2nd World University Match Racing Championship
Rimini, Italy - May 23rd to May 30th, 2004
The Title for Sweden
With twelve participating teams, the second edition of the World University Match Racing Championship, won by Sweden, was a great success.
Sailing has been on the sports programme of our championships for quite some time, but Match Racing appeared for the first time during the 2002 edition which took place in Quiberon (FRA). This very technical team sports is a smaller replica of the ‘America’s Cup’. The sport consists of two boats sailing against each other on quite a simple course (windward-leeward’ course), which they sail twice. The boats constantly accomplish manoeuvres, particularly as they approach the starting zone. It could almost be compared to a duel between two competitors in fencing with the rapid movements always made side by side. This requires expert knowledge of the rules and maximum concentration.
The French delegation
This year, the Second World University Match Racing Championship was organised by the Bologna branch of CUSI in the bay of Rimini. This seaside town situated on the Adriatic coast is surrounded by the foothills of the Apennin mountain range. For the competition, the participants benefited from the know-how of the local Sailing Club which provided vessels called Blue Sail 24, very pleasant regatta boats that move lightly, rather rapidly for their category - the perfect craft for this kind of competition.
Mr Tamer, Mr. Coiana & Mr. Ravaioli
The on-water organisation of this WUC was excellent and the participants were supported by the boats of the Organising Committee while waiting for the next race in good conditions. It must be emphasised, that the number of teams entered was higher than the number of boats available. The boats were then rotated in order to allow each team to compete. Finally, the logistics of his Championship were greatly facilitated by the proximity of the sports and accommodation facilities. The hotel was situated at the sea front, only 500 metres from the sailing club from which the boats left.
Opening
The opening ceremony of the Second World University Match Racing Championship took place in the historical centre of Rimini. The participants were warmly welcomed by the residents and local dignitaries. Children from the primary schools of Rimini and the region took part in the march of the delegations and guided the participants from the ‘Arco de Augusto’ to the Town Hall situated on the ‘Piazza Cavour’. The ceremony itself took place on this square. First, the vice rector of the University of Bologna, Prof. Luigi Busetto welcomed the participants and thanked them for accepting with such enthusiasm the invitation of CUSI (the Italian University Sports Federation) to host this competition. He was followed by the President of the local Organising Committee, Mr. Francesco Franceschetti. In his speech Mr Franceschetti underlined the importance of the student spirit that guides the participants; a spirit that brings people together and favours sharing and friendship and above all the spirit of fair-play. The representative of the FISU Executive Committee, Mr Kemal Tamer then took the floor. Mr Tamer thanked the local authorities and particularly Mr Leonardo Coiana, President of CUSI, Mr Francesco Franceschetti, President of the OC, Mr Vittorio Beletti, President of the Executive Committee of the OC and finally Mr Alberto Ravaioli, Mayor of Rimini. Mr Tamer then invited Mr Ravaioli to open the Second World University Match Racing Championship.
Team France 1 vs. Team Poland
France Takes the Lead
The competitions started the following day, Tuesday, under a magnificent sun and a thermal wind. After the first two rounds of races, the French no.1 crew led by skipper Maxime Fages took the lead with 9 victories out of 11 races. The French crew 1 demonstrated confidence and consistency in their competition. After only two rounds, Maxime Fages and his crew were in the running for the final victory even if nothing was certain at that point. The American crew came in second led by skipper Carlos Reynolds. Carlos had shown his thirst for victory from the beginning of the competition and it must be acknowledged that his crew demonstrated superb mastery. Close on their tails were the Swedes and the Italians (ITA 1) and the British who were formidable outsiders.
Organizing Committee
CUS Bologna Contact: Vittorio Balletti, Sailing Manager Via S. Giacomo 9/3 40126 Bologna - Italy phone: (39.051)4217319 fax: (39.051)240578
The Title for Sweden
On the penultimate day of racing, the competitors had poorer conditions and the last qualifying matches for the finals on Saturday were competed in the rain and a changeable wind (in terms of direction and strength). By the end of this day, the positions had changed radically. In fact, Sweden and Italy (crew no.1) third and fourth respectively after the two first days of racing, overtook their competitors and gained a place in the final. The Great Britain team also did well, qualifying for the match for third place against France 1.
Closing Day
The closing day of the championship started on a slightly sad note, which is unfortunately common for sailing competitions. In fact, the bad weather left the organisers with no option but to cancel the classification matches for the 5th to 12th places. Previous classification was taken into account. The Organising Committee decided not to cancel the finals and to wait for better conditions…which finally presented themselves in the afternoon. The finals for the first four places were then launched. However, the racing conditions remained difficult with a rather agitated sea and quite a light wind. In this context, the Swedish won two matches out of three against the Italians (team n°1). The Italians were held back by the difficult conditions and only rarely did they manage to come close to the Swedes. In the battle for third place, Great Britain won by two rounds to one. In fact, the French crew had two false starts which allowed the British to take the upper hand. We hope to meet again at the third World University Match Racing Championship to be held in Palma de Mallorca in 2006.
Final Ranking
1. Wilberg – SWE - GOLD 2. Savelli – ITA 1 - SILVER 3. Hall – GBR - BRONZE 4. Fages – FRA 1 5. Reynolds – USA 6. Kliba – CRO 7. Delliste – FRA 2 8. Stanczyk – POL 9. Horsch – GER 2 10. Calì – ITA 2 11. Andresen – GER 1 12. Horvart – SLO
The medallists of the 2nd WUC Match Racing:
SWE - Gold, ITA - Silver, GBR - Bronze
