5.5 Metre Enoshima Trophy 2025 in La Spezia - Day 1
by Robert Deaves 9 May 12:31 PDT
9-11 May 2025
Harking back to the days when the 5.5 Metre was an Olympic class, each year the Enoshima Trophy is sailed in boats that are still in the same configuration and conform to the rules applicable during the Olympic era, 1952 to 1968, in particular still having the rudder attached to the keel rather than separate.
The 2025 Enoshima Trophy is taking place in La Spezia, Italy, with seven classic 5.5 Metres taking part dating from 1953 to 1967. Rabicano, helmed by Arancia Malaspina, picked up a 1,2 and leads after two races. Manuela V, helmed by Guido Tommasi, had a 3,1 while Grifone, helmed by Benedetta Di Salle, is third with a 2, 3.
The competition was first instigated by Dr. Herbert 'Biwi' Reich, who competed at the 1964 Olympic Games in Enoshima, Japan, with G-12 Subbnboana. The old Olympic triangle course is sailed and the points are awarded according to the old logarithmic way in place at the time.
Racing started on Friday in La Spezia, Italy, hosted with fantastic enthusiasm by the Sezione Velica M.M. della Spezia. Two great races were held inside the Gulf of La Spezia in great conditions with the quite shifty wind building from 8-12 knots, but under mainly warm and sunny skies.
After a slight delay with the wind shifting around a lot, the first race started in 6-8 knots and was a real battle to the first mark with a lot of tacking. Manuela V seemed to have the early advantage, but then a right shift put Rabicano in front and they rounded in front by 4-5 boatlengths with Grifone in second. Rabicano sailed away into clear air and extended down the reaches to win the race. Grifone also sailed a great race to finally cross second, just a few boatlengths ahead of Manuela V.
Designed by Raymond C. Hunt of the USA and built in Italy by Dario Salata in 1961, Manuela V is a carvel planked mahogany hull originally from Brebbia on Lago Maggiore, Italy. She won the Enoshima Trophy last year in Venice, as well as in 2023 and 2022.
The wind was now up to around 10 knots and Manuela V made the best of the start to the second race, while Rabicano was 10 seconds late coming in at the boat end. Manuela V was never really threatened and extended away on the reaches while Rabicano recovered to round second and close the gap on the final downwind. Manuela V took the win from Rabicano and Grifone.
Rabicano came from the drawing board of the famous Swedish designers, Einar and Carl-Eric Ohlson, and was the only boat built by Cantiere Salata of Rapallo, in Italy. Built from carvel planked mahogany, she was first certificated on 1 Jan 1967.
She was built for Agostino Straulino, the famous Italian Olympic sailor, to participate to the 1968 Olympic Games in Acapulco. However, the boat was rejected, and disappeared until 1981, when she was sold to Gian Alberto Zanoletti, father of Ferdinando Zanoletti, president of the Museo della Barca Lariana and current owner. Rabicano is currently owned by the museum, which is located at Pianello del Lario, on Lake Como.
Racing in La Spezia continues until Sunday.
Results after Day 1: (two races)
1. Rabicano, ITA 55, Arancia Malaspina - 1,591
2. Manuela V, ITA 36, Guido Tommasi - 1,415
3. Grifone, ITA 42, Benedetta Di Salle - 1,114
4. Kukururu, ITA 6, Giuseppe Matildi - 688
5. Violetta IV, ITA 21, Francesco Stefanon - 348
6. Twins X, ITA 32, Guido Fumagalli - 348
7. Volpina III, ITA 44, Stefano Cesari - 336