CCVB crowned Italian J/70 League winner
by J/Boats 5 Oct 2018 23:25 PDT
28-30 September 2018
Italian J/70 League © Francesco Nonnoi
Over the September 28th to 30th weekend, the Italian J/70 Sailing League's fifteen teams completed 45 races to determine the ultimate winner of their season-long sailing season. Hosting the event was the YC Costa Smeralda in its fleet of matched J/70s on the gorgeous waters off Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Winning the overall series was the Club Circolo della Vela Bari (skippered by Simone Ferrarese, with crew of Valerio Galati, Corrado Capece Minutolo, Leonardo Dinelli). Eight points behind the winner in second place was the crew of the Italian Air Force (Giancarlo Simeoli - captain, Niccolò Bertola - helmsman, Marco Balbi, Giovanni Bannetta), they were followed in third by the team of the Società Canottieri Garda Salò (Diego Franchini - captain, Carlo Fracassoli - helmsman, Pietro Corbucci, Mauro Spagnoli).
"The Circolo Della Vela Bari is the new Italian Champion of the Italian Sailing League," said Simone Ferrarese, helmsman of the Circolo Della Vela Bari. "We are very happy to thank our crew, Valerio, Corrado and Leonardo who gave me the today, as high as a month and a half ago in St. Moritz, where we also managed to win the International Championship of the SAILING Champions League, who knows how it will go next year, we can not wait to return!"
Commodore of YC Costa Smeralda Riccardo Bonadeo said, "We are delighted to have closed the YCCS sports season with the national final of the Italian Sailing League circuit, three intense days with a competition format that has given us exciting challenges. And, Thank You to our partner Audi, not only for the collaboration in the success of the event, but also for the support of our One Ocean initiative, promoting the principles of Charta Smeralda. Thank you also to the Race Committee, the Jury, Umpire, YCCS staff and all the teams that embody the spirit of Club."
"It was a busy day," commented the President of the Italian Sailing League, Roberto Emanuele de Felice. "The crews were the best in Italy, the fast and dynamic formula of the LIV regattas requires concentration and great harmony. The clubs have brilliantly demonstrated the outstanding performance of the Circolo della Vela Bari, which won 10 of 15 races. The collaboration with the YCCS, whose efficiency has allowed us to complete such a high number of races, confirms once again the great synergy of the staff, both at sea and ashore."
"The Italian Sailing League circuit," declared Francesco Ettorre, FIV (Federation Italiano de Vela) President, "is an event the FIV has supported from the beginning because we believe it is an important opportunity both for the clubs and for the sailors; the format is the right one, fun and fast, in line with what is the new way to go boating outside of the Olympic classes. Here in Porto Cervo, we are experiencing great sailing. The crews have a great enthusiasm in participating in this format. Thank you to the whole board of LIV for the work you are doing, also towards our young people who represent the future of our sailing and our Club."