A great show just concluded in our waters, with twenty-two beautiful Cape 31s representing twelve nations, which fascinated us at sea, from a technical, tactical and competitive point of view, and on the dock, for the atmosphere that was created, between world champions, Olympic champions and sailors of enormous experience but also very talented young people.
The Cape 31 European Championship, organized by us in collaboration with the Cape 31 Class, took place over three epic days, hot sun and wind from the first quadrant of excellent intensity 16/14 knots, followed by the final day, November 10th, characterized from a light west that made the last test, the eleventh, tactical and equally hard-fought.
An event well organized, brilliantly managed by the Regatta Officials, under the orders of PRO Fulvio Parodi, and enhanced by the dualism between the Germans of La Pericolosa, led by Christian Schwoerer and Nick Asher, with the Italians Michele Gregoratto and Jas Farneti on board, with the success and victory of three races, and Stig of Alessandro Rombelli and the tactician Manu Weiller, with our partner Vittorio Zaoli on board, protagonist of a debut in great style, rewarded by the conquest of second place at 12.8 points by the new European champions.
Completing the podium was the winner of the 2024 circuit, reserved for this little more than newborn one-design class, Michael Wilson’s Shotgunn with Olympic gold and silver medalist Stuart Bithell and Peter Greenhalgh assisting him. Fourth overall, the best of Corinthian, Give Me Five by the French Adrien and Robin Follin, with PRO Sandro Lacan on board. Another Italian hull present was Marco Serafini’s Hurakan, with Michele Regolo and Daniele Cassinari on board, finishing thirteenth.
This is the final balance of the regatta which saw for the first time so many Cape 31 protagonists of an event in the Mediterranean. A one design by Mark Mills for the South African Cape Performance Sailing, which recently broke down the barrier of eighty boats built and which, to date, is already present in over twenty countries. Presuppositions confirmed by the excellent performance qualities and captivating look of the fleet, shown in the tense gusts of Sanremo, by a project that has impressed anyone who has had the opportunity to sail on it, even just for a few hours.
Images © International Cape 31 Class | ZGN