J/133 CHESTRESS 2 Wins Coppa Carlo Negri
(Portofino, Italy)- The Regate Pirelli - Coppa Carlo Negri, organised by the Yacht Club Italiano, in collaboration with the Circolo Velico di Santa Margherita Ligure ended on Sunday. The first round of racing took place in optimal weather conditions with Sirocco winds of 16 knots. The second round started with winds of 12 knots, decreasing throughout the day, causing the race committee to shorten the course. After four days of racing in the Coppa Carlo Negri Perpetual Challenge the J/133 CHESTRESS 2, sailed by Giancarlo Ghislanzoni from Yacht Club Italiano took overall honours in the largest class (IRC A) that saw forty-seven yachts competing. The J/109 FREMITO D'ARJA sailed by Marcello De Gasperi sailed very well to finish second in IRC B.
The event sees the creme'd'la'creme of Italian yachting participating since it honors one of Italy's most prominent yachtsmen, Beppe Croce, the historic president of the Yacht Club Italiano and the only President of the ISAF from a non-English speaking country, having held the post for 17 years. It was created in memory of Beppe Croce's friend, the aviator Carlo Negri, the son of Margherita Pirelli, holder of the gold medal for military valour, who was killed in Albania on 24th September 1943 during a voluntary action, while taking part in a mission to rescue a group of Italian soldiers surrounded by German troops. Established in 1945 as a perpetual challenge trophy, the Coppa Carlo Negri was donated by Margherita Puri Negri in memory of her brother. Participating in this year's Coppa Carlo Negri were members of the Loro Piana fashion house in Milan, Pierluigi Loro Piana, sailing his large sloop MY SONG. Also competing was yet another Italian fashion house leader, Leonardo Ferragamo, owner of Nautor/Swan in Finland. Leonard sailed his Swan 42 CUORDILENE into second place behind Giancarlo's J/133 CHESTRESS 2 in IRC A class.
In the forty-seven boat IRC Class A, there were three other J's competing, including Andreas Farber's J/122 NIKITA in 10th overall, Marco Fantini's J/133 JAM in 25th and Federico Piccini's J/122 SMIGOL.
The fourteen boat IRC Class B also had two other J's sailing, including Daniele Fogli's J/109 EL CHICO in ninth and the Gabbai-Cohen team sailing their J/92 DAJENU in twelfth. More Yacht Club Italiano information For more Regate Pirelli Coppa Carlo Negri sailing information