F18 Argentina: Pre Nats Racing

This weekend we had some practice races for the F18 Arg Nats next week.
Already with international presence: Pierre Le Clainche and Antoine Joubert  (7th at Balaton and first French crew) and Hunter Stunzi (Current North American Champ with Robbie Daniel)
3 races on Saturday with perfect 14knots conditions and some tricky (but flat) weather yesterday.
Esteban Blando/Nico Aragonés dominated the fleet at will, with 5 bullets and an impressive performance.
They raced on Esteban’s Wildcat/SI that I helmed with him at the South Americans.
Ian Rodger-Juan Martín Benitez (C2) showing they are capable of more with a super consistent event, 2nd. Current champs Smith-Heuser (MKII) 3rd.

The French team is trying to adapt to the Infusion (mk1 with Longboards and some little issues).
Talked to Hunter, Pierre and Antoine and they were impressed by the level of our fleet. Stunzi, that is crewing for Sergio Mehl on a C2 commented that in the US they have a group of top racers and the rest a level below, but he felt that here they were all good.
I will have a interview with them later on the week.

Only pratice and the real deal will come next Friday, but good to see how competitive our fleet is getting with no one having a secured spot at the top.
I’m helming a brand new MKII of Esteban Daneri, 54 and crewing like the best! hope to be in his shape and pushing hard 16 years from now…

So if you think you are up to the challenge, come and race with us, you’ll have wind, good vibes and a tough group of Argies F18 fanatics giving you a run for your money.
Gunnar Larsen is coming on Wednesday and we are expecting to have +20boats on the lineup.