(Anzio & Nettuna/ Cagliari/ Taranto/ Cervia, Italy)- The J/24s
continue to see a strong, and growing, resurgence of sailing across
Italy. Perhaps a throwback to fun times in the past, or a recognition
of the ease and fun of finding one cheaply and sailing it with family
and friends, focusing on good times, not simply winning at all costs.
Whatever the secret ingredient, it's increasingly apparent the Italian
J/24 contingent, much like their Australian friends and Argentinean
friends (now World Champions), that simply going out, having fun and
messing around in boats is a great thing. With a few thousand J/24s to
tap into, it's pretty easy to get fleets rolling for next to nothing in
terms of cost and effort.At this stage, there are four "winter championships" taking place in Italy in various parts of the country. In Anzio & Nettuna, just south of Rome along the western coastline of Italy, they've had their third weekend of sailing with TWENTY NINE boats, including several from Hungary and Chekovia! Luke is winning the series so far, followed by Marco Vincenti in second and Paulo Perinelli in this, Massimo Mariotti in fourth and a women's team led by Manuela Santarcangelo in fifth!
In the Puglian J/24 fleet, they enjoyed a gorgeous SSW 13 kt breeze this past weekend, allowing the SEVENTEEN teams to have three excellent races on the port of Taranto, hosted by the Sailing Club Ondabuena. Currently, JEBEDEE sailed by Antonio Macina leads the fleet after five races. In second is DOCTOR J sailed by Team Sandro Negro, third is MATI LTD sailed by Angelo Lombardo, fourth is LUMACHI sailed by Carlo D'Errico and fifth is MARBEA skippered by Marcello Bellacicco.
"The
J24 fleet in Puglia was born in the 90's when our monotype experienced
the greatest spread in Italy and worldwide, with about 5,400 boats
produced at the turn of the twenty-first century, while nationwide it
sold 450 boats in Italy! The races were frequent and professional
sailors took turns in the leadership role to drive about seventy boats
that once trod the fields of every race. Then the birth of more and more
new monotypes led to a decrease in the number of boats. But, the
timeless J/24, a solid boat with good performance in all conditions, was
slowly brought back to new owners and crews, so that now you go back to
J/24 regattas with over fifty boats! The Pugliese J/24 fleet follows
the trend with a crescendo of followers from 2008 to present-- today,
many events are concentrated in some areas, but it's expanding again!",
says the Chief of the J/24 Fleet in Puglia, Nino Soriano. Nino also
mentioned the creation of a new website for the fleet- please visit http://flottadipuglia.altervista.org
In
addition to the growth and developments of the J/24 fleet in Puglia,
over in Cervia they were recently hosting the Pirini Stefano Memorial
Winter Championship with SEVENTEEN boats! This past weekend they saw
everything- too much wind, fog, no wind, rain on the first day. But, the
second day was glorious- sun, fresh mistral of 12-14 kts and calms
seas, good enough for three races. At the moment, CAPTAIN NEMO is
winning sailed by Dominic Bright. Second is KISMET sailed by Antonio
Antonelli and third is Joc Fabio sailing APOLLONIUS SOCIETY TRIESTINA. "A special 'Thanks' to the Friends of the Nautical Club de Cervia, they know how to organize and run a great event and 'Thanks' the sponsors Slam and North Sails who provided gadgets and discount coupons," commented Guido Earnings.
Finally, on that island nation many call Sardinia, the Winter Championships Cagliari were taking place for the Trofeo Ciabattai, hosted by the YC Cagliari. An excellent FIFTEEN boat turnout for the Sardinian J/24 fleet saw an unusual, but fun, sailing conditions on the island- strong westerlies from 265 degrees blowing 15-20 kts in flat seas off Marina Piccola. Amongst the leaders of this event are VINEYARDS SURRAU, BOTTA STRAIGHT, LIBARIUM, LYBISSONIS and "Armadillo Racing". There are great expectations for the last weekend of J/24 in Cagliari, December 17 to 18 when six races are planned and, hopefully, the champion will be determined! For more Sardinia Island, Italy J/24 sailing information For more Italian J/24 sailing information
