Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Uruguay’s Garra Victorious @ J/24 South Americans

J/24 sailing Brazil South American championship (Porto Alegre, Brazil)- Brazil's neighbors were the best in the South American J24 Class Championship which ended on Sunday in Porto Alegre, hosted by Veleiros Do Sul YC.  The continental title went to the Uruguayan EXTASIS Sailing Team, skippered by Pedro Garra from YC Punta del Este.  Second overall went to the Argentine Nicolas Cubria sailing WORKNET and third went to Brazil’s C’EST LA VIE Sailing Team, skippered by Henrique Dias from the host club- Veleiros do Sul YC.

The regatta had seven races for the dozen teams competing for the South American title. The outcome of the regatta came down to the last leg of the last race!  It was a fight to the finish between EXTASIS and WORKNET. But, it was the Uruguayan EXTASIS crew of Pedro Garra, Juan Real de Azúa, Ivan Guicheff, Alejandro Carluccio and Matias Garcia that won the finale.

J/24 South American champions- Porto Alegre, Brazil"That was our first South American J/24 title, after having competed in three consecutive editions. The championship was spectacular with good racing and a lot of wind. Our adversaries, like Nicolas Cubria from Argentina, sailed very well and we knew it would be a tough race," said Pedro Garra, who in October also won the Buenos Aires Sailing Week and also races in the J/70 class.  Garra said the Brazilian C’EST LA VIE crew sailed well, “they were in the running with us for most of the regatta.”

The skipper of C’EST LA VIE, Henrique Dias, said, “unfortunately, we had a rough time in the last race, but overall it was a fun regatta! We finished third, which is a good position for us.” Dias’ team included Vilnei Goldmeier, Alexis Knebel, and Frederick Sidou (Marilia Bassoa and Michele Oliveira swapped each day).   Sailing photo credits- Ricardo Pedebos/ Veleiros do Sul  For more J/24 South Americans sailing information