With initial clear skies and then continuous cloud cover from early afternoon, the first day’s racing at the Olympic Eurolymp regatta took place on Lake Garda yesterday.

After two races in the Mistral class, the Italian Andrea Beverino (2nd and 1st, Aeronautica Militare Sailing Section) is in the lead ahead of the Slovak, Patrik Pollak (1st and 4th, ATU Kosice) and the Italian and Sydney Olympics gold medallist, Alessandra Sensini (4th and 2nd, Genova Yacht Club).

In the Men’s 470s (28 boats) the day’s podium finish went to the Germans Zellmer-Krabbe ahead of the Italians Ivaldi-D’Apote (C. Nautico Rimini), while in the Women’s 470s (8 boats) the German crew of Truebel-Kussatz put in a first class performance. Out of the medals were the Italians, Richelli-Micol, who finished sixth.

In the Finns, the Sydney Olympics silver medallist, Luca Devoti from Garda, finished 13th, beaten by familiar rivals. The current European champion, Emiliou Papathanasiou, was first ahead of the Czech, Michael Maier, second and the German, Michael Fellmann, third. The Finn class has the most participants with 42 boats on the start-line.

The first Star class race (12 crews), however, was won by the French crew of Sevestre-Berenuier, and in second place the Italian Nicola Celon teamed up with Edoardo Natucci. Among the Tornados (6 crews), victory went to the colours of the Italian Yatch Club with Marcolini-Maldina ahead of the other Italian pairing of Sonino-Bruni.

In the six-strong 49er fleet, the German crew of Markus-Morits dominated the racing over Sibello-Sibello from the Italian Guardia di Finanza.

The first race in the 31-strong Laser fleet was won by Diego Negri (Italy) with Croatian helmsmen, Aron Loli and Luka Radelic in second and third respectively.

The new women’s Yngling class and the Europe class did not race.