Campionato Invernale Talamone – Manche 1 – Final

Talamone, December 2, 2012. Results and report by Alberto Perdisa

The first part of the Campionato Invernale di Talamone (Winter Championship), which began on the first weekend of November with the “Winter Trophy,” ended last Sunday. On the starting line we saw some famous names including the multi-time world champion Augie Diaz with crew Kathleen Tocke as well as Enrico Solerio with Sergio Simonetti, Paolo Lambertenghi with Silvia Pederiva, and Enrico Michel with Stefano Longhi. In addition, two strong teams who for many years, during the winter, never miss going to Tuscany, travelling for more than 600 km each time: Pietro Fantoni with Nico Gerin and Stefano Selleri, and Fabio and Daniela Rochelli. These teams have given rise to spectacular races and fought with other teams, perhaps less famous but all able to get out among the best on occasion. As many as 19 teams competed during the first part of the Championship.

For the last two races, winter seemed far and perfect conditions confirmed the extraordinary nature of this bay and its micro climate, especially in this season. While weather–too much or little wind, or choppy water—prevented sailing in other parts of Italy the first weekend in December, “Snipe bay” gave Snipe sailors a memorable day of sailing illuminated by sunshine and spring temperatures.

The first race started an hour late because Principal Race Office Alessandro Testa wisely waited for the wind, at first light and then in constant growth, from the North West. Alberto Perdisa with Gian Piero Joime led the race until almost the end, but Pietro Fantoni with Stefano Selleri managed to overtake them on the last downwind leg, winning by a few meters. Third place was the very consistent Marco Pantano-Krantz Fontanaand fourth, Alberto with Anna De Paoli, created a great performance. Then came the “Rockets” Rochelli, Paolo Fuzzi with Marco Prosperi, Andrea Pesci with his son Niccolò, and Giuseppe Prosperi with Marco Ceccarini. And Gabriella Claudio Ciufo, who has sailed every Campionato Invernale since it was first held, 15 years ago. Claudio, who prefers light winds, is always fast.

For the second race, the wind and waves increased a lot, gusting to over 20 knots. Some teams decided to retire and others capsized. The race was also complicated because Alessandro Testa, conservatively, put the course close to the shore. The beat was was particularly difficult, with gusts and big shifts, wider and more unpredictable as we approached the windward mark. Abrupt lifts and headers caused capsizing even among some of the best. At the end of the race Pietro Fantoni was first, followed by Prosperi, Rochelli, Pantano, Perdisa, and Pesci.

The prize-giving was held in the famous lighthouse, house of the Talamone sailing club. Fantoni, Rochelli, and Diaz took the first three places. The ceremony was preceded by a generous snack, though to call it a snack is an understatement, with hot fusilli and all kinds of sliced meats, salami and cheese from Maremma, accompanied with Morellino wine and Coca Cola–a strange combination that shows the various generations that come together to sail hard on our boat.

The beautiful moments of conviviality were in the best spirit of the Snipe Class, as sailors waited to learn the final results of the vote of SCIRA Italy for the Italian candidate for hosting the 2015 Snipe Worlds. We learned shortly thereafter that Talamone finished ahead of Torbole. An important and well-deserved goal for Alessandro Testa, for the Club, and for the whole community of Talamone who have always believed in our boat, electing a queen of this beautiful bay renamed “Snipe bay.”

Results

Photo Paolo Cardoni

Classifica Invernale Talamone 2/12/12