Avoltore leading J/24 Winter Series in Anzio & Nettuno

Avoltore - J/24 Winter Series in Anzio & Nettuno © J/Boats

Over this past weekend, the Rome J/24 Fleet were engaged in a double appointment in the stretch of water known as the Gulf of Anzio and Nettuno (southwest of Rome along the Mediterranean Sea.

In fact, on Saturday, the traditional Lozzi J/24 Trophy kicked off, set up in memory of the owner and helmsman of the J/24 ITA 428 who died prematurely. The trophy goes to the winner of a series of five days (one Saturday a month).

"It was a very hard-fought regatta due to the very weak wind conditions," explained Gianni Riccobono. "In the end, Paolone won. We reached the last mark together, but he was on the inside, so he turned in front and deservedly finished first."

The leaderboard after the first day of the Lozzi Trophy closed with ITA 487 AMERICAN PASSAGE, skippered by the Rome J/24 Fleet Captain- Paolo Rinaldi (LNI Anzio). They were followed by ITA 428 PELLE ROSA skippered by Gianni Riccobono (CDV Roma) and by ITA 458 ENJOY 2 sailed by Luca Silvestri (LNI Anzio). The Lozzi J/24 Trophy will continue on these future Saturdays- 11 December, 15 January 2022, 12 February and 12 March.

Then, on Sunday, about twenty J/24 crews were engaged in the second day of the XLVII Winter Championship organized by Circolo della Vela di Roma, Reale Circolo Canottieri Tevere Remo, LNI of Anzio, Nettuno Yacht Club, in collaboration with the Anzio Sailing Section of the Navy, Marina di Capo d'Anzio and Marina di Nettuno.

"Two races were completed, both with challenging weather conditions. The wind was from the East (90-100 deg.) around 15 knots and a fairly choppy sea," continued Riccobono. "The J/24 of the Centro Vela Altura Napoli of the Italian Navy ITA 416 LA SUPERBA, helmed by Ignazio Bonanno, got two first places, proving yet again they are the fastest and best boat-handlers in these conditions. For the other positions the competition was very heated."

The current leaderboard after the first two stages of the Winter Series sees ITA 501 ALVOTORE (Massimo Mariotti) leading the series. Currently in second place is ITA 447 PELLE NERA (Paolo Cecamore), third is ITA 428 PELLE ROSSA (Gianni Riccobono), fourth sits ITA 216 JUMPING JACK FLASH (Federico Miccio), and rounding out the top five is ITA 358 ARPIONE (Michele Potenza).

The XLVII Winter Championship of Anzio and Nettuno will continue on November 28th, December 12th, January 16th and 30th, February 13th, 26th and 27th and March 13th. As part of this edition, the National Union of Officials- chaired by Luciano Baietti- has set up the special UNUCI Anzio-Nettuno J/24 Challenge Trophy, which will be awarded to the first J/24 classified at the Anzio / Nettuno 2021-22 Winter J/24 Championship.

More Italian J/24 Class sailing information here.