Fire on fire

Fabio Mangifesta's yacht claims Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 2009

Fabio Mangifesta’s Fire, representing the Yacht Club Monaco, has taken victory in the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 2009. Mangifesta heads the final results on 19 points after eight out of a possible nine race were held over three days in the event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino took second place for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda ahead of Prince Charles de Bourbon in third place with his Vamos Mi Amor, representing the Yacht Club Monaco.

“This is a class which reflects the traditional values of yachting between Clubs," said affirmed Onorato during the prize giving at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. "They were great races and we really had a lot of fun with this crew of friends. The support of Pietro Manunta and the entire crew was decisive in achieving this second place.”

Day one of the event saw two races run and Mascalzone, winner of the event in 2008, leading. On day two, however, Fabio Mangifesta’s Fire took a third and two first places to move to the top position overall, six points ahead of Adsglen in second and Mascalzone in third, both on 17 points. All was therefore still to play for heading into today’s third and final day of racing.

Despite predictions of light winds, the YCCS Race Committee was able to set three windward-leeward courses today, all of which were held in approximately 15 knots of wind shifting between 140° to 150°. Alderico Paganini’s Adsglen led the fleet across the finish line in the first race of the day ahead of Fire and Mascalzone Latino. The second race saw Vamos Mi Amor, helmed by the president of the Smeralda 888 class Prince Charles of Bourbon, triumph over Mascalzone and Bear Essential, helmed by Monaco’s Ian Isley.

Fire took victory in the third and final race of the day, bringing her to a total of three bullets in the eight races held, ahead of Mascalzone Latino and Botta Dritta, helmed by Adalberto Miani, with former J/24 World Champion Lorenzo Bressani aboard.

The Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 constitutes the fourth leg of the European Circuit for the fleet in 2009 and the overall results now sees Prince Charles de Bourbon in first place overall ahead of Adsglen. The fifth and penultimate leg will see the Smeralda 888 fleet return to Porto Cervo over 17-19 July.

More photos on page 2....

Final results here