{"id":43916,"date":"2019-07-15T20:12:10","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T00:12:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=43916"},"modified":"2019-07-15T20:12:10","modified_gmt":"2019-07-16T00:12:10","slug":"italys-marco-gradoni-becomes-three-time-optimist-world-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/italys-marco-gradoni-becomes-three-time-optimist-world-champion\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy\u2019s Marco Gradoni becomes three-time Optimist World Champion"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A RESOUNDING win for Italy\u2019s Marco Gradoni brought the 2019 Optimist World Championship to an end on Monday as the 15-year-old claimed the winning title for an incredible third consecutive year.<\/p>

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Competitors battled it out on the water in Antigua amid high winds and a punishing current in an intense day that saw elation for some and disappointment for others.<\/p>\n

A small craft advisory earlier in the day saw the bronze and emerald fleets \u2013 which included the host nation team \u2013 relegated to the sidelines. The Antigua Meteorological Office had predicted gusts as high as 28 knots and waves up to three metres, causing race chiefs to cancel races for the lower two fleets.<\/p>

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But the weather was no match for Gradoni whose \u201cperfect performance\u201d propelled him to an electrifying finish, almost 20 points clear of his closest competitor.<\/p>

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\u201cThere were good winds of about 15 knots and a lot of current; I got two good races,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am really happy \u2013 I think the realisation will hit me more in one or two days.\u201d<\/p>

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Already 15, this year\u2019s competition was Gradoni\u2019s last, but he added that he hoped to eventually make a career out of sailing.<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s coach Marcello Meringolo said: \u201cToday was difficult because there were many guys who were very strong but Marco performed perfectly.\u201d<\/p>

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A few false starts had increased the tension among the young competitors.<\/p>

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\u201cThat made it hard but Marco started very easy and free. They were perfect conditions for him and he got to the finishing line fast,\u201d Meringolo continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the third time Marco has been World Champion so he has written history for the Optimists class; it will be very difficult to beat that record.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he will continue with the sport and go on to the Olympics.\u201d<\/p>\n

The championship was a particularly proud one for Meringolo with Team Italy also securing first place in last week\u2019s team racing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a story not just for Marco as an individual but for the whole team,\u201d the coach added.<\/p>\n

Malta\u2019s Richard Schultheis, who had been in the top spot for the first two days of fleet racing last week, finished second.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday was the final day so I just tried to keep my position and stay on the podium. I did not push too much and I sailed safe,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Forging new friendships with counterparts from other nations is a central tenet of Optimist sailing, which is open to youngsters up to the age of 15.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a really nice event with beautiful conditions, and everyone always together and having fun,\u201d Richard testified.<\/p>\n

He may be only 14 but this year is likely to be the last event for Richard too.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have sailed in the Optimists for several years and now I would like to move on,\u201d he said, adding he hoped to venture into faster WASZP foiling.<\/p>\n

Delight at securing third spot was palpable from Spain\u2019s Jaime Ayarza, 13.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am feeling great because I had really good results and I am really happy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy objective was to enter the top 30; I didn\u2019t think I would get so high. It was quite windy and difficult today but I managed to finish well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ayarza is now looking forward to next year\u2019s championship which will take place in Italy\u2019s Lake Garda.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope to come next year and try my best and be in the top five. I think it would be really difficult to become a professional sailor but if I have the opportunity I will,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Spain saw additional success by claiming the top placed girl; Maria Perello, 14, finished in 25th<\/sup>\u00a0position in the leader board.<\/p>\n

In fourth place overall was Turkey\u2019s Can Erturk with South Africa\u2019s Ian Walker March in fifth.<\/p>\n

Monday night\u2019s prize-giving ceremony will see Gradoni presented with the Beacon Challenge Club. Gradoni and Perello, as top placed boy and girl, will also receive luxury Italian designer Locman watches as special gifts.<\/p>\n

Gold, silver and bronze medals will also be given out, along with prizes for the first 20 sailors.<\/p>\n

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