Sailing starts again in Chiavari. What a success the TAG Heuer VELA Cup was!

So much for Covid! The TAG Heuer VELA Cup VELAFestival in Chiavari, in cooperation with the Marina Resort Calata Ovest, marked the return of regattas to Italy. At last seventy boats of all kinds, from the small prototype skiff Fenix by the Polytechnic University of Turin (PoliTo Sailing Team), made 75 percent from recycled products and basalt fiber, to Adele Chiroli’s Grand Soleil 56 Emotions, brought to life a two-day sailing and fun event in the Gulf of Tigullio.

THE TAG HEUER VELA CUP CHIAVARI VIDEO

BIG PARTY AT SEA AND ON LAND

The stars were definitely the two races (both characterized by light winds, never above 12 knots), which were completed by all the competing boats. But also to be remembered was the big party in Mazzini Square on Saturday night.

The Tigullio Big Band, composed of 19 jazz musicians, enlivened the evening and the awards ceremony, conducted by our own Alberto Cossu and featuring Eugenio Michelino, CEO of Calata Ovest. Hundreds of people at a safe distance watched and took part in Saturday’s VELA Cup awards presentation.

Seen at sea and on the dock are Mayor Marco Di Capua, who participated in the regatta with the X332 Freelance, Renato Marconi, the CEO of Marinedi (aboard the Grand Soleil Linus), well-known TV commentator Guido Meda on the Swan 45 Tengher, and Dario Noseda, 2018 Sailor of the Year.

HARD ROCK HAS FILLED UP
Overall winner of the stage on corrected time was Massimo and Mauro Uggè’s Ufo 28 Hard Rock, who won a stunning TAG Heuer Aquaracer as well as Speedy Carbonium antifouling and Veneziani’s Adherpox primer as overall winners. For them also a sailing backpack offered by Doyle Sails Italia (two other backpacks went to the first place winner in the “Regatta” and “Cruise” categories).

ALL WINNERS
After two days of racing the winners are these, category by category.

Regatta 1 (up to 7.50 m in length). Celestine 3, Este 24 by Luigi Frixione

Regatta 2 (7.51 to 11.00 m). Hard Rock, Ufo 28 by Massimo and Mauro Uggè

Regatta 3 (11.01 to 13.00 m). Captains Coraggioni, X-41 by Guido Santoro

Regatta 4 (13.01 to 15.00 m). Tengher, Swan 45 by Alberto Magnani

Regatta 5 (over 15.o1 m). Emotions, Grand Soleil 56 by Adele Chiroli

Cruise 3 (11.01 to 13.00 m). Blu Redian, Grand Soleil 40 by Fabio Possamai

Cruise 4 (13.01 to 15.00 m). Pestifera II, Dufour 44 by Stefano Ferrari

Below are all the complete rankings:

FIND OUT THE COMBINED CLASS RANKINGS OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY’S SAILING CUP REGATTA

FIND OUT THE COMBINED CRUISING CLASS STANDINGS OF THE SAILING CUP ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

THE OTHER AWARDS

The special Vintage Boats (built before 1969) award went to Francesco Gandolfi’s Caligu III, a 1965 hull.

The special award for Classic Boats (built before 1988) is Mä Vista, Sangermani of 1972 by Bruno Cova.

The Gentleman Yachting prize, a Sail-O bracelet provided by My Match Race, was won by the PoliTo Sailing Team boys. Lots of prizes, not just for the winners: a SUP from Vetus, a Deckvest Spinlock jacket provided by Harken and an InReach satellite device offered by Garmin were raffled off.

Last, but not least: it really has to be said for the prize reserved for the last real time winner of Saturday’s VELA Cup. It was won by Paradise, Gianluca Dilda’s Oceanis 390.

WATCH ALL THE PHOTOS by Stefano Camba and Guido De Palma

APPOINTMENT IN CAPRERA!

Now the TAG Heuer VELA Cup moves to the crystal waters of the Maddalena Archipelago, where the second leg of the circuit will be staged on Monday, August 24, in Caprera, in the bay of Porto Palma (home of the Caprera Sailing Center). Registration and info HERE