The Italian J/24 Class continues to complete a combination of their summer series and upcoming fall events. Here are the latest reports from the Cervia Fleet in Sardinia and from the Genovese fleet sailing their annual Lantern Regatta. CERVIA: For the fifth leg of the Italian J/24 National Circuit, the Race Committee and PRO at Circolo Nautico de Cervia managed to provide the 23 J/24 teams with six races over the two-day weekend. Thanks to a very steady series scoreline of 5-3-2-2-3-3, J-OC sailed by Fabio Apollonio ended up winning the Cervia stage of the National J/24 Circuit with 13 points total. Just off the pace behind them and taking second place was Italian J/24 Class President, Pietro Diamanti, racing ITA 212 JAMAICA to a record of 4-1-5-3-1-2 for 15 points. Rounding out the podium was ITA 424 KISMET owned by Francesca Focardi and skippered by Dario Luciani, with a record of 10-2-1-6-4-9 for 22 points. For the balance of the top five, it was ITA 505 JORE owned by Alessandro Errani and helmed by Marco Pantano that took fourth place. Finishing in fifth place was Ignacio Bonanno and his Italian Navy crew on ITA 416 LA SUPERBA. The Cervia event also qualified another boat for the 2018 World Championship that will take place in Riva del Garda at the end of August 2018—ITA 424 KISMET won that slot. As a result of this regatta, the National Circuit series continues to be led by Diamanti’s JAMAICA, followed by ITA 473 MAGIC FAIRY sailed by Massimo Frigerio in second and ITA 304 FIVE FOR FIGHTING J sits in third, sailed by the young Eugenia De Giacomo.
GENOA/ PORTOFINO Campionato Della Lanterna: The Marina Genova Airport Nautical Club completed the second and third events of the Campionato Della Lanterna for the fleet of eight J/24s. The fleet had to contend with uncertain weather on day one, almost a “glass-out” in the morning, but followed up with a southwest breeze of 5-7 knots in the afternoon, enough to get in two races. The second day’s racing was defined by winds of 15-18 knots plus a short, steep chop. It was close racing for everyone over the weekend. In the end, it was JAWS that won the regatta, followed by JUST A JOKE in second, FINALLY in third, FOR FIVE (A. Criscuolo – P. Ghibaudi) in fourth, and LANDFALL (Simone and Andrea Moretti) in fifth. “I am very happy with the way this championship is going,” Sr Buffa explained. “Above all, it is the rebirth and the fervor of our fleet of Portofino/Genoa, constantly searching for new J/24 owners who wish to join us.” For more Italian J/24 Class information, visit https://www.j24.it/.