14 Questions to … Giovanni Ceccarelli

Giovanni Ceccarelli lives in Ravenna Italy. He is a Snipe Sailor and a famous yacht designer (ACC Mascalzone Latino and +39). He was part of the team (as engineering manager) that raised the cruise ship Costa Concordia.

– 1) Your first time on a sailing boat?

Marina di Ravenna 1968 on the first Optimist to arrive in Italy, probably.

– 2) Your first time on a Snipe?

2007 in Cervia. In our family my first Snipe was my father’s, designed and built in wood and it was called Nanni. It was the winning boat of the Spring Cup in Sanremo and in Monte Carlo. Now my boat is former Augie Diaz’s boat, which sailed in Valencia in 2007. I was in Valencia as principal designer of +39 America’s Cup Italian challenger. After the America’s Cup, I started sailing the Snipe. I want to thank Alberto Perdisa, who introduce me to the Class and also to a beautiful group of friends.

– 3) The most bizarre thing that happened in a regatta?

In an half tonner we broached twice with the mast in the water, in two hours.

…

– 4) What is the thing that most angers you in a race/regatta?

The people that cheat with the boat, and with the measurement. I don’t think it happens in the Snipe Class.

– 5) Which is the race/regatta that you remember with the most pleasure?

As designer when one of my boat won the Centomiglia del Garda. As skipper when I won the Italian Nationals in the minitonner class.

– 6) And the race/regatta you would like to forget?

When I was sailing an FJ, during the Italian Nationals in Senigallia, I capsized downwind and I was stuck below the mainsail and I was very close to sinking. Fortunately a coach saved me.

– 7) Your “dream in the peak”? (Your sailing dream?)

In the Snipe to have time for sailing with friends and getting in the top 5 in Italy. As designer to be involved in a good team for the America’s Cup.

– 8) Sailing goals for 2014-15, and beyond?

Try to be selected for the Worlds in 2015 in Talamone.

– 9) The most important people for you in sailing and in the Snipe?

My father who taught me and transmitted to me the passion for sailing and for yacht design. Two great sailors: Vasco Vascotto who won with my designs 6 World titles, and Ian Percy who skippered my boat in Valencia. Two great sailors and two great men.

– 10) Why the Snipe?

Because I like a dinghy and with the Snipe you can sail no matter what your age.

As a designer, I think there is still room for improvement, expecially in the deck layout (working together with the sail designers and the skippers, both in sheet angles and in ergonomics) and rudder design. For the future I would suggest to the Class to test again a lighter daggerboard with a different shape, combined with a different rudder. Also, with the actual tolerances of the hull shape, there is room for the designers to work. I like the Class and I want to give my support and experience for a new Snipe design.

– 11) Your perfect sailing venue and your perfect sailing conditions?

Sailing conditions, light wind and upwind. Venue, everywhere the sun shines.

– 12) Besides sailing which other sport do you practice?

Skiing.

– 13) Are you superstitious?

Yes but not like a Neapolitan …

– 14) Your perfect holiday?

I don’t like to go on holiday. I really like to work on my projects. It is something that I do with passion.

Today it was a great day for me because I sailed again in the Snipe with Pietro, after three years of not sailing the Snipe. In the last two and a half years I was very busy in Isola del Giglio as engineering manager and one of the three principal engineers for the wreck removal of Costa Concordia. So today it is a great day. Back to sailing

photo credit: 2) Claudio Giovannini; 5) Serena Galvani; 8) Max Ranchi