Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Italian J/24 National Circuit Report

J/24 sailing Italian circuit (Rome, Italy)- Sailing off their familiar port of Anzio & Nettuno, southwest of Rome, a fleet of twenty-four J/24s took part in the first installment of their five event Italian J/24 National Championship.  After seven races in the three-day series, it was the LA SUPERBA team from the Italian Navy that won the event by a landslide scoreline of six 1sts and one 2nd!  Their team was comprised of skipper Ignazio Bonanno and crew of Simone Billete, Alfredo Branciforte, Francesco Picaro and Vincenzo Vano.

“On the first day, the weak wind allowed just two races.  Then, on Saturday, characterized by winds up to 15 kts and big waves, we completed four races. Unfortunately, on Sunday, after one race we had to get back to shore because of the strong storm,” explained the President of the Italian Class J24 Pietro Diamanti.  “In the name of all competitors, I want to thank the race committee chaired by Anna Sargenti, always friendly and a star of our class. Thanks also to Michele Micalizzi who, assisted by Francesco Facci, presided over the protest committee."

The winners of the first and last races was ITA 447 PELLE NERA sailed by Paolo Cecamore and skippered by the Soling World Champion, the Hungarian Farkas Litkey; they took second place with 17 pts.  Third was Diamanti’s JAMAICA with 22 pts total.  Rounding out the top five were Massimo Mariotti’s AVOLTORE (skippered by Francesco Cruciani) with 27 pts in 4th position and in 5th place was Vincenzo Mercuri’s MOLLICONA (helmed by Angelo Crepoli) with 35 pts.

With this victory, the crew of LA SUPERBA are also the first qualifier worldwide for the 2018 J/24 World Championship in Riva del Garda on Lago di Garda- that, by the way, includes as one of its sponsors the Vatican City of Rome and maybe even Vincenzo Onorato’s family business- MOBY LINES!  Count your fortunate blessings, now, for such a generous group of supporters!   For more Italian J/24 Class sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.