Roberto Benamati Guides Principessa to Third Wall of Fame Victory at Garda Marathon
Roberto Benamati has signed on for the third time the Wall of Fame of the «Centomiglia del Garda». This time, the Malcesine-based champion led «Principessa», the Maxilibera of boat owner Joschi Entner, to victory. This edition of the Garda marathon, which celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, was filled with twists and turns.
Race Development and Initial Overtakes
Immediately after the start, «Zeta Line» took the lead, lining up alongside the Desenzano skipper Oscar Tonoli was Claudio Ciccio Celon from Torres. They were followed by «Principessa» and «Raffica» by Luca Valerio. During the approach to Sirmione, near the Rocca di Manerba, the gennaker of «Principessa» exploded, yet it was promptly replaced.
The three frontrunners kept close control of each other, sailing along the Brescia shoreline, while the fresh Peler wind gradually decreased in strength until it turned into calm waters right in front of the Sirmione buoy. «Zeta Line», «Raffica», and «Principessa», all very close in position, passed the mark in front of the Grotte di Catullo. At the Desenzano buoy, «Zeta Line» was again in front, with the presence of the Verona-born Manuel Modena shining on it, while «Raffica» and «Principessa» kept a close watch on each other.
Strategies and Final Sprints
Few minutes later, Benamati executed the first masterpiece of the day: thanks to a clever insight, he managed to make the most of the tricky breezes of the Lower Lake and leeward of «Zeta Line» and «Raffica». A narrow but invaluable lead that allowed «Principessa» to emerge first from the tangled situation in which almost all of the over 300 boats in the race had become ensnared.
The splendid solo run of «Principessa» materialized at the Bogliaco passage, where she moved three minutes and thirty seconds ahead of «Zeta Line» and six seconds over «Raffica». In the Upper Lake, Benamati and his crew added more fuel to the fire, passing the Limone buoy with a five-minute and forty-five-second lead over «Zeta Line», while «Raffica» was just behind in third.
«Principessa» was also first at Malcesine and further increased her advantage, which at the Acquafresca di Brenzone passage grew to seven minutes. Then the very light Eolo wind tried to shuffle the cards again, providing only weak puffs. Only «Raffica» benefited from this, managing to overtake «Zeta Line», while «Principessa» had already been in port for nearly a quarter of an hour.
Final Comment and Victory
«The crew was fantastic — said Benamati — we managed to perfectly tune the boat. I am also satisfied because Principessa can only improve; it was a great team effort».