Report from the Italian Open National Championship & Open European Championship at Cannigione, Sardinia

May 28-June 4, 2012

Cannigione, Sardinia, Italy

Stuart Jardine, IJCA-ITC

The European Championship crowned two winners – winning the Open Championship Event was Team Bruschetta (BRA 37) with Alex Saldanha on the helm. Winning the European Champion title was La Superba (ITA 416) driven by Ignazio Bonanno. La Superba finished 2nd in the Open Event. Keith Whittemore on Furio (USA 5399) was 3rd in the Open Event. Kai Mares driving Rotoman (GER 5420) finished second in the European Championship race, and fourth overall. The european teams were happy to see two U.S. and one Brazilian team cross the pond to compete.

This was a very successful event – with two major championships back to back. The Yacht Club of Arzachena, Sardinia pulled out all the stops to ensure the championships success and avoid any controversy. Under the leadership of the Regatta Chairman, Antonio Chessa, the yacht club put together a very strong team of lovely volunteers to run the Office and Registration, and gratefully, many had a very good command of English, which was beneficial to many.

The Italian JCA President Mario Di Fraia, with the help of Massimo Mariotti, have done a huge amount of work to get their NJCA back on track in both insisting on following the Class Rules and Regatta Regulations for the event. Di Fraia has spent a great deal of time getting Official International Measurement Certificates for the Italian JCA and still has further work ahead.

The Italian JCA had appointed Gianpaolo Sanna, the professional FIV J24 Class Measurer who lives on Sardinia as their Measurer. He was assisted by FIV trainee Measurer Yann Masserotti who was very, very good. They both showed a lot of interest in the possibility of helping with the Measuring at the European Championships in Monaco, October 2013 and I would have no hesitation in recommending them.

In all, Cannigione was a wonderful place with lovely weather for the time I was out there. The championships provided very good, close racing and a well run event.