Brazil is the South American representative on the Nations Cup Grand Final
Brazil will be the representative of South America at the Nations Cup Grand Final in September in the United States. The division skippers Henry Haddad (Open) and Juliana Senfft (Women) won the Nations Cup Regional Final, held from Thursday until Saturday at the South Sailing in Porto Alegre. Apart from Brazil, Argentina and Peru also participated.
The South American qualifier had moments of many disputes, but the best was the last day. At the end of the Open division, Haddad defeated Argentine Juan Grimaldi by 3-2 in best of five series. The Brazilian had a nervous start in the final, lost the first race and scored two penalties in matches of the series. Grimaldi sailed very well, proving to be an experienced helmsman.
In the decisive race for the two, the Argentine was the leader, but had a penalty. He managed to take the penalty on the second upwind leg and stayed ahead. But soon after the windward mark, Haddad was able to take the lead on the downwind leg and would not let your opponent pass him. The two boats came so close that the victory was decided by the tip of the bow. A true match race. After crossing the finish line, Haddad and his crew, formed by Mario Trindade and Victor Demaison, celebrated the achievement too.
"Grimaldi and I’ve met in several championships. The round robin was more relaxed, but in the end we had difficulties. I think it was overconfidence, we should have been more conservative since the beginning. When we dare to hand, everything has improved. Match race is so quick decisions Mistakes happen, "says Haddad.
The Brazilian skipper is very pleased to be back at the Nations Cup Grand Final in 2009, ranked second in the competition which was also held in the Veleiros do Sul, in Porto Alegre.
In the women’s division skipper Juliana Senfft and her crew Nicolino Gabriela and Daniela Adler ended the South American qualifier unbeaten, both in the round robin as well as the finals. They won 3-0 over the team led by Peruvian Tania Zimmermann. Although not scored any points in the final series, the deputies did put her best races in the competition, including threatening the Brazilian. The skipper Senfft was thrilled with the result that served as encouragement for his team, having been in 3rd place in Pre-Olympic Brasilia in February.
"It’s nice to see a rematch of the Nations Cup Final, when we represent Haddad and Brazil. In 2009 we were in 6th place, now our goal is to improve the classification. We’ve competed five times in Sheboygan, we even have a family that hosts us there. The Nations Cup is a beautiful and competition will be our main focus this year, "says Senfft, who now thinks of further training. It is also part of the framework of the Navy and will represent Brazil in the World Military Games sailing in July in Rio.
The ISAF Nations Cup, the International Sailing Federation is the world cup match race between nations. The Grand Final will be in Sheboygan, USA, 13-18 September. Through July, there will be held seven more selective in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, North America and the Caribbean. The Nations Cup Regional Final - South American was sponsored Marcopolo and Grupo Randon, with support of Conventions & Visitors Bureau of Porto Alegre.
Open Division:
Henrique Haddad, Mario Trindade and Victor Demaison (BRA)
Juan Grimaldi, Francisco Van Avermaete and Rafael De Martis (ARG)
Daniel Mendoza, Giancarlo Polar and Wilfredo Lafosse (PER)
Women’s Division:
Juliana Senfft, Gabriela Nicolino and Daniela Adler (BRA)
Tania Zimmermann, Nathalie Zimmermann and Jimena Gaviņo (PER)
Martina Silva, Ana Lucia Silva and Trinidad Silva (ARG)
Translated from the Veleiros do Sul website: www.vds.com.br
