This year’s Italian J/24 Nationals were sailed on one of Italy’s more spectacular lakes—Lago di Como, north of Milan along the Swiss border. Host for the event was the President of Circolo Velico Tivano di Valmadrera, Giuseppe De Luca. The regatta was sailed in the Bay of Pare Valmadrera in the southern portions of Lago di Como, a challenging location due to the fact that it is mountain lake sailing with shifty winds and often strong “Breva Tivano” winds that develop in the afternoons. After an amazing weekend of sailing 10 races, the American team with Keith Whittemore was crowned the “Open” Italian J/24 Nationals Champion, winning by an incredible 15 point margin (and not sailing the last race). Whittemore’s FURIO team from Seattle, WA is no stranger to sailing in Italy’s lakes and the Mediterranean, having won the event in the past.Crowned as the Italian J/24 Champion was Giacomo Del Nero’s MOLLICONA team, taking second overall behind Whittemore with 45 points. In third overall was Mario Di Fraia Pasquale sailing on BOTTA DRITTA, amassing 53 points along the way. Fourth was a top Italian lakes sailor, Mario Mazzoni Fabio on KONG GRIFONE with 57 points. And in fifth was Giovanni Bonzio sailing KILS with 71 points. For more Italian J/24 Nationals sailing information, click here.
International Class Association
