And the association said "let there be wind, sun and an excellent organisation!"
... and so it was.

The Swiss Open was held at the Circolo Vela Arco between Torbole
and Riva on Lake Garda and it was a resounding success. It confirms in
no uncertain terms the quality of the venue for the European
Championship in 2012. 

85km in nine Races over three days, with the wind ranging from 15
to 25 knots in clear, sunny skies, made for very happy, tired faces in
the boat park packing up to go home on Sunday evening. From all the
competitors came a big thumbs up to the club and to the SACA for making
the decision to hold the event in strong reliable wind.

51 entries from as far away as New Zealand and the United Kingdom
arrived at the CVA for this regatta, many coming days early to train and
get up to speed in the clockwork conditions that prevail on Garda. The
racing got underway at 13h00 everyday when the Ora had filled in from
the South, the average time for the races was 45 to 50 Min. with very
little waiting between races and we were off the water again by about
16h00/30. Dinner in the evenings was provided by the club and served
from their own Kitchen, the food was outstanding and the evenings
sociable. What more can one ask of an organising club.

What is clear is the fact that Garda is a speed venue, the
tactical overtaking possibilities are relatively few, velocity is
definitely king here.
The new DNA's (Chris Field and Roeland Wenthold) seemed to
enjoy the wind and waves and  finished 1st and 2nd respectively, also
very impressive downwind in the heavy conditions
was Alberto Farnesi on his new Märström, his result also confirms that he
was consistently fast.  After 3 days of superb sailing Chris field (DNA)
emerged as the Swiss Open winner with eight 1st places and a 2nd place,
second was Roeland Wenthold (DNA), 3rd place went to Bob Baier.
(Nikita),  4th and best Swiss was Luc Dubois (Scheurer G5) and 5th place
Giovanni Calabria (new Flyer).

What have we learnt from the German Open last year and the Swiss
Open this year?  There is very definitely a big demand for racing in
these kinds of conditions at a reliable venue, they attract a strong
fleet and are a lot of fun, these 2 events have shown that cross border
events are possible and good, who is going to step up and organise the
next one before the Europeans in 2 years time?

Finally our very grateful thanks go to the Circolo Vela Arco for
their great organisation on and off the water, for their hospitality and
their professionalism, they have done sailing in their region proud.

Daniel Gut

SACA President