Congratulations to the crew of Exabyte: Shaun Frohlich, Duncan Truewell and David Bedford on their win in Rosignano, Italy in the Etchells European Championships.
GREAT SUCCESS OF THE ETCHELLS EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP - MOTOMAR TROPHY 2012 that took place in Rosignano Solvay on June 8-10, 2012 thanks to the organization by the Etchells Italian Fleet and the collaboration of the local Yacht Club Cala de' Medici. A real European Championship with great international champions, with the participation of sailors since the previous week end, from Great Britain, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Greece, USA and of course Italy. Six races were run, since on the final day of Sunday the Regatta Committee lead by Fabrizio Gavazzi decided to stop the races because of the poor weather conditions. The races were perfect in their organization and were vied with precision and determination by the attendants, that fought until the last race with a result of two teams sharing the first place in terms of score. The winner for the best placings was the outgoing champion Shaun Frohlich with Ducan Truewell and David Bedford on EXABYTE GBR 1352, that got the best placings with a medium strong wind of 24 knots and waves formed by the sirocco of the first day. The second placement, with the same score, went to George Andreadis with Jeff Madrigali and Tony Rey on EFIRA II GRE 1295. Following at the third place the evergreen Dennis Conner on MOTOMAR USA 1060 with Vincent Brun and Julie Servais, a team that was very comfortable with the mild wind of the second day, where they scored two first and a third places.
On fourth position we find the first placement for Italians with PAOLA owned by Gian Luca Poli with Patrizio Cau and the great helmsman Roberto Prandini, that confirmed they deserved the Italian title they won on the previous Sunday. The final prize giving was nice and rich, where everyone expressed great satisfaction, in the presence of the President of the Club, the Mayor of Rosignano Doctor Franchi and the counselors Agostini and Pia that confirm their support to the class in the organization of the next World Championship, that will take place in the same period and sea area at the beginning of June 2013.
On Sunday the Etchells European Champion was decided without the boats leaving the dock on the 3rd and final day due to large waves caused by a storm surge in the Mediterranean. In the picturesque Tuscan Coast at Rosignano Solvay Shaun Frolich sailing with Dave Bedford and Duncan Trusswell on Exabyte won the championship for the consecutive year Exabyte was tied on points with George Andreadis’ Efrya both having 2 first 2 seconds and a 3rd, but Exabyte was discarding a 4th to Efyre 6th, and closing up on both boats only 3 points behind was Dennis Connors sailing USA 1060 with Vince Brun and Julie who also scored 2 firsts, but the race committees sensible cancellation of day 3 meant that the last 2 races were not sailed.
European Championship sailing conditions over the previous 2 days ranged from 28kts down to 3 knots but with very little movement in the wind winning races was all about good starting, straight line speed and smart crew work, and Exabyte consistency won her the event.
One of Shaun's highlights from the championship was a tacking duel that he had with Dennis Connors on day 2, even though he could not get past Dennis, Shaun commented that it was surreal, he could never have imagined going up against one of the worlds all time greatest sailors. But the excitement wasn’t limited to the sailing, lunch time starts of the racing meant that the younger members of some crews were able to enjoy late night swimming in the warm waters of the med as the bars had all closed.
At the prize giving Shaun and all of the owners thanked Marco and Otto Cimarosti for organising a great regatta at such a wonderful location giving them an insight into what to expect for the Worlds 2013 which will be held at the same location at the same time of year.