First day of Platu25 Worlds goes to Bribón and Kyra

[Source: Platu25 Class] After a long wait until late afternoon, the 2009 Platu 25 World Championship started officially at 17 p.m. In Punta Ala there were 93 teams coming from all over the World. With a very weak wind – no more then 6-7 Knots – the crews could complete just one regatta.

They were divided in two groups: the blue fleet started before, followed just five minutes later, by the yellow one.

Between the blue fleet, today the Spanish crews were absolutely the best. The first place is for “Bribon-Movistar” of Josι Cusi, with Marc de Antonio at the helm (Real Club Nautico de Barcelona): they confirmed the most optimistic forecasts. We should remind that “Bribon” last year, during the 2008 Platu 25 World Championship in Greece, conquered the third place, and this year they managed very well during the Spanish Championship.

Bribón-Movistar, leaders of the blue fleet. Punta Ala, 29 September 2009. Photo copyright Jesús Renedo / sailingstock.com

At second place there is “Iberconsa” of Fernando Lago (YC Argentino Club Maritimo Ca), the President of the Spanish class, followed by “Tuypan Caixanova” of Alberto Garcia (Rcn Vigo). The Greeks of “Modus Vivendi – 3 Alfa Kostas” – they were 2008 Platu 25 World Champions – conquered the 7th place, showing to be highly competitive.

Between the Italians, the best team in the Blue fleet is “Menef 8” of Marco Gambardella (Ccrl) that obtained the 4th position, followed by “Jhaplin 007” of Novi Boglione Chalp Scarabosio (Yc Italiano).

In the yellow ranking list, the first is the German “Kyra” of Herman Muller (Byc) followed by the Larian crew of “A Sail 1Ma” of Dulio Bassani, with Roberto Spata, a very talented tactitian, on board (Lni Mandello del Lario). In this case a team of “sweet water” yachtsmen showed, in the very thirst day, all its own competitive potential.

The third place is for “Profumo” of Michele Valiante (Crv Italia) and 4th is for the German “Randale 3” of Ingo Lochman and Christian Maedel.
Very good position for the Italian “Brera Hotels” of Emanuele Vitrano, with Alberto Wolleb at the helm and Paolo Montefusco as a tactician: it concluded 5th.

Kura, leaders of the yellow fleet. Punta Ala, 29 September 2009. Photo copyright Jesús Renedo / sailingstock.com

Between the favourites, there is Nanuk” of Gianrocco Catalano, with Luigi Ravioli at the helm that arrived 7th in the yellow ranking list. “Bros”, the Japanese team – an other favourite boat on the eve of the Platu 25 World Championhip – had a Ocs (early start) and now it lies on the bottom of the yellow ranking list

Tomorrow, if the wind allows, the competition will really start: there should be at least three regattas. That’s enough to mess the ranking lists up.

The 93 crews coming from three continents will keep on compete under the careful eyes of the International Panel, formed by the President Luciano Giacomi and by the members Manuel Sales Grade, Costas Tsantilis, Bruno Tamburini, Jean Pierre Grosgogeat, Maria Torrido. The Jury Committee, chaired by Giuseppe Masini, is composed by da Emanuele Sacripanti, Giovanni Capitani, Sergio Agresti and Nicola Cirella.

Start of the day's one and only race. Punta Ala, 29 September 2009. Photo copyright Jesús Renedo / sailingstock.com

Platu25 Worlds 2009 - Leaderboard on day 1 (Top ten)

Blue Group
1. BRIBON - MOVISTAR
2. IBERCONSA
3. TUYPAN CAIXANOVA
4. MENEF 8
5. JHAPLIN 007
6. VIS
7. MODUS VIVENDI - 3 ALFA
8. MISSTRESS
9. JERRY SPEED
10.LA REVOLTOSA

Yellow Group
1. KYRA
2. A SAIL 1MA
3. PROFUMO
4. RANDALE 3
5. BRERA HOTELS
6. VILAGARCIA
7. NANUK
8. IBERDROLA
9. BASTIAN CONTRARIO
10.MOJITO

Marc de Antonio, helmsman of Bribón-Movistar. Punta Ala, 29 September 2009. Photo copyright Jesús Renedo / sailingstock.com