From Gianni Fantasia, F18 Italy Chairman
Location
This year the Gulf of Gaeta Bay, theatre of the 2021 F18 World Championship, hosted the Italian Championship organized by the Yacht Club Gaeta. Twenty boats on the starting line, including our friends from Finland and Germany.
Global overview
Three days of regatta, for a total of seven races sailed with mixed conditions: 8-10 knots and almost one meter of waves on day one, very harsh conditions with 20-25knots and short waves on day two and 7-10 knots with almost flat water and a spectacular sunny day, with the landscape of Gaeta, on day three. Conditions that required a rounded set of skills to master strong breeze and big waves as well as to run the best route in nerve-wracking legs with waves and light wind.
The Podium
Maurizio Stella and Davide Recalcati owning all the required skills, have been crowned 2024 F18 Italian Champions with a stunning series of (2,1,2,1,1,2,2) against a pool of strong teams, including the defending champions Matteo Fiorini and Lorenzo Casamenti. To be noted, this is the fifth title for Maurizio and the first as Helsman!
Completing the podium the twins Andrea and Matteo Viganò followed by Matteo Fiorini and Lorenzo Casamenti. Prices have been awarded also to the 4th and 5th place, respectively to Elia Mazzucchi/Jacopo Lisignoli and Andrea Sanzone/Piero Branca.
Results
Full results here
Pictures
More pictures here (courtesy of Lisa Ginanni and Alessandro Pelliccia)