Italy and Greece lead in Windsurfing after Day 1 of the Youth Olympic Games

In light winds, Italian and Greek windsurfers took an early advantage on the first day of racing at the Youth Olympic Sailing Competition being held out of Club Nautico San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Girl’s and Boy’s Windsurfing fleets were first up at the Games, starting one day ahead of Boy’s and Girl’s Kiteboarding and the Mixed Nacra 15 fleet, all of which begin competing tomorrow.

But initial light winds across the racing area meant that the opening races of the competition were delayed, before Day 1 wrapped up early with only two out of three races sailed.

The Girl’s fleet were first to compete – their opening race began at 14:38 rather than 12:00 as scheduled – and the status quo was quickly established, with the same athletes finishing amongst the top three in both races.

Youth Sailing World Championships bronze medallist Giorgia Speciale (ITA) took an early lead with two wins out of two, and the Italian is keen to avoid complacency over the next week.

“It’s a difficult course because it’s very shifty and you have to think a lot,” she said.

“I had a good two races but they are only the first two – we have another 11 to go.

French and Russian windsurfers traded places between both races, with Yana Reznikova (RUS) finishing second in Race 1 and Manon Pianazza (FRA) taking second in Race 2, leaving them tied on five points.

“It was so hard because there was not much wind – it is difficult to sail in and we need to pump,” commented Pianazza.

“I have made a very good start and I will try to keep this rhythm for the rest of the week.”