That departure of the Moor and the other stories of the 2020 Veleziana. PHOTOS

We ended the season on a high note, with the last leg of the TAG Heuer VELA Cup even taking place in Venice, in the most beautiful city in Italy, with the collaboration of the Compagnia della Vela and as part of the Veleziana. Numbers in hand, it was the most crowded regatta in Italy this 2020, just as the VELA Cup was once again a circuit that brought thousands of fans to the sea in a difficult year.

We believe in this formula, and it is the sailors who agree with us: a regatta/sailing event with a few simple rules, without tonnage certificates, where fun counts first and only afterwards the ranking. We believed in it again this year and made it all the way to the finish line, ready to start again in 2021.

WHAT A PARTY IN VENICE

About a thousand people took part in the lagoon sailing event for a total of 190 boats, ranging from maxi yachts (over thirty meters) to six meters. There was no shortage of competition, with great shared and international participation (boats from Croatia, Slovenia, England, Switzerland, Germany…). And it was not just the maxi race even though the first on the finish line was one of them, Portopiccolo, followed by Arca Sgr, Way of life, Pendragon and Anywave.

It was also the Veleziana of the Moor of Venice. Indeed, aboard the Venetian Red Arrow, whose owner is Gianfranco Natali, eight of the protagonists of that boat that was able to keep so many Venetians glued in front of the TV were reunited. The late-night risings to witness the exploits of that group of sportsmen remain indelible in the minds of fans, to the point that although more than 30 years have passed, the Moor remains the Moor. And the now-grown boys proved again that they have a say, with a spectacular left tack start ahead of the entire fleet. From that beautiful page of Venetian history were present: Dudi Coletti (Skipper/Tailer), Davide Innocenti (Tactician), Vittorio Landolfi (Bowman), Marco Schiavuta (Drizzista), Daniele Bresciano (Tailer), Carlo Castellano (Grinder), Sergio Mauro (Grinder). In addition to them, rounding out the crew were Carlo Brenco (Driver), Paolo Masserdotti (Navigator), Luca Giacomini (Tailer), Piergiorgio Oss (Helper Bowman), Gianni Cosenza (Flyer), Alessandro Bortoluzzi (Grinder), Nicola Catullo (Grinder), and Eleonora Tonello (Jolly).

And in the rankings however, it was not only the big guys who did well, but also small boats. Like the Melges 32 (top photo) Al 217, one of the smallest boats in the fleet, which finished 14th across the line, and first in Class 4, battling against boats several meters longer.

Excellent results also for Class 2 boats, such as the Trevisan family’s Millennium 40 Hauraki, with father and son aboard,20th overall and second in class. Even more important was the performance of Fragolina (photo below), Omero Giangrandi’s Twelve OD, winner in Class 2 and 15th overall.

OUR PARTNERS

Accompanying us through this intense TAG Heuer VELA Cup season were the prizes raffled off at each stop by our partners. An Acquaracer watch from TAG Heuer, a Sup from the Yellow Vetus line, exclusive sailing bagpack from Doyle Sailing, a self-inflating jacket from Spinlock, and a Garmin Inreach satellite communicator. The 2020 VELA Cup was also a success because of them, the companies that believe and invest in sailing.

www.velacup.it

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