Italy

Postive trends for Italian fleet

F brizio C zz , owner of he eau iful Volpina, ITA 33, repor on ac ivi ie in I aly a ome cla ic rega a and he addi ion of everal new cla ic o he flee .

The Italian class continue a positive trend with new classic boats joining the fleet: Rabicano, ITA 55, of Ferdinando Zanoletti and San Michele, ITA 43, of Alberto Villa. They brought us new enthusiasm and are tuning their boats.

We choose to participate in events that could be attractive for the location, the character of the sailing club and for our love of classic boats.

The 2019 Season with a few regattas on Lago Maggiore to take away the winter rust, after the class focused on two main events: the Italian Open in Mandello Lario in June and the Vele Storiche Viareggio in October. Two boats based near Trieste raced also in the Trofeo Città di Trieste and the Barcolana Classic in October.

The event at Mandello Lario was professionally organized by the local sailing club and enjoyed perfect wind conditions, and we had seven boats participating. The only Evolution present, Whisper, ITA 57, of Richard Leupold won five of the six races with a hard competition for the other positions.

In October the class joined the Vele Storiche Viareggio event surrounded by 50 beautiful classic boats. We were present there with six boats with a dedicated windward – leeward course, we managed to race on Friday (very light wind) and Saturday (12-18 knots), on Sunday the wind was blowing at 25 knots and we were ordered to stay in harbour. Whisper again was the winner, followed by Violetta IV, ITA 21, of Giangiacomo Stefanon and Manuela V, ITA 36, of Guido Tommasi.

On October 6 two boats took part in the historic Trofeo Città di Trieste: Kukururu, ITA 6, of Giuseppe Matildi and Violetta IV, ITA 21, of Giangiacomo Stefanon. They had an exciting start with a bora of 25-30 knots that later became 15 knots. At the end they got the first two places in their class (Open B), a great result despite the difficult start. The club has a magic atmosphere and ancient tradition.

The Barcolana Classica on October 12 had light winds of 4-6 knots, and again a fantastic result for Kukururu and Violetta IV who finished second (after the 12 Metre Kookaburra) and fourth (after the 8 Metre Aria). We love the spirit of the Barcolana Classica, so different from the popular and overcrowded Barcolana.

While we were sipping white wine in Trieste, Carabella, ITA 73, of Alfredo Delli was sailing (in a container) to Sydney to take part at the Worlds in Pittwater where she represented the Italian Class with honour, but this is a 2020 story.

The current season will start with the beloved Enoshima Trophy and continue in the fantastic locations of Sanremo, Imperia and Viareggio. A lot of salty water this season.

Top: Carabella sailing at Newport in 2020 Above: Volpina on Lake Como