On July 14 in Malcesine, Northern Italy, 19 sailboats took off for the Esse 850 European Open tournament on Lake Garda.

As the winds blew at a perfect speed of eight to 20 knots, teams from four nations participated in nine competitive sailing regattas.

Team Ottocinque, with Alain Marchand at the helm, was able to secure the lead in four bullets on day one. It was a lead that sailboat SUI 172 would not give up for the remainder of the race. SUI 153 and SUI 156, piloted by Robert Hartmann and Daniel Schroff, finished second and third place. Congratulations!