European J/70: Rossi dynasty continues to reign

The J/70 European Championships had started quietly with an uncooperative Lake Garda, Malcesine shore, with the fleet of more than 120 crews that arrived for the rainbow event. And instead finally, after long waits and a few races in unlikely conditions, the long-awaited Hour arrived, the typical southerly wind starting to blow in the middle hours of the day and continuing until sunset.

After five intense days of racing and fourteen races held as per the Notice of Race, the crew of Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries led by Claudia Rossi once again climbs to the top step of the European podium, returning to win the title they had already taken in the European Championships in Kiel in 2016 and Hamble in 2017. Add in the title won in Portugal by Claudia’s father, Alberto, in 2018, and the J/70s mark a true “Rossi dynasty,” which continues to assert itself at the highest level of the class.

The crew of Petite Terrible-Adria Ferries, third on the eve of the grand final, held their nerve in the three trials final and, with partials of 4-6-2, climbed back to the top of the overall standings, leaving behind the Germans of Mission Possible, silver medalist, and the Italians on Mauro Roversi’s J-Curve, third.

Sailing on Petite Terrible along with Claudia Rossi were Giulio Desiderato, Matteo Mason, Rossella Losito and Michele Paoletti.