German and Local Teams Win at Lotteria Grand Prix Sailing Event
The team paired with the team from Germany, captained by the Prince of Bavaria Luitpold von Bayern, won the Lotteria Grand Prix, an event organized by the Comunità del Garda and the Circolo vela Gargnano. The result was determined by the total of the results from the boats in the classes Asso 99, Protagonist, Dolphin, and Optimist, which were selected through a draw held at the end of the three races that took place on the lake between the Brescia shore and Castelletto. Yesterday, only one race was contested.
Race Format and Participants
The rather intricate format of this competition required the four competing classes to race simultaneously with staggered starts. Consequently, it was difficult for spectators to follow the outcome of the races, even though the buoys were placed close to the Gargnano Sailing Club’s marina. The German team included, besides the Prince of Bavaria’s Asso 99, the Dolphin «Brenzone», skippered by Castelletto champion Federica Salvà, the Protagonist «Piccolo Principe», and the Optimist sailed by the young Riva del Garda prodigy Fabio Zeni.
The Slovenian team finished in second place, presenting, among the Asso class, the champion Igor Straus; in the Protagonist class, «Assante» skippered by Leonardo Larcher, who brought actress Barbara Blanc on board; the Dolphin «Brenzone» led by former European champion Star Silvio Santoni; and in the Optimists, Giovanni Grandi from Verona, representing Flagia vela Peschiera.
The Austrian team finished in third place, participating in the Asso class with an all-female crew led by Ines Daghl; in the Dolphin class, ocean navigator Simone Bianchetti; and in the Protagonist class, «Irma la Dolce» skippered by Edoardo Mata.
Debuts and Prizes
The Lotteria Grand Prix marked the sailing debut for industrialist Giovanni Rana, who was onboard the Protagonist «Giò Disaster». “This was my first time on a sailboat. It was a wonderful and exciting experience. It’s possible that in the future my company might get involved in sponsoring sailing competitions.”
For some years now, my son Gianluca has been supporting Olympic athlete Torri Nicola Celon, who is a close friend. To thank him, Nicola named his boat San Luca.
As a matter of fact, the “king of tortellini” boat was paired with the Hungarian team, which finished last. Today, the draw will be held to determine the prize pool of the Lottery. The first prize is 2 billion.