The Optimist Excellence Cup 2012 opened with a full house and more than 24 completes events in the waters of Torrevieja.
The V International Trophy ”City of Torrevieja” opened last Friday, January 27th , with nearly 300 sailors. In total over 500 people including participants, coaches, and family of the organisation.
The V International Trophy “City of Torrevieja”, first Excellence  test in the optimist circuit, was held from 27th  to 29th January, three days of maximum excitement on land and at sea and with a complex meteorology, which still allowed the group to complete 9 races for Gold, Silver and Group 8 and Group 7 for Bronze. In total, 24 competitive tests, the Committee had to waive the  ‘black flag’, that is, the sailors had to stay behind the start line one minute before the end of the countdown, not to be disqualified from the roster.
The final day of racing dawned with brilliant sunshine but low temperatures. The wind returned to do his thing. It started with streaks of 7 to 8 knots of westerly direction, to move slowly northwest and north-northwest and gusts exceeding 15, going up to 17 knots.
In terms of ratings, the committee established three final groups: yellow, gold or the more advanced Group. The Silver Group for which those who were located in the middle of the table, and the Green or Bronze for the less experienced.
Although the procedure of the “ black flag” was used again, the sailors risked the most, and this again accounted for some disqualifications. The group was more nervous than the Silver Azur, which despite the black flag, started in several general calls. When the wind picked up, the Committee decided to send the Bronze Group ashore, which was only able to complete one test. The Silver or Blue, made two, and gold, yellow, made three.
Although during the first two days the Swede Eric Nevhagen, emerged as undisputed leader with four consecutive partial victories, but in the end, was the Slovenian Liam Orel which took top honors with 55 points. It became more than a partial victory. Alfonso Fernandez, of the Tenerife RCN was second, the first Spanish classified with good participation, a personal victory in round 7 and 60 points overall. The Spaniard Marc Llado, Sa Rápita CN completed the podium, with 63 points and line honours in the 5th test. The fourth and fifth of this group were for the Murcian Golden Rafael de la Hoz NCTM Alcazares, with 76 points and Eric Nevhagen, Sweden, with 77 points. The best female was Irene Sanchez, MM Cn Los Alcazares, also in eighth place overall absolute gold with 90 points. The first competitor for Torrevieja was David Azurmendi.
The first three in the Silver group, with 8 races held, were: Luis Collell, CV Puerto Andratx, with 166 points, Arnau Guillemat of Cambrils CN 185 and the Finnish Carl Hasselblatt, with 199. For group C, with 7 events held, the first three were: Elisenda Rahola, NC El Balís, with 275 points, the Dane Martin Michelsen, with 280 points and Mario Sanchez of Costa Blanca Alicante CN, with 284 points.
The awards ceremony was conducted by the Mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolon, president of the AECI, Francisco Coro, the president of the Sailing Federation of Valencia and the president of RCN Torrevieja, Germain Soler. Also present were Daniel Plaza and Luis Ma. Pizana, sports and tourism council of Torrevieja, respectively, and the sailing authority of the RCNT, Carlos Carmona.
After the awards ceremony, we proceeded to the distribution of great gifts offered by the brand BIFRUTAS Pascual, the group ranked first gold, silver and bronze, and the draw of 4 CITIZEN sports watches. The Hotel La Laguna Spa & Golf, Hotel gave two vouchers: one for the first classified RCN sailor, David Azurmendi, and the other was drawn among the members and visitors who were registered on the stand that the Hotel La Laguna installed in the RCNT.