News & Events

Pimaco Challenge 2008, Brazil

Fabio Melchert wins the final round and Denis Tassone is sent to the World O'pen Cup! 14-15 June 2008

 

After six months of knock-out trials with the best youth sailors from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, 4 sailors from each region were selected to compete in the final event to be held at Ilhabela, São Sebastião, São Paulo.

The match up proved to be an interesting contrast of competitors with 3 of the 4 sailors from São Paulo coming from the Navigate project of Ilhabela - a social sailing program (see below), the other competitor being the 420 National Champion, and the 4 competitors from Rio making up some of the best Optimist sailors from the National Fleet.

On the first day 5 races were completed in the traditional East wind of Ilhabela. Fabio Melchert built a strong lead from the outset with 3 wins and two second places. Denis Tassone followed in second place with Michael Lousada in third. All three sailors went into the final day with a comfortable lead ahead of the rest of the pack.

Sunday provided a strong contrast in conditions with the first race held in very light winds, where Caio Swan from Rio won very easily. However, on the last two races the wind increased to 20 knots allowing both Fabio & Denis to consolidate their position at the head of the standings.

As Fabio Melchert is also the National Brazilian Representative at the ISAF Youth Worlds in Denmark, and this event is being held at the same time as the World O'pen Cup, he gave his place to Denis Tassone to go and represent Brazil in Carnac, France, 19-21 July 2008.

Denis is a result of the Navigate Project of Ilhabela, a social sailing program started back in 2002 through a partnership between the Municipal City Hall, the Federal Government, and the sailor Lars Graël. Since it opened its doors, more than 1200 students have learnt the basics of sailing and gone on to represent the region in national and international competitions. Check www.projetograel.org.br for more information about this project.

After the success of this first event, the future of the O'pen BIC looks bright with plans to spread this event throughout each of the main sailing centers in Brazil : Florianopolis, Porto Alegre, Bahia and Brasilia. More details to follow as soon as possible.

The O'pen BIC... for ENERGIZED sailing!!! 

Final Results :

1. FÁBIO MELCHERT
2. DENIS TASSONE
3. MICHAEL LOUZADA
4. NICOLAS DE JESUS
5. CAIO SWAN
6. LETÍCIA N. SÁ
7. GABRIEL TOLENTINO
8. RICARDO LUZ