40 YEARS OF SAILING STORIES Giorgio Falck “Only those who have it, understand.”

Guia III in 1976 sank struck by a killer whale in the ocean. Owner Giorgio Falck, who is not on board, recounts what it feels like to lose a boat that he felt he loved rather than owned

“This in captain Norman speaking… The crew is fine, but the boat sank…The instant effect was that of the world turning upside down,

as had happened to me, physically, as a child, when I had fallen off a horse. Only boat owners can understand. He can understand the affection-no, the accumulation of affections that a boat contains: the quartz watch “guaranteed two seconds a month,” a gift from my uncle and companion to the many stops during the round-the-world voyage; the sextant with which I had made my first stitches, hesitantly, in ’71; the blue blanket on which a kind hand had embroidered “reserved for Giorgio.” And that wonderful smooth, jewel-thin hull that Gigi and I had wrested from total destruction on Baratti beach: it had been a matter of hours, at four o’clock the boat was deposited on the tombolo, and at six o’clock a force-nine swell was hitting the beach…But everything was contained in that damn monosyllable: sunk.

“”My name is Vincenzoni, I’m a friend of your brother-in-law, I’m calling from Los Angeles. I’ve been studying killer whales for three years; I’m writing a book on them.” “Say, say.” “It is a terrible and fascinating animal: once in New Zealand a fishing boat injured a female with its propeller. The male sank the fishing boat, planking seventy millimeters (the Guia has 35 mm). A month later, in the same place, a crew of six was killed by the raging beast.”

I know, dear Mr. Vincenzoni, that sea monsters are all the rage…. But I, you see, am interested in boats and not in orcas, hateful animal of all. I am interested in racing and not in violence. Disjointed things. At least I thought so. And I curse those who said, ‘II Guia is an exceptional boat that doesn’t win, it’s unlucky.'”

WHO IS GIORGIO FALCK

Giorgio Falck (1938-2004), a fine yachtsman and courageous sailor, was one of the great contributors to the Giornale della Vela, recounting the adventures of his boats with which he participated in regattas around the world. Owner of famous boats, such as the Guia III sunk during the Atlantic Triangle race in 1976.

DISCOVER THE “STORIES OF 40 YEARS OF SAILING”