The J/24 Class in Italy continues to enjoy their winter series events around the peninsula, particularly in the more southern fleets in the Mediterranean.
MARINA DI CARRARA: The winner for the J/24 trophy for best owner/skipper and crew for 2016 (based on four of the best scores in the circuit) was Italian J/24 Class President Pietro Diamante racing his boat ITA 212 JAMAICA. They were followed in the overall scoring by ITA 400 CAPTAIN NEMO, sailed by Guido Guadagni, in second place; and taking the bronze position on the podium was ITA 371 JOC sailed by Fabio Apollonio. Filling out the top five were ITA 489 VALHALLA skippered by Fabio de Rossi in fourth place and ITA 428 RED LEATHER sailed by Gianni Riccobono. For the J/24 Trophy for best skipper (only) in 2016, it was the Italian Navy’s skipper Ignazio Bonanno who led ITA 416 LA SUPERBA to the top of the standings. In that classification, ENG 447 PELLE NERO skippered by Hungarian Farkas Litkey were second, and third was ITA 215 MOLLICONA skippered by James Black.
ANZIO & NETTUNO: Nothing done for the fifth and final day of the 2016 winter series in Anzio & Nettuno, as no races were held due to lack of wind. As a result, the winner was declared as Ignazio Bonanno’s LA SUPERBA with just 8 points total over seven races. Taking second overall was ITA 447 PELLE NERO sailed by Paul Cecamore and Farkas Litkey. Third was ITA 428 PELLE ROJO sailed by Gianni Riccobono with tactician Sergio Strippoli. “The Championship is proving to be very interesting. The fight for the top places in the standings is very close, with several boats within a few points of each other. The addition of two boats from the top Hungarian J/24 fleet has also added to the overall competitiveness of the fleet,” said the Chairman of the Sailing Club of Rome, Marco Minghetti.
TARANTO: The third weekend of the Taranto winter series saw a light southwest breeze under clear skies and cool temperatures, permitting the PRO to run two good races for the fleet. After tight racing, it was FIVE FOR FIGHTING that continues to lead the series, with JEBEDEE just two points back in second place. Sitting in third place is still DOCTOR J, followed by Marcello Bellacicca’s MARBEA in fourth and Ferdinand Capobianco’s LITTLE DEVIL in fifth position.
OLBIA SARDINIA: The 2016 Sardinian circuit was won by ITA 405 VIGNE SURRAU skippered by Aurelio Bini from Club Nautico Arzachena. From second to fifth place, however, only three points separated all four boats. Sneaking into the silver spot was ITA 431 LNI CARLISLE skippered by David Gorgerino. Third was ITA 241 LIBARIUM skippered by Roberto Dessy. The balance of the top five included Antonello Ciabatti’s ITA 420 LIBISSONYS and ITA 443 AIR LNI of Olbia, in fourth and fifth, respectively.
For more Italian J/24 Class information, visit http://www.j24.it/web/.