| Italy. XIV Vele d’Epoca at Imperia: Gaff rigged Bona Fide first to cross finish line |
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; "Moonbeam and Mariquita: © Franco Pace / Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge")
| Sunday, 17 September 2006 | |
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Fabio Colivicchi: Sun, mild eastern wind, rough sea and finally a beautiful race, for the third day XIV Edition Vintage Sails, fourth stage of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2006 Circuit. Along the Porto Maurizio’s wharf movements since morning, ready the crews to set sail thanks to the good weather. The Comitato di Regata chose a coasty route with the bowline buoy in front of Capo Berta and the stern one in front of San Lorenzo al Mare. The finishing line has been set between a buoy and the harbour wharf. The race start has been at noon, with 8-9 knots of wind, going increasing until 10-12 knots along the day. The rough sea with southern roller made difficult the regatta for the 132 boats: big work on board, uneasy tactics choices, sailing close to the wind with unusual glides on good waves, wide rate with a lot of pitch against the waves. In such conditions the winners have been the best hulls with knowing sailors. Two out of the protagonists of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2006 circuit: the glorious and ancient Bona Fide, 13 meters with gaff rig owned by the roman Giuseppe Giordano, crossing first the finishing line in real time. His boat, built in 1899 and winner of the “Olimpiadi di Parigi” 1900, S.Remo sailor Beppe Zaoli at the helm, has shown perfect qualities for the present weather, light and handling. It worth a mention the Cotton Blossom II too , the 15 meters owned by the helmsman Dennis Conner. On a different and longer route the Big Boats competed, bigger hulls, breath-taking sailing ship of 30 meters , up to ten sails lifted while navigating. In this group the line-honour, went to the wonderful Mariquita, 31 meters guff rig cutter coming out from the William Fife III’ s “magic pencil” and built by Fife & Son in 1923, the only 19 meters class international tonnage still navigating today, owned by Greek Livanos. Behind it the huge outline of the 40 meters Cambria, 23 meters class cutter of international tonnage, another Fife III ‘s design built in 1928, with Bermudian equipment ; then the Mariette‘s dark hull, 39 meters schooner designed by Nat Herreshoff. The very mutual respect and rivalry between Cotton Blossom II and Bona Fide is the focus of the awaited match, the new match race the two protagonist announced as being the tasty unscheduled of Imperia Vintage Sails. Maybe tomorrow is going to be the right occasion. The recover of one race is scheduled for tomorrow after the first days’ cancellation, instead of the foreseen “parade” of the boats. Definitive classification and prize-awarding ceremony at 17:30. Thousands of visitors have crowded the docks and the village thanks to the favourable weather. The program is rich as usual, with collateral events, activities sponsored by each team. Highly frequented for the post-regatta the exclusive Officine Panerai “lounge”, with music, snack, personalities and the last Panerai watches expo. By the night, at the Palazzina Liberty a pleasant time with over 60 international media representatives invited to the off-shore show and the sponsor ’s guests.) |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 17 September 2006 ) |
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