(Riva del Garda, Italy)- The Italian J/70 series has continued to grow
in popularity as more teams take delivery of their new boats and others
in the fleet continue to improve in their capabilities to compete at the
front of the fleet. Like their American and European counterparts, the
learning curve is very fast, so much so that new teams with just a few
weeks of practice and/ or regattas can be sailing amongst the top five
quite easily. Reflecting the experience of the top American teams, the
fleet depth increases to the point where placing all top five finishes
becomes an increasingly difficult proposition.The Italian fleet, despite its relative size compared to the American fleet, is already experiencing fleet “equalization”. A good sign the J/70 is proving that it’s not only easy to sail for Italian women and youth, but also for a combination of teams from the most experienced one-design world champions to top local club racers!
For their most recent event on Riva del Garda, the J/70s enjoyed medium strong and steady North winds, perfect to complete the six races on schedule for the 5th event of the Italian J/70 National Circuit.
The fleet experienced great course setting, organized by one of Garda’s most experienced local experts- the 82 year old Mr Menoni, the Chairman of the Race Committee. He was working like clockwork with his friend, Fausto Da Pre, who was responsible for all mark setting- an incredibly difficult job considering the 300 meter depth of this fascinating lake.
Despite the rapidly ascending experience of the J/70 fleet, for one more time the winner was Carlo Alberini with his team aboard CALVI NETWORK. From the middle of the Adriatic Sea, Alberini has great one-design experience and a very good team- he was the only team to lead with two 1st places on top of consistent scoring.
Nevertheless, despite very close racing with Piero Saccomanni with SPIN ONE, the outcome could’ve been very different. Saccomanni’s team from the Northern Adriatic region could’ve won the event! Without having to take a penalty in one of the races, Piero might have been able to take the overall win for the 5th J/70 Coppa Italia event!
Gianluca Grisoli, the owner/driver from northwestern Italy sailing MA.GI.E, showed very consistent sailing with top finishes never worse then fourth. For their first major event in J/70s, there were very excited, taking not only third on the podium, but having the great satisfaction of a dominating win in the last race with perfect tactics and most excellent speed on every point of sail.
The Italians J/70 sailors are having a fun time. It seems that each new owner and each new boat has a chance of getting a podium finish! The Italians owners like the fact they can easily tow their J/70's to the lovely mountain region in northern Italy to sail on the fascinating Lago di Garda- one of the world’s most spectacular bodies of water to sail!
Next on the Italian as well as European J/70 fleet circuit is the J/70 Europeans being held in the same place by the same host- Fraglia Vela Riva del Garda on Lago di Garda’s gorgeous waters- from September 24th to 27th- Register now at- http://www.fragliavelariva.it/en/regatta/1571/view. For more Italian J/70 sailing information
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