J24 Italian National Championships in Sardinia - Overall

Casale wins Nationals, but Southworth wins final day

The wind gods finally smiled on the J24 Italian National Championships in Cannigione, Sardinia. The anticipated Mistral breeze decided not to show up and competitors were gifted near perfect racing conditions for their final day.

Moving the start earlier to 10am gave the Race Officer some additional time to extend a series from just four races in five days.

Series leader, Andrea Casale in Fiamma Gialla was in a very strong position with a six point lead over Dan Glomb of Brazil and Francesco Cruciani of Italy. The opening race, in a freshening 18 -20 mph was sailed at the top end of Genoa range and it was not Casale, but Ian Southworth sailing Inmarsat Hedgehog ,who was first to the mark after working the left side of the beat and covering the Italian. Unlike the previous day, Southworth held and extended his lead to take the first race from Casale and Matias Pereira of Argentine in Carrera Bouchon.

Race two, in similar wind, saw the fleet switch to jibs and Casale lead Southworth and Cruciani in Avoltore around the weather mark. Southworth closed down the run and Casale close-covered him up the following beat. But in the gusts and shifts at the second weather mark it was Southworth who got inside Casale to round first and head for the down wind finish line.

A long luffing battle developed between the two boats, with the Jury and other support boats in close pursuit. Casale tried again and again to get over Southworth, or gybe through him, but Southworth extended his lead to win by two or three boat lengths from the Italian. Cruciani finished further back in third, with American, Keith Whitemore, sailing Furio taking fourth.

A third and final race quickly developed into a battle between Casale and Southworth. Southworth stayed with Genoa as Casale changed to jib on the first run. Southworth had been first to the weather mark and built a strong lead. On the second windward Casale cut this down by working the left side of the beat to round just behind Southworth in the surfing conditions. At the leeward mark, Southworth took the right-hand gate and Casale followed him around. Unable to pass, Casale opted to tack hard right whilst Southworth headed to the left, which had previously paid Casale and dominated the run. Up the final beat Southworth held his lead until the final minutes as a twenty degree right-handed lift brought Casale through him to the finish line and rescued Periera from a previously ninth position to third.

Said Ian Southworth: “This was a great day for Inmarsat Hedgehog, following on from the frustration of crew illnesses and then of slipping from first to fifth in one shift yesterday. The J24 competition is tough as ever, with more professional crews still to arrive from around the world. We look forward to a great Championship”.

First Women's helm, preparing for the coming Women’s World Championship Trophy, was Lucy McGregor of Great Britain, sailing Jolly Roger, a 2005 Italian boat owned by Poole sailor, Roger Morris. He joined the crew for the National Championship. McGregor was using old Ullman sails loaned by Ian Southworth to preserve her new Ullman set for the World Championship. Her crew includes Maria Stanley, Bethan Carden, Rebecca Marriott and Nicky McGregor. Asked about her initial experience of the J24, youngest crew member, Maria said “Well it doesn’t bruise like a First Class 8!”

For Andrea Casale, this was a triumphant week as he took a fifth Italian National Championship title, with a lead of 25 points over Periera of Argentine and Glomb of Brazil.

He has been sailing the boat since 2002, combining it with his role in the Sports Division of the Italian Customs Service.

He comments, ”The J24 is a really democratic boat. Many of the classes I sail are now owner driver, meaning I would have to give up sailing to earn enough money to return to sailing later. The J24 is one of the few classes I can step into and drive. It’s a bit like the Laser for accessibility at an affordable price”.

Talking about the coming World Championship, Casale agreed that his crew would be one of the favourites, but then added that any of ten boats could actually win them given the depth of talent in the fleet. He felt that the Brazilian and Argentine would be fast and that Double-World Champion, Mauricio Santa Cruz had yet to arrive. Obviously the USA would provide strong contenders including Hillman and Ingham, with the German Rotoman team also in contention.

And what about Triple European Champion, Ian Southworth?

“Ah yes” said Casale “My crew is worried that he will be here practicing whilst, I am at the Melges 24 Worlds in Porto Cervo. He is very fast in all conditions.”

Andrea Casale’s crew are Ernesto Angeletti (Tactics); Vittorio Rosso (Trimmer); Enzo Di Capua (Pit) and Fabio Montefusco (Bow) all the crew have represented Italy at Olympic level.

The Argentine team are supported by the Argentine Olympic organisation and Glomb of Brazil is just concluding his first year on the International match racing circuit, supported by the Brazilian Federation. The Class has a wide mix of Pros and Amateurs competing on an equal level.