Pure Domination for Champions Tita & Banti
The story of the 2022 World Championships in Halifax was easily that Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti won 14 of 16 fleet races winning the title before the medal race. It can’t be denied that, as Australian coach Darren Bundock put it, the pairing is a “class above” the rest of the world. “Today there […]
Second is the New First
“They have a different gear than the rest of us. They are good at swapping modes.” – Carson Crane, USA34. Crane’s understated assessment of Tita/Banti (ITA) after the Italian’s 2, 1, 1 finishes expresses the collective truth that this team is not letting up at this European Championship. So let’s talk about today’s standouts! Sinem […]
Nacra Re-Sets as Teams Explore Full Flight
A 12th at the Tokyo Olympics was not a dream result for Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson (NZL). Yes, Dawson was nursing a massive injury. But the shift to a fully foiling Nacra 17 in 2022 interestingly fit beautifully into their skills sets from other full flight campaigns (SailGP, Moth, Flying Phantom). And today, at […]
Kiwis and Germans Stretch Legs, Inch Up Ladder
There must have been something “right” about Vittorio Bissaro’s frame of mind this morning as he crouched in the gravel boat park while meticulously taping the inspection port on one of his Nacra 17 hulls. He and Maelle Frascari are world champs in the class but have been leaving double digits on the the table […]
Not-Quite-Survival for Nacra Fleet Opens Door for New Campaigners
Finish driver Sinem Kirby shook her head as she stretched her lifejacket over her head, standing in a puddle of fresh water. The day was a blur for her and the 32 Nacra sailors who all had to manage with 30-plus knot gusts and massive shifts to foil above the waves on the first day […]