Topcat Worlds in Punta Ala - ITCA
Topcat Worlds in Punta Ala - ITCA
Topcat Worlds in Punta Ala - ITCA
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<strong>in</strong> <strong>Punta</strong> <strong>Ala</strong><br />
The <strong>ITCA</strong> has never before organized a large championship on<br />
a campground and the 6. World Championships were everyth<strong>in</strong>g<br />
but a “campground regatta” – but we’ll get to that.<br />
For most of us the journey to <strong>Punta</strong> <strong>Ala</strong> was certa<strong>in</strong>ly long and a<br />
bit of an adventure, other th<strong>in</strong>gs aside we had a mast that got<br />
k<strong>in</strong>ked <strong>in</strong> the forest and a broken axis on a trailer but the location<br />
of the grounds, the beach and the weather certa<strong>in</strong>ly did compensate<br />
for that. The check-<strong>in</strong> procedure at the campground wasn’t<br />
Italian at all … but then it was.<br />
Caused by the unfortunate drop out of Ingo I found myself <strong>in</strong><br />
the role of <strong>ITCA</strong> representative though the only th<strong>in</strong>g I was really<br />
long<strong>in</strong>g for was sail<strong>in</strong>g. Can you imag<strong>in</strong>e hav<strong>in</strong>g a meet<strong>in</strong>g with<br />
an Italian race committee and an Italian jury if you are not<br />
speak<strong>in</strong>g a word of Italian? My s<strong>in</strong>cere gratitude goes to Uwe for<br />
his support.<br />
The Friday prior to the championships was marked by wonderful<br />
weather and a weird onshore w<strong>in</strong>d. The measurement team was<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g diligently and quickly the boats are sitt<strong>in</strong>g on the shore,<br />
ready to race. Some go out to sail but the surf and waves are certa<strong>in</strong>ly<br />
<strong>in</strong>fus<strong>in</strong>g respect.<br />
What exactly was the description of the estuary? “There is a<br />
thermal breeze of 3-4 bft every day between April and October,<br />
though the sea is never that rough that sail<strong>in</strong>g wouldn’t be<br />
possible”<br />
Well, sounds good.<br />
The practice race on Sunday wasn’t started on time but at some<br />
po<strong>in</strong>t of time it started. The w<strong>in</strong>d isn’t really keep<strong>in</strong>g its promises<br />
so the race has to be abandoned soon and everyone’s back on<br />
shore <strong>in</strong> eager anticipation of the open<strong>in</strong>g ceremony.<br />
We all meet at the <strong>Punta</strong> <strong>Ala</strong> Camp<strong>in</strong>g Resort Ma<strong>in</strong> Restaurant<br />
for a first jo<strong>in</strong>t even<strong>in</strong>g, we meet the jury and the race committee<br />
and we’re work<strong>in</strong>g our way through a several course d<strong>in</strong>ner.<br />
Fortunately Roberto, the resort’s chief enterta<strong>in</strong>er is a real pro and<br />
a decent help. I should have known that I was supposed to give an<br />
open<strong>in</strong>g address but somehow I must have missed that po<strong>in</strong>t.<br />
To be honest I was really happy when that day had passed.<br />
<strong>Punta</strong> <strong>Ala</strong> 2009<br />
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