Audi J/70 World Championship – Duncan is top of the world

by YCCS on 17 Sep 2017 The Audi J/70 World Championship, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in collaboration with the J/70 International Class Association, and with the Title Sponsor Audi, and Official Sailmaker Quantum Sails.

With numerous General Recalls, Black Flag in play, and a full on foam up. The Audi J/70 World Championship had a thrilling climax to remember for years to come. With sparkling sunshine, a significant sea state, and a warm westerly breeze, piping up to a ballistic 30 knots, the world's largest championship sportsboat fleet enjoyed a fantastic finale.

Peter Duncan is the Audi J/70 World Champion, after a stunning performance, scoring podium finishes in every race, including three race wins. American Brian Keane's Savasana scored a second in the final race, moving up to runner up for the championship. Italian Luca Domenici moved up to third in the final race. Italian Claudia Rossi's attempt to become the first lady helm to win the title was ended with a Black Flag in the final race.

Gold fleet
Audi J/70 World Champion: Relative Obscurity (USA), Peter Duncan - Diaz de Leon.
Second: Savasana (USA) Brian Keane - Stu McNay. Third: Notaro Team (ITA) Luca Domenici - Diego Negri.

Gold Corinthian Class Winner: White Hawk (ITA) Gianfranco Noè. Second: Marnatura (ESP) Luis Bugallo. Third: Give Me Five (FRA) Robin Follin.

Silver Fleet Overall Winner and Corinthian Winner: Noberasco Das (ITA) Alessandro Zampori.

'Awesome! Top of the world!' Exclaimed Peter Duncan dockside at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. ' It is a great feeling, I have sailed with some great guys, we had a great event, and everything seemed to go our way, it was just one of those weeks. It is hard to put into words how I feel like now, but this was just exceptional. This fleet has some really great talent, and the organizers, and the yacht club have done such an amazing job. Most of all I want to credit the crew, Victor, Jud, Willem, have been just fantastic.'

Runner up was Savasana (USA) Brian Keane. 'We chartered the J/70, so we are really pleased to have come second in the championship. I have been racing in the class since the beginning, and now that we have fleets racing J/70s all over the world, the standard is just amazing, and so is this regatta. A world record keelboat fleet in superb surroundings.'

Top team for the host club, YCCS, and first team with a Lady Helm, was Petite Terrible (ITA) Claudia Rossi. 'Peter Duncan is a worthy World Champion, his team sailed the best this week. Our fourth position is better than fifth in the last World Championship, so maybe I will not win for three years!' Laughed Claudia. 'However I will be in Marblehead for the 2018 J/70 World Championship.'

The Closing Ceremony and Awards for the Audi J/70 World Championship was held at the Piazza Azzurra. YCCS Commodore, Riccardo Bonadeo spoke about the event before presenting prizes to the winners.

'Congratulations to all of the winners at the Audi J/70 World Championship. This is a special year for the YCCS, as we are celebrating our 50th anniversary, over the years we have hosted many world championships. However, this is the largest world championship fleet hosted by the Club in all of those years. It has been a pleasure and an honour to welcome over 160 teams from 25 different countries, to enjoy the fantastic sailing grounds of the Costa Smeralda, and the Clubhouse at the YCCS. I would like to thank Audi the Title sponsor of this event, and our partner for a long time, which supports us in so many of these new challenges. I also want to thank the J/70 International and Italian Classes, the owners, their crews, the Race Committee, the International Jury and all the YCCS staff. We hope that all of the competitors will come and race again with the Club in the very near future.'

The 2018 J/70 World Championship will be hosted by the Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead, Massachusetts USA. 22nd to 29th September, 2018.

The next regatta organised by the YCCS will be the Audi Sailing Champions League from the 22th to the 24th of September.