Sailor of the Year rocks the Internet, 5,000 votes, 26,000 clicks! Here’s how it’s going

We in the editorial staff are all in disbelief: it has been less than 24 hours (21 exactly, for the record) since the TAG Heuer Velista of the Year “ballot boxes” opened and you have already cast 5,041 votes for the 100 candidates in the big poll on the new dedicated website http://velistadellanno.giornaledellavela