5.5m IC World Championship- Marazzi on Ali Baba crowned World Champion

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -World Champion Ali Baba (SUI224) Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Second Artemis XIV (NOR57) © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

Second place for Norwegian Kristian Nergaard on Artemis XIV and third for Gavin McKinney on John B from the Bahamas.

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 - Third John B (BAH19) © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

The Race Committee used every minute up to the 2.30 p.m. time limit to set down a fair course. The 37 crews Bahamas, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Italy crossed the starting line at 2.28 p.m. but at the end of the first beat, a massive wind shift forced the Race Committee to abandon racing. The Awards Ceremony was held at the 16th century Spanish Fortress of Porto Santo Stefano overlooking the wonderful bay of Argentario.

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Waiting for Wind © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

Marco Poma, Sports Director of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, back on the docks stated: 'The last 15 days have been very intense for all of us. The 5.5m IC World Championship was preceded by three other important races of the same class. Most of the competitors therefore stayed in the Argentario area for a long time. The staff of the Yacht Club Santo Stefano together with local authorities and sponsors worked tirelessly to ensure the best possible hospitality. My thanks goes to all those who have made this possible; the Race Committee, the International Jury, the International 5.5m IC class and the Italian Class. Last but not least, a final thank you to the 37 teams who have honored us with their presence. We have received very positive feedback from them and this obviously gratifies us more than anything else does. Our only regret is the weather conditions that have marked the past five days… Unfortunately we are still unable to control the elements!'

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Cooling off © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

Former Swiss Class President Hans Peter Schmid racing on Pugin (SUI213) back on land shared his thoughts on the Championship: 'The fact that there were 37 yachts from seven different nations on the starting line here in Porto Santo Stefano was truly remarkable! And having competitors from the Bahamas here in Tuscany was great as well. This is my first time in Porto Santo Stefano and I must say both the organization and hospitality were excellent: accommodation is diversified and there is much to do on land for those who are not sailing. Sailing was great but the weather was challenging at times because of the big wind shifts'.

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Final day © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

Commenting on the future of the Class, Kaspar Stubenrauch, President of the International 5.5 Metre Class Association, stated: 'I was truly happy to see boats of such great age difference racing closely together as in the case of Sinewave who made it to the front ranks. However, in construction class, the latest designs have the upper hand and this is why owners are looking into new designs to have even more of a competitive edge as in the case of Ali-Baba (SUI224), Shaolin (SUI226) or Cinque Cinque (SUI227)'.

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Prizegiving © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

Results:

1 - Ali Baba – Flavio Marazzi, Jakob Gustafsson, Christoph Burger (SUI224) (6-6-3-3-6/24pt)
2 - Artemis XIV – Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli-Saether (NOR57) (2-2-5-1-15/25pt)
3- John B - Gavin McKinney, Lars Johannsen, Thomas Hallberg (BAH19) (3-3-2-16-4/28pt)

Other Awards:

• Roni Pieper Trophy (Fourth place overall in World Championship) – Clark Kent – Peter Fjeld (NOR64)
• DEB Cup (winner first race) - Mission Possible - Markus Wieser (GER79)
• Peter Frazer Memorial Trophy (winner second race) - Sinewave – Tomas Muller (GER82)
• H.R. Symonette Trophy (winner fifth race) - Mission Possible - Markus Wieser (GER79)
• Frank Tolhurst Perpetual Trophy (best Evolution) - Sinewave – Tomas Muller (GER82)
• Quail Cup (best Classic) – Cybele II – Armando Daldini (SUI100)

5.5m IC Worlds 2014 -Heading home © Pierpaolo Lanfrancotti

The World Championship of the International 5.5 Metre Class was organized by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano, with the patronage of the Region of Tuscany, the Province of Grosseto, and the Municipality of Monte Argentario and with the support of the Pro Loco of Porto Santo Stefano.