Piada Trophy – Coppa Tamburini – Final

Rimini, June 10-12. Final results after 6 races (1 discard). Full results, Italian ranking, photos and article by Kathleen Tocke

(Photo courtesy of Roberto Baroncini)

1. Enrico Michel & Antonia Contin, 13

2. Pietro Fantoni & Kathleen Tocke, 15

3. Stefano Longhi & Eleonora Zuzic, 18

4. Paolo Lambertenghi & Leonardo Franzin, 20

5. Francesco Scarselli & Marco Rinaldi, 24

6. Francesco Rossi & Gianfranco Filippini, 24

Lessons from Six Years of Piada

By Kathleen Tocke

2016 marked my sixth Piada Trophy, the first being in Cervia in 2008. It is one of my favorite regattas of the year. Having organized international regattas myself, it is evident how much thought, time, and passion goes into the Piada Trophy.

Every year it has a very definable spirt – fun with the highest quality of racing in beautiful venues with beautiful people, warm friendly Italians who share a passion for the Snipe and the Snipe Class. It is a tradition, an institution created by the indomitable Alberto Perdisa.

1. You know you are in Italy when …. races start at noon and only in sunshine.

…

Piada is a vacation. Does one go to the beach at 10am? Does one go to the beach in rain? Piada organizers do well to schedule races precisely as the wind fills and the sun shines. This year’s regatta had 6 races, starting at precisely the optimal moment. Yes, the last race on Sunday was shortened as the sky became black, thunder boomed, and flashes of light swept the sky. The wind reached gusts of 36 knots, but only as the sailors safely entered the channel of the harbor. But! the races did not begin in bad weather. That would be un-Piada.

2. Go-kart skills are revered as much as good tacks and jibes

Each year I stare with envy as the top three in the Piada Go-Kart Race stand on the podium with their medals and bottles of Perdisa’s famed Dracone wine. Each year I make improvements, but am shamed by winners’ skills and finesse on the track. How do the go-kart masters like Lolo, Rochelli, Longhi, Filippo Perdisa and Marco Onorato take curves with so much speed and grace, while my kart skids with dirt flying up behind? Every year, after 15 exhausting laps, I wipe the dirt from my face and vow next year I will study go-kart technique (I never do).

3. Only on full-stomachs can one sail their best and enjoy a long Italian summer night with friends.

The world celebrates Italian food. In Italy, each region has it’s own cuisine. Piada celebrates the local food and wine. Being next to the sea, competitors are always assured fresh seafood in generous proportions. The more people eat, the more they smile, the better they sail. This year, the Club Nautico Rimini treated sailors and family to an incredible feast of seafood.

4. The Sport of Sailing Involves Great Luck and so does Piada Bingo

Piada has always been a difficult regatta to win. The level at the top is high and the venues always provide a variety of different conditions. Enrico Michel and Antonia Contin won this year by sailing a very consistent regatta. The first day was started in a fair breeze, but during the last upwind, someone hit the off-switch. Patience and light air skill were rewarded. The second day was breezy with crazy shifts and gusts from the land. The final day was still another wind direction, starting with an oscillating breeze with some surprise shifts brought on by the impending storm. Looking at the scores of the top teams, it was clear it was hard to dominate. Longhi, Lambertenghi, Fantoni, Rossi, and Snipe newcomer, Francesco Scarselli with Marco Rinaldi fought a hard battle on the Adriatic.

Even more difficult to dominate is Piada Bingo. After six editions, I have yet to win anything. I think I should win a prize for knowing my numbers in Italian. This year it was obvious. I ask, how is it possible that so many winners came from the same table? A lucky shift? I noticed a scheming look in Eleonora’s eyes and she drew numbers from the bowl and gave them to Perdisa to announce. I saw her repeatedly working with the Club President, who seemed an innocent man. Alas, no. The win was not mine. I was always so close. Similar to my Piada record, five second place finishes – so close, but if you want to win, find another crew.

In short, find a crew, be a crew, come to Piada and experience it again or for the first time. Alberto Perdisa puts on a show that that leaves everyone feeling like a winner.

Final Results
Italian Ranking