Giraglia, the account of the gale aboard Gianin VI

We have told you many stories about this memorable edition of the Giraglia, those of the rescued boats complete with helicopters and those of those who could have won–but preferred to rescue their direct opponent. Now we leave the floor to one of our old acquaintances, Ciccio Supparo, owner of the Hallberg-Rassy 41 Gianin VI. It is no coincidence that we used the word “old”: Gianin is a 1976 hull (but the design dates back to 1963), winner of two Giraglie. This time it did not go as well from a ranking standpoint, but the crew had an experience, that of the gale, that will remain etched in the memory of each and every member.

THE WAR BULLETIN
“Gianin’s friends, in the long race from Saint Tropez to Genoa, via the Giraglia rock in Corsica, we went through the strongest gale in the boat’s history, and fortunately no one was very hurt (some just a little…) and we all returned to port safe, including the boat. But not indemnified, not even the boat. One got a little bit torn off a finger on his hand, I got a cut with 10 cm bump on my head, the bruises and small cuts are not counted, etc…. Gianin lost a mainmast topmast cheesecloth, a pulverized sail, torn borosas, an exploded stopper, ruined halyards, torn antennas, etc…But the bilge pump, operated by me several times in the gale, did not pull out a single drop of water …!

IF YOU TREAT IT, IT WON’T BETRAY YOU
This week we will immediately begin repair work, which is essential to continue racing and sailing. I know they will all be done well or even better. It is important, you know, that jobs, rather than just done, (as lately some do just to bill, evidently far removed from the seafaring mindset and skills!!!) are really done right, even if it takes a few minutes, or a few hours, or a few days longer, … of course within the scope of the healthy conscience and honesty of the operator …! During the gale we were able to endure and continue, because GIANIN’s maintenance in past years has always been done to the best of our ability, and thanks to this manic, and often judged excessive, attention, important things did not give way, allowing us all to return home in fair condition, including the boat. In this gale, for THREE boats and about FOURTY people, this was not the case! And when you are there, … in the night, … with four-meter raging waves pounding and submerging and shaking the sixteen tons of the boat like a twig in the wind, … and also your heart, … just like in the worst nightmare you hoped you would never experience, … you’re waiting in terror for something to give way, because it doesn’t seem possible that under those conditions the whole thing can resist … it cannot withstand … it is far beyond the possibility and endurance of materials … If it didn’t happen, it was precisely because of the care and professionalism of those who cared for her over the years, and, at the forefront, Gianin’s maintainers, along with Franco … Gianin’s Friend who always loved her and treated her as his own daughter….”

MORE:

SENSATIONAL: I LOST THE GIRAGLIA TO SAVE A BOAT


WHAT HAPPENED TO THE “GALE JUGGERNAUT”

ALL THE GIRAGLIA WINNERS
TALES AND STORIES LIVE FROM THE GALE JUGGERNAUT
GALLERY – SAVE! HOURS OF PANIC AT THE GIRAGLIA