The standings at the halfway point of the championship: the gaps at the top increase
Second day in Brindisi for the Edison Next 2024 Italian Offshore Sailing Championship, which lines up 46 boats divided into two groups of different classes for hull size. Two more long and intense trials engaged the crews, who left the Marina di Brindisi around 11 and returned at 17. The wind on the second day blew from the North, with an intensity of 13-14 knots in the first trial, increasing to 15-16 knots in the following one. Even the short wave with small breakers made the regattas and maneuvers at the buoys spectacular.
Two very regular regattas also from the point of view of the management of the course and the buoys: on the dock, during the pasta party at the FIVillage, many sailors commented positively on the work of the Race Committee, which resolved some problems highlighted on the opening day and related to the irregularity of the wind. The improved visibility of the self-positioning buoys with electric motor was also appreciated by the sailors.
THE RANKINGS OF THE TWO GROUPS AT THE HALF OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP
In Group 1 (Classes A and B, Racing and Cruising divisions), even after four races in the lead, the Estonians of Sugar 3, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Ott Kikkas with Italian tactician Sandro Montefusco on board, who had another remarkable day with 2-1 in the heats, are extending their lead. The race for the title starts from second place, where Sideracordis, Pier Vettor Grimani’s X41 for Compagnia della Vela Venezia (solid 3-2 placings on the day), remains firmly in the lead. Eight points behind but recovering is the reigning champion Morgan V, Swan 42 owned by Nicola De Gemmis from Bari (Circolo Vela Barion), with Enrico Zennaro on board, among others, in third place, but first in Class A.
Difficult day for two of the favourites: Reve de Vie, Grand Soleil 43 of Ermanno Galeati and Angelo Davide (Circolo Nautico Sanbenedettese), and Guardamago III of Massimo Romeo Piparo (CN Riva di Traiano), another reigning champion, who they chase in fourth and fifth place, while Blue Sky, Swan 45 owned by Claudio Terrieri (Yacht Club Hannibal) which among others has Tommaso Chieffi on board, rises to sixth place.
In Group 2 (Class C, Cruise and Race divisions), three identical boats in the leading trio: Sarchiapone Fuoriserie, Italia Yachts 9.98 owned by Ligurian Gianluigi Dubbini (Yacht Club Sanremo, 1-2 today), with Lorenzo Bodini and Roberto Dubbini on board, takes the lead with a gap. Detached respectively by 9 and 11 points are the second Take Five Jr, another Italia Yachts 9.98 owned by Roberto Distefano (Yacht Club Porto San Rocco) (2-8), and Unpopergioco, also an Italia Yachts 9.98, owned and helmed by Niki Vescia of LNI Trani (4-1). Of note in this Group of smaller boats are two boats in the Ecoracer 30 class, the first boats built with totally recyclable fibers by the Italian startup nlcomp.
Speaking of sustainability, in the morning skipper’s briefing at FIVillage, sailors were reminded of one of the innovations born from the collaboration between Federvela and One Ocean Foundation: the inclusion in the Altomare Regulations of the role of the on-board Ecological Manager, which was described in detail by Alberto Leghissa, a sailor from Trieste who, as an owner, launched the idea two years ago.
RESCUE OF A TURTLE – The sailors of the Italian Altura Edison Next of Brindisi witnessed a beautiful moment at sea between the first and second race of the day. A sea turtle in obvious difficulty approached one of the buoy-laying dinghies, from which it was taken on board and brought ashore, to be entrusted to the care of the young biologists of the marine protected area of Torre Guaceto, not far from Brindisi.
Friday is the third and penultimate day of the Italian Altura Edison Next in Brindisi, with the start of the fifth race also scheduled for 12.
