Over 80 Boats Compete in Trans Benco Cruise Race on Lake Garda
Over eighty boats registered for the 13th edition of the Trans Benco Cruise Race – Inoxpran Trophy, which set sail this morning, Saturday, July 24th, from Portese Harbor heading towards the finish line, at Riva del Garda, for the first leg.
An unforgettable spectacle, with sails filling the water surface in front of the Salò gulf, made even more evocative and exciting when the skippers ordered the hoisting of the colorful and vibrant spinnakers.
Decisions made by nearly all crews, and normally unusual at the start of a morning race on Lake Garda, to take advantage of the few gusts of wind coming down from the surrounding valleys, only to die out over the lake.
A slow departure, with some penalties for early start, as the Boarén wind mixed with a light Ora that, as the boats moved up the lake, continued to strengthen, bringing almost all participants to the finish line in Riva del Garda within the maximum allowed time.
The race was largely played, especially in the initial part, with cleverness and knowledge of the Garda winds and, at least until near Gargnano, by luck.
This will certainly not be the case for the second leg which, starting from Riva, will head tomorrow morning, Sunday, down to Portese.
Wind Conditions and Participants
On the upper Lake Garda in the early morning, the Peler always makes an appearance and the descent becomes almost a speed race.
This year, the Lisa, the boat to beat as the reigning champion after winning the last two editions of this Trans Benaco, was missing at the start, as it is increasingly establishing itself in the most important and popular regattas of Lake Garda.
In the evening, the participants to the vintage car gathering of the Circolo Seduzioni d’Epoca joined the racers at Riva del Garda. Traveling along the western Garda road, taking a detour to Tignale for a midday snack, they then reached the Fraglia Vela square in Riva del Garda by evening.
Results and Awards
The first boat to cross the finish line at Riva was the Crocera D My Vida, commanded by Donnino Sperzagni, at 3:00 PM, followed 11 minutes later by the Crociera E Te Dur, skipper Luca Bianchi.
Two minutes later, it was the turn of the monotype Lady B, followed by the Crociera C Cabila.
For the Crociera O class, Mediatel finished in first place; Motorola First, by Cesare Pasotti, won in the Asso 99 category; and Quasar, with Luca Valerio, topped the Ufo class.
Having to cede the top spot was Arlechin, by Laris Gaiser, who was penalized and had to relinquish first place to Tiger X 79, skippered by Riccardo Signoretto.
Tomorrow’s results, combined with today’s, will determine the final standings of this edition of the Trans Benco Cruise Race.
The awards ceremony, to be held at the Park Hotel Casimiro, will also feature the presence of the new Sports Councillor of the Provincia di Brescia, Alessandro Sala.
