Spain prevails

Platu 25 Worlds came to a close in Portosin

After 11 very competitive races at the Plata 25 Worlds in Portosin, Spain, the Portuguese Credite EGS of Afonso Domingos and Hugo Rocha, is the winner of the Platu 25 World Championship of 2013, tied at 25  points with the Italian Euz II Monella Vagabond,a helmed by Sandro Montefusco, who was  relegated to second place for having more first positions.

The Spanish E para comer Lugo, helmed by Gonzalo Araújo, completed the podium with 31 points, six points from Montefusco and Domingos.

The sailboat sailed by Araújo was one of the strongest candidates to win, but the sixth place that he got in the penultimate race, let the Spanish team down, after they had been leading the championship for most of the week.

Fourth place went to the local boat commanded by José Manuel Pérez and Alfredo Mella. Red Bull Racing Eyewear, from the Royal Nautic Club of Portosín, finishing on 33 points after excellent participation in the World Championship, always in the top positions.

Fifth was Bribón-Movistar, of Marc de Antonio and Sofia Bertrand, from the Sanxenxo RNC/Barcelona RNC , that with their 38 points executed a great comeback after suffering several problems in the first races, which made them fall to positions where they usually aren’t.

This World Championship has been one of the tightest of the last  few years, with the winner decided in the last race. This proved to be a complicated course, with large oscillations in wind direction and strength, which made this Championship very tough and unpredictable.

Until yesterday the direct fight for the top step on the podium seemed to be between E para comer Lugo, helmed by the Platu 25 Spanish Champion Gonzalo Araújo and EUZ II Monella Vagabonda, owned by Francesco Lanera and helmed by Sandro Montefusco, two time World Champion and three times Italian Champion.

"It has been a complicated World Championship weather-wise, with a wind that rapidly changed during these days," said Afonso Domingos, Credite EGS skipper "But as the strength increased we were feeling more comfortable. This Championship has had a high level. Everything was decided in the last race, and that says it all. I'm leaving Portosín very happy, not only for winning the title, but also for the great job that the Royal Nautic Club has made both at sea and ashore with the Regatta Village."