79 sailors from 28 Countries were marching in Gaeta
Among the 17 Italian competitors, Poggi, Paoletti and Baldassari

fighting for the last chance to Rio 2016

Gaeta, May 7th 2016 – Yesterday the “Finn Gold Cup 2016” officially started at the Base Nautica Flavio Gioia, in Gaeta (Italy). The Opening ceremony has been preceded by a long and suggestive parade, with the local police and the institutional actors marching on the Lungomare Caboto with flags from all the countries. Races will start tomorrow, May 8th and will finish next Friday, 13th May, with the Medal Race.

The Finn Gold Cup has finally been returned in Italy, after 27 years of missing. The Yacht Club Gaeta E.V.S. and the International Finn Association organize the event in conjunction with Sezione Vela Fiamme Gialle, Club Nautico Gaeta, Lega Navale Italiana Sezione di Gaeta and the patronage of Comune di Gaeta and CONI Comitato Regione Lazio.

79 sailors from 28 Countries will challenge for the Gold Cup. Among them, the 3-times World Champion Giles Scott, from Great Britain, and Jonas Hogh-Christensen, silver medallist at London 2012. The Italian group (with 17 athletes) is full and rich of talents. Giorgio Poggi and Filippo Baldassari, which took part at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Enrico Voltolini and Michele Paoletti are challenging for the last chance to represent the Italian flag at the Games of Rio 2016. It’s also important to notice the youngest competitor in the race, Federico Colaninno, born in 1999, son of Nando Colaninno, who participated in the Sydney 2000 Olimpic Games.

They Jury’s commission will be headed by Peter Reggio.

Bjorn Allanson, Vice-President of Finn Class Association, underlined the importance of the Association’s commitment in bringing back the World Championship in Gaeta, after 27 years from the last time. “I think that Gaeta’s atmosphere helped us to find one of the most beautiful location for sailing in the World. I usually work to organize sport events, in particular looking at the youngest generations, so I am very proud to take part of this international race. I would like to express a special consideration for Italian athletes whose are competing for a pass for the Rio 2016 Olimpic Games”, Riccardo Viola, President of CONI Comitato Regione Lazio, stated.

“It’s the third time that Gaeta organizes a World championship. That’s a clear sign of the strength of our cooperation and of the importance to work together, partners and institutions, to let Gaeta have a great opportunity and visibility. I want to give a special thanks to the Base Nautica Flavio Gioia, within we want to enforce more and more our collaboration”, Luigi Coscione, Vice-Mayor of Gaeta, commented.