Poisoned Hedgehog

Chris McClaghlin reports from the J/24 Italian Nationals

After two days of Scirroco winds clocking-in at over 40 mph, competitors awoke to the opening day of the J24 and no wind. Cannigione will host the J24 Class World Championship from 5 June and some competitors are using these Nationals to get an early look at the conditions.

The race committee managed three races in force 2–3 conditions today but the course area is surrounded by steep hills and an rocky outcrops. The result is a gust cell environment, driven by the thermals generated on the land mass. American, Keith Whitemore, summed up the day saying “You could see the gusts on the water, but they don’t come to you. You have to sail to them”.

After three races, Italian Andrea Casale is leading in Fiamma Gialle, with a 1,3,2 score from Dan Glomb of Brazil, with 3,2,10 and Francesco Cruciani of Italy on equal points with 6,4,5.

Completing the first ten are Buiatti of Italy; Whitemore, USA; Ravioli, Italy; Wilcox Germany; Di Fraia, Italy; Gibson USA and Arribas, from Peru.

Absent from the results was Ian Southworth, the European Champion. Three of his crew are down with food poisoning but hope to recover to sail from tomorrow.

Lucy McGregor, the Olympic Yngling crew, is sailing her first international J24 regatta in preparation fro the Women’s World’s title. In 12th overall, she leads the other female teams.

The ten race series is due to complete on Friday.