Final results

2012 South Europe Summer Circuit – Results

Deed of Gift

Omisalj, Jult 14-15, 2012. Alexandre Tinoco and Gabriel Borges won the Kvarner Cup and the Summer Circuit

Regatta Report

Piada Paradise – Talamone Edition

By Michelle Morphew

Heaven and paradise were two words we used frequently on the boat as we absorbed the spectacular venue and top-level competition. After years of dreaming, I’ve finally sailed the Piada. For those of you still dreaming, I would highly recommend it!

This year’s Piada was sailed in Talamone, where the wind ranged from perfect to just enough and gorgeous azure water reflected a deep turquoise with the richness of a cobalt blue. Add a few waves and bright sunny skies and it was truly heavenly. While the scenery was mesmerizing, it was important to stay focused amidst wind shifts and top-level competitors from Italy and abroad. The regatta report gives a good picture of the mix of both World and Italian champions on the water, competing in the true Snipe spirit of serious sailing and serious fun.

In this paradise, amazing summer food was also easy to find. While there were no power/energy bars (if you must have them, bring them), steps from the boat ramp there was a cornucopia of fresh fruit available from local farms every morning including apricots, peaches, nectarines, and plums. The fruit was the closest thing to home-grown I’ve tasted since I since I could pick them off our trees in San Diego! Coming off the water we were greeted with piles of delicious watermelon and a few steps away a shop sold fantastic handmade gelato, where as an added bonus they didn’t mind if you showed up straight from the boat ramp. With these kinds of treats, you can just imagine the meals.

Our hosts from the Talamone sailing club and Snipe Italia were also wonderful, making it a fun and welcoming regatta for international sailors. This year we had boats from Brazil, the US, and Norway. Next year I hope to see even more flags flying to welcome competitors to a truly special regatta on the international circuit.

Michelle Morphew

After five successful editions in the waters of Cervia, the Piada Trophy arrived in Talamone for 2012.

This year there were thirty-two boats on the starting line on the Italian West Coast. Unfortunately, at the last minute, some strong foreign teams were not able to participate. Several will compete in the upcoming European Championships, and for these teams two long trips in a month would be too onerous.

It was a spectacular edition of the regatta with three days of beautiful summer sun and a good wind that showed the beauty of the bay of Talamone.

Two international stars of the class sailed: the reigning world champion, Brazilian Alexandre Tinoco with crew Gabriel Borges, and twice world champion American Augie Diaz with crew Kathleen Tocke.

Tinoco, aka Amiguinho, dominated the series with six first places that allowed him to spend the last day of racing with his wife, relaxing on the beautiful shores of this part of Tuscany.

The speed and boat handling of Amiguinho and Borges between the short waves of Snipe Bay was impressive. Continuous movements of the body on each wave in perfect coordination with the sheet in his hand. It was impossible for others, including the great Augie Diaz, to beat the carioca team, even if they had great strategy and created excellent starts.

Augie and Katlheen sailed well, but I saw in the eyes of the strong sailor from Miami some disappointment at not being able to fight better the sailors of Rio de Janeiro. Knowing his determination, I know that he will work to eliminate the small gap that separates him from the reigning world champion.

Paolo Lambertenghi, the good skipper from Torbole, with crew Christian Miorelli, finished in third place, never below the sixth place and impressive for their consistency.

Pietro Fantoni, tipped as one of the favourites, with crew Marinella Gorgatto, was fourth, a point from the podium. A little contract at the beginning but then author of a remarkable progression that culminated with the victory in the last race of the series.

The Rockets (Rochelli) were fifth, always in the game, fighting for the first positions on these waters that they know very well.

Rounding out the top ten we find the current Italian national champions Andrea Zaoli & Davide Ortelli, the young team from Livorno Francesco Granchi & Matteo Bacchi, Antonio & Alessandro Bari, and then Stefano Longhi, Francesco Rossi, and Marco Rinaldi. Milla, Prosperi, Pantano, Gemini, Prati and Andrea Vacchino & Erica Ferraris, both from Sanremo and winners of a race, all also had some excellent races.

Always in the leading group was the legendary Brazilian Bibi Juetz with the athletic Felipe Sabino as crew. Present also was the Norwegian Jorn Haga, master in fair play, with American Michelle Morphew as crew.

The work of the Race Committe, with Tosi as P.R.O., was excellent The courses were always very well set and with the correct length.

