{"id":6626,"date":"2025-09-14T18:41:54","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T18:41:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.centrovelicopuntaala.it\/windsurfer-class-2025-european-championships-in-punta-ala-concluded-after-5-intense-days-of-racing\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T19:00:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T19:00:34","slug":"windsurfer-class-2025-european-championships-in-punta-ala-concluded-after-5-intense-days-of-racing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.centrovelicopuntaala.it\/en\/windsurfer-class-2025-european-championships-in-punta-ala-concluded-after-5-intense-days-of-racing\/","title":{"rendered":"Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 concludes in Punta Ala after five intense days of racing"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Windsurfer Class European Championship 2025 came to a close on Sunday, 14 September at the Centro Velico Punta Ala. This edition saw over 180 competitors from 16 countries battling it out over five days of racing. <\/em><\/p>\n

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The Gulf of Follonica lit up with the iconic sails of the Windsurfer Class, turning every launch from the private beach of PuntAla Camp & Resort <\/a>into a scenic spectacle.<\/p>\n

The event kicked off on Tuesday, 9 September in challenging conditions, with a thunderstorm making the racecourse unworkable on day one. In the following days, light and shifty winds tested the Race Committee and the sailors alike, who nevertheless showed resilience and true sportsmanship. All eight course races on the program were completed for the men\u2019s weight categories (A, B, C, D) and the Women\u2019s category, as well as the spectacular Long Distance, held at the very last moment on the final day.
\nAll eight course races on the program<\/strong> were completed for the men\u2019s weight categories (A, B, C, D) and the Women\u2019s category, as well as the spectacular Long Distance<\/strong>, held at the very last moment on the final day.<\/p>\n

The days were long and demanding: starts often delayed, long waits on the water, races running until sunset and a big physical effort for the athletes. After the postponement on the first day, hopes for the Long Distance <\/strong>seemed to be fading again on Sunday, when the lack of wind kept the fleet ashore until midday. <\/p>\n

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But at 13:15, just as the time limit for the last warning signal was about to expire, a gentle westerly breeze at 6\u20137 knots filled in\u2014enough to hoist the Delta flag and launch the marquee race, with around 150 boards on the water at the same time. Too bad for those who thought about heading home early, convinced it would be a write-off of a day. <\/p>\n

The excitement erupted and everyone was ready to hit the water. That was the moment the true Windsurfer spirit shone through: despite the fatigue of the previous days, everyone wanted to be there, to finish in style with the most spectacular race\u2014the one with all the colorful sails out together on the sea. <\/p>\n

The course\u2014a two-lap, one-mile loop with downwind, upwind and reaching legs\u2014delivered a unique show in front of the resort\u2019s beach. After roughly an hour and a quarter of racing, Andrea Marchesi (ITA 017, Associazione Vela Sabazia, cat. A) was first across the line, followed by reigning world champion Alessandro Torzoni (ITA 90, LNI Olbia, cat. B) and Luca Frascari (ITA 013, East Bay Yachting Club Anzio). <\/p>\n

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Full Long Distance ranking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Freestyle<\/strong> also took center stage, firing up the crowd at sunset in front of the Beach Bar at PuntAla Camp & Resort, between happy hour and a DJ set. Not valid for the overall standings, but hugely appreciated and well attended: creative tricks and plenty of fun once again highlighted the playful, engaging spirit of the Windsurfer Class. <\/p>\n

Women<\/u>: 1st Valeria Zullo (ITA 1710), 2nd Giulia Cocco (ITA 263)
\nMen<\/u>: 1st Stephan Louw (RSA 069), 2nd Nicola Spadea (ITA 2019), 3rd Marco Di Benedetto (ITA 3020), 4th Skir Nederpelt (0030), 5th Luca Del Gato (399), 6th Sam van Diepen (704), 7th Emile Martinie (13), 8th Michele Genna (1311), 9th Alain Blondeau (38), 10th Yuki Castrone (6751), 11th Leonardo Di Francesco (327).<\/p>\n