Cala Galera – After yesterday’s strong wind with rough seas, Argentario today reserved drastically different conditions for the J/70 fleet gathered in Cala Galera for the first act of the J/70 Cup 2024, also valid as a pre-Championship for the ‘European Championship which will be held in less than a month in the same location. The almost evanescent breeze did not allow any regatta to be completed, effectively crystallizing the rankings to the order established after yesterday’s trials.

Upon returning to the fleet after three years of absence, Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries of three-time European champion Claudia Rossi immediately takes center stage. In a partly new formation, with Lorenzo Bressani on tactics, Giulio Desiderato on the mainsail, Matteo Mason on the sheets and Johanna Sommarlund on the bow, the Ancona-based shipowner’s crew has regulated the rankings since the first day, with everyone partial in top- 3 and a 13th place discarded as the worst result of the series.

“A triumph, I’m very happy and we couldn’t have started in a better way, I’m happy with the group which is blending well despite the few hours of “flight” together. We started off on the right foot to feel strong again and able to compete in this fleet even if a lot of time has passed. The fleet is very competitive, it doesn’t allow mistakes and this is the best thing about racing in J/70″ commented Claudia Rossi upon returning to the dock.

Silver medal for Luca Domenici with Notaro Team, only 6 points behind Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, while the bronze medal went to the American boat Rowdy. Owners Alessandro Molla and Tommaso Pavan finished in fourth place with their Viva, while the reigning world champions aboard Brutus II completed the top-five.

There is also a lot of competition in the Corinthian fleet, reserved for non-professional sailors, where the Swiss crew of Dirty Seven has established itself at the top of the ranking, followed by White Hawk by Gianfranco Noè and Why Not #CAIM by the newly re-elected councilor of the J/ 70 Italian Class, Massimo Rama.

During the awards ceremony, several awards for special trophies were presented. Yann Inghilesi’s Ciclone won the gold medal in the One Pro division (only one professional on board), while Bulla – YC Italiano was awarded as best boat with a Young crew. Rowdy’s helmsman, Richard Witzel, received a Garmin Quatix 7 smartwatch thanks to the collaboration with J/70 Italian Class partner, Garmin Marine Italy, for winning the first Garmin Cup of 2024.

Having completed the “dress rehearsal” with Act 1 of the J/70 Cup, attention now turns to the main event of the season, the European Championship. The same regatta field that hosted this weekend’s series of regattas, from 18 to 25 May will be the scene of the competitions that will award, among a fleet of over one hundred boats, the 2024 J/70 continental title.

The 2024 J/70 Italian Class season is supported by Lincoln International, Gottifredi Maffioli, Garmin, Vela Mania, Zhik, UtilGraph, Gin Vento, Cantine Tinazzi and OneOcean Foundation.