The locals, Gabriel Browne (BRA 50) , Victor Melo (BRA 2497), Fabio Melo (BRA 74) and Mathias Pinheiro (BRA 5) had been training hard during the week’s before the event.

The event took place at the Marina Park Hotel where many Formula events have taken place before, including the Formula worlds in 2007.

The event was held over 4 days, with the new, ISAF approved RS:One class holding their race on the 19th.

In the Formula South Americans, Gabriel used his superior speed and local knowledge to sail his way to victory with ease and take his first South American championship by such a margin that he did not even have to compete in the last 3 races on the final day.

Casper fought hard on the last day and finished in second followed closely by Paulo and Victor Melo. These three sailors were extremely close on points and it all came down to the last race to decide between 2nd, 3rd and 4th position.

Aldo Maia was the 1st youth racer over the finishing line, and Monica Veras took 1st place in the womans division.

Special thanks to the organizers and the race committee for putting up a great event.

For event website: www.windbrasil.com/formula/formula-fortaleza2011

Photo credit: Courtesy Windbrasil