“Changed regulations, boat less safe”: Clandesteam denounces, then capsizes and smashes everything

Afew days ago we told you about the controversy that erupted a few days before the Centomiglia del Garda: the favored boat (already three victories at the Garda classic), Clandesteam, complained about a rule change that not only penalized it but also undermined the safety of the hull itself. It said in the statement issued by the team that the boat, under new tonnage rules, had been lengthened by one meter, fitted with a new bulb and at a maximum crew limit of 1,000 kilos.

WHAT IF CLANDESTEAM IS RIGHT?
Excessive “conspiracy” thinking? Maybe, but maybe not, judging by what happened at the Gorla Trophy, traditionally the “prelude” to the Centomiglia. Clandesteam, with Oscar Tonoli and Luca Valerio aboard, capsized and broke the terraces. Our contributor Adriano Gatta was following the regatta and saw the scene live: it is his photos that we show you.

PHOTOS OF THE RUPTURE OF THE TERRACES AND THE SCUFFLE

CHRONICLE OF A SPECTACULAR SCUFFLE
Here is Adriano’s account: “Just before the Campione buoy a break in the left deck restraint causes all men to fall into the void. Fortunately, the restraints of the trapezoids are holding, and they manage with a few dents to get everyone back in place. Precious minutes lost. But it is at the Torbole buoy that during the gybe, it seems for a steering wheel not left and cmq as you can see from the images, also because hindered by the presence of the inner ace at the buoy the boat performs a spectacular scuff causing almost all the men to end up in the water (Oscar Tonoli included): bravissimo the crew that in less than three minutes manages to right the boat almost as if it were a Laser, get back on board, put back on clear sheets and halyards that have become fouled, restart in strap with mainsail and jib and then, finally to hoist the gennaker. Still increasing the gap, Tonoli in the edge to Acquafresca manages to recover much of the accumulated disadvantage but by now the Bogliaco buoy is too close to engage in a tactical battle with the opponents. Rematch next Saturday at the Centomiglia“.