The effort of the staff of the sailing club Talmone led by Alessandro Testa, was extraordinary, without imperfection both on the sea and on land where we were always greeted with fresh fruit and drinks. The Friday dinner in the beautiful setting of the clubhousewas excellent, usually characterized by a bingo, with prizes: quality wines and sails offered by Zaoli, always generous on these occasions.

With this event Talamone confirms its ability to organize international races in a setting of rare beauty that has ravished foreign sailors.

Viva Talamone e viva il Piada Trophy!

Alberto Perdisa

Photos

Dopo cinque edizioni di grande successo nelle acque di Cervia, il Piada Trophy è approdato a Talamone. Trentadue barche al via in questa edizione nella west coast italiana, a causa di alcune defezioni dell’ultima ora da parte di equipaggi stranieri e del forfait di alcuni forti equipaggi spagnoli e nordici che parteciperanno al prossimo campionato europeo e per i quali due trasferte in un mese sarebbero state eccessivamente onerose tenendo conto anche dei tempi di crisi economica che stiamo vivendo. Quindi, viste queste premesse, una partecipazione soddisfacente dal punto di vista numerico e certamente di altissimo livello qualitativo.

E’ stata una versione spettacolare della regata con tre giornate di splendido sole estivo e un buon vento che hanno esaltato la bellezza della baia di Talamone.

Presenti due star internazionali della classe, il brasiliano campione del mondo in carica Alexandre Tinoco con il prodiere Gabriel Borges e l’americano due volte mondiale Augie Diaz con Kathleen Tocke.

Tinoco, detto “Amiguinho” ha dominato la serie con sei primi posti che gli hanno permesso di dedicare l’ultima giornata di regata al relax con la giovane moglie sulle splendide coste di questa parte di Toscana.

Impressionante la velocità e la conduzione di Amiguinho” e del suo prodiere tra le onde corte di Snipe Bay. Continui movimenti di corpo su ogni onda in perfetta coordinazione con le scotte in mano. Impossibile per gli altri, compreso il grande Augie Diaz, tentare di battere la coppia carioca, sempre puntuale anche nel bordeggio e autrice di ottime partenze.

Augie e Katlheen hanno regatato bene ma ho intravisto nel fortissimo velista di Miami una certa delusione per non aver potuto contrastare meglio i velisti di Rio de Janeiro. Conoscendo la sua determinazione so che lavorerà per ridurre il piccolo gap che lo separa dal campione in carica.

Al terzo posto finale il forte timoniere di Torbole Paolo Lambertenghi con a prua Christian Morelli, mai oltre il sesto posto e impressionante per regolarità.

Quarto, a un punto dal podio, l’atteso Pietro Fantoni con Marinella Gorgatto. Un po’ contratto all’inizio ma poi autore di una notevole progressione culminata con la vittoria dell’ultima prova della serie.

Quinti i Rockets, molto in palla e sempre a combattere per le prime posizioni in queste acque che ben conoscono.

Nella top ten troviamo poi nell’ordine i campioni italiani in carica Andrea Zaoli –Davide Ortelli, i giovani livornesi emergenti Francesco Granchi –Matteo Bacchi, Antonio e Alessandro Bari e poi Stefano Longhi, Francesco Rossi –Marco Rinaldi. Da citare ottimi spunti e piazzamenti parziali da parte di  Milla, Prosperi, Pantano, Gemini, Prati e del sanremese Andrea Vacchino con la giovane ma esperta Erika Ferraris, autore di un primo di giornata. Sempre nel gruppo a ridosso dei primi la mitica veterana brasiliana Bibi Juetz con a prua l’atletico Felipe Sabino. Presente anche il norvegese, maestro di sportività, Jorn Haga con a prua la statunitense Michelle Morphew.

Ottimo il lavoro del comitato di regata presieduto da Tosi con regate molto ben disposte e della corretta lunghezza.

Straordinario lo sforzo dello staff del circolo vela Talmone capitanato da Alessandro Testa, senza sbavature in mare e a terra dove siamo sempre stati accolti da frutta fresca e bevande. Ottima la cena del venerdì nella incantevole cornice della sede del Circolo, caratterizzata dal solito Piada bingo con in palio vini di qualità e vele offerte dalla veleria Zaoli, sempre generosa in queste occasioni.

Con questa manifestazione Talamone conferma la sua attitudine ad organizzare regate di livello internazionale in un contesto di rara bellezza che ha rapito i velisti stranieri.

Viva Talamone e viva il Piada Trophy.

Alberto Perdisa

Alexandre Tinoco, Alessandro Testa and Gabriel Borges