67th Centomiglia — not a typical Garda Lake experience
In 2017 Kwindoo for the third time in consecutive years was the official partner of the Centomiglia. Race organizing, tracking, broadcasting and also the complete information flow to the competitors and the viewers was within the Kwindoo system. The use of Kwindoo tracking application was mandatory for all the boats, and although the race committee did not check the tracking individually, Kwindoo could be used as a proof in case of a protest hearing. Most of the fleet used the system: 144 boats out of 150. The viewers were enthusiastic: thousands watched the regatta via the live view application or the website. Each boat had approximately 50 returning and regular follower during the regatta!
Lake Garda is a classic sailing destination. The wind is typically predictable and stable — but this time, on the 67th Centomiglia it was not the case! It was a really hectic day: from lull to hail everything was on the menu on the 9th of September.
Several Hungarian sailors participated in the regatta, mainly high-tech sailing boats: two Extreme 40s, the libera class Raffica, a real old team on Lake Garda and a Flaar 26RR, a light monohull helmed by Lajos Varga. All these boats came here to possibly stand on the podium, so they all picked experienced Italian sailors aboard to help with local knowledge.
The Peler, which is the morning’s northern wind was missing this day thus the fleet started in light, local breeze at 8:30AM from Bogliaco. Even the multihulls could not escape from the rest, they sailed with 4–5 knots speed to the first mark at Torbole. The first boats rounded the mark around noon, all of them still together; the first mono- and multihulls chasing wind stripes. It was as late as 3PM when they got back to Bogliaco and the bigger part of the regatta, the complete southern region was still ahead. The speed was set by the multiple time Centomiglia winner Clandesteam, an Italian libera boat, close behind the Italian AC&E Sicurplanet — Crazy Horses Extreme40, the German Itelligence M32 and the two Hungarian Extreme40s. At 6PM the first boats were down at the southern mark, rounded first by Clandesteam. At the same time the rest of the fleet just arrived half distance at Bogliaco. Difficult conditions started around sunset: stormy gusts came down to the lull, bringing sudden hail. The last 15 miles were really challenging, head to head sailing was exciting. Despite leading the whole day Clandesteam could not hold its position in the last part: AC&E overtook the lead and finished first overall — you can watch this gripping duel at 6:30PM in Kwindoo replay. See the distance between the two by clicking on both boats, they were really close at some points!
There was also a big fight for the third place. It seemed like either Itelligence or Team Extreme was going to gain, but finally the laughing third THE RED got the bronze! A thrilling duel again, watch it in Kwindoo at 7PM! At last the rest of the fleet was gaining speed by the evening wind, most of them reached Desenzano before midnight. Although at night the wind decreased again, many boats successfully completed the regatta before dawn.
The 67th Centomiglia was not a typical lake Garda sailing experience. The unpredictable circumstances left space for more tactics and excitement. It is extremely useful to watch the tracking in these cases as we all can learn a lot from the edgy situations. With Kwindoo Analytics the competitors can relive and analyze their course, check their speeds and manoeuvres, also compare their data with their rivals.
We are very proud that we could contribute to such a prominent regatta. Appreciate the trust of the organizing club, Circolo Vela Gargnano and also the agreement in advance: next year we will also have the opportunity to work together!
Tracking replay: https://www.kwindoo.com/507-centomiglia-67th/tracking
