Italian Soling fleet prepare for Worlds

A report form the Winter Championship at the YC Punta Ala

The Soling fleet in Castiglione della Pescaia competed in the Winter Championship organised by Yacht Club Punta Ala to train for the 2005 Worlds.Castiglione's Solings sailed two races in the weekend in a 10-18 knots wind blowing from NNE (Saturday) and ESE-E (Sunday).

ITA 194 Energia Zero Team sailed by Michele Tognozzi, Giuliano Carotti and Tessa Wiechmann took the lead with a 1-2, followed by ITA 254 Teseo di Malavalle Team sailed by Domenico Carducci, Gianluca Ferraro and Paolo Mazzarri with a 3-1. Third was ITA 201 of Piero Romeo, Andrea Maramai and Fabio Piccioni (2-4) with fourth place going to ITA 255 sailed by Fabio Curini, Massimo Curatolo and Riccardo Turi (dnc-3).

The Solings had their own start in a fleet of 45 IMS yachts enjoying the good sailing conditions in two 2 hour long races. The Winter Championship in Punta Ala (nine miles north of Castiglione, where the 1996 Soling Worlds took place) will continue with three more races scheduled for 5, 6 and 19 February.

In March and April the seven boat Soling fleet will continue their training for the Worlds. These are to be held in Castiglione on 20-27 May and a big fleet is expected. With four months to go until the event already 21 boats from nine countries are entered. More than 38 boats are expected to attend.

Club Velico Castiglione della Pescaia is making a big effort to offer the Soling community the best hospitality and sailing conditions.

Winter Cup YCPA
Soling after 2 of 5 races
1.ITA 194 Tognozzi M.-Carotti-Wiechmann 1-2
2.ITA 254 Carducci-Ferraro-Mazzarri 3-1
3.ITA 201 Romeo-Maramai-Piccioni 2-4
4.ITA 255 Curini-Curatolo-Turi dnc-3