Italian ORC Championship 2023 Concluded in Marina di Carrara

July 1, 2023 - Marina di Carrara -  A nice conclusion for the Edison Next 2023 Italian Absolute Offshore Sailing Championship in Marina di Carrara. The final day gave a sumptuous day of sailing: two beautiful races on a W/L course in front of the promontory of Punta Bianca: the first one with a westerly wind building up to 9-10 knots, in the second one the wind always from the West gradually strengthened until it reached 15-17 knots with consequent wave motion, which made the race beautiful and highly satisfying.

The award ceremony was attended by the President of the Region of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani, who recalled the importance of the Carrara coast at the base of the Apuan Alps, in the history of the sport of sailing, and thanked the Club Nautico Marina di Carrara for obtaining from Federvela the organization of the Italian championship. Proximity to the club was also expressed by the Mayor of Carrara Serena Arrighi. It was then the turn of the presidents of Club Nautico Marina di Carrara, Carlandrea Simonelli, and UVAI (Unione Vela Altura Italiana) Fabrizio Gagliardi.

The final greeting came from FIV President Francesco Ettorre: "I thank all the participating owners and crews, the organizing club, the UDRs, the volunteers and the federal staff. It was a great championship, and it goes in the direction we are working on: making our FIV regattas real events. The organization on land and at sea was perfect, and even the wind was helping by providing perfect conditions."

All Prizes, Podiums and Italian Titles

The Owner-Driver Trophy went in Group 2 to Massimo Piparo (Guardamago II), and in Group 1 to Claudio Terrieri (Blue Sky).

The Three Seas Trophy, awarded to the best-ranked boats in the two Groups among those qualified through the selection races. In Group 2 the prize went to Vincenzo De Blasio's Scugnizza, and in Group 1 to Marcello Focosi's Faster III. FIV partner CAT raffled off one of its amphibious and super durable smartphones with accessories that make them ideal for sailing, which went to the smallest boat: Sangria, Carlo Sebastiano Tadeo's Elan 31, presented by CAT's Maurizio Di Carlo.

Then it was time for the podiums in the four groupings.

In Group 2 Classes C-D Cruiser/Racer victory went to Melagodo, Beneteau First 34.7 owned by Luca De Luca (CDV Erix), second place to M.Art, Vroljik 37 owned by Edoardo Lepre (CV Fiumicino), and on the third step of the podium was Parallelo 38, Dufour 34 owned by Enzo Ricordo (YC Capo d'Orlando).

In Group 2 Classes C-D Racer triumphs Guardamago II, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Massimo Piparo (CN Riva di Traiano). Second place for Scugnizza, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Vincenzo De Blasio (CC Napoli). Third place finally for Trottolina Bellikosa, X35 by Saverio Trotta (YC Marina del Gargano).

In Group 2 Classes C-D Racer triumphs Guardamago II, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Massimo Piparo (CN Riva di Traiano). Second place for Scugnizza, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Vincenzo De Blasio (CC Napoli). Third place finally for Trottolina Bellikosa, X35 by Saverio Trotta (YC Marina del Gargano).

In Group 1 Classes A-B Cruiser/Raser, victory went to Faster III, Grand Soleil 43 of Marcello Focosi (YC Punta Ala), who managed to get the better of Ulika, Swan 45 of Stefano Masi (RCC Tevere Remo), and third, Milù III, Mylius 14E55 of Andrea Pietrolucci (CV Fiumicino).

Finally in Group 1 Classes A-B Racer, perhaps the most hard-fought podium: in first place Blue Sky, Swan 45 owned by Claudio Terrieri (YC Monfalcone), which had former Tornado Olympian Lorenzo Bodini on board, thanks to a decisive victory in the sixth and final race in fresh wind. In second place was Fantaghirò, Swan 42 owned by Carlandrea Simonelli, the president of Club Nautico Marina di Carrara, who chose not to be on board to coordinate the organization of the championship ashore, and who had on board a crew of fine names such as Flavio Favini, Paolo Bottari, Flavio Grassi and others. Third on this podium was Mela, Swan 42 owned by Andrea Rossi (CNMC).

Prizes also went to the four first in their respective groupings: a check for 300 euros to spend on Garmin products and a set of SLAM bags, both FIV partners. 

The grand finale was the proclamation of the 2023 Edison Next Italian Offshore Sailing Champions, who were called to the stage for the final photo while the notes of "We are the Champions!" were playing.

Here they are.

• Italian Champion Classes ORC C-D Cruiser/Racer: Melagodo, Beneteau First 34.7 owned by Luca De Luca (CDV Erix).
• Italian Champion Classes ORC C-D Racer: Guardamago II, Italia Yachts 11.98 by Massimo Piparo (CN Riva di Traiano).
• Italian Champion Classes ORC A-B Cruisee/Racer: Faster III, Grand Soleil 43 of Marcello Focosi (YC Punta Ala).
• Italian Champion Classes ORC A-B Racer: Blue Sky, Swan 45 of Claudio Terrieri (YC Monfalcone).

The venue for the 2024 edition of the Italian Absolute Offshore Sailing Championship Edison Next will be confirmed by the Italian Sailing Federation in the coming weeks.

On the official website www.campionatoitalianoaltura2023.it it is possible to view and download the complete and updated rankings (even in case of subsequent decisions of the Jury) and follow the races live with metasail tracking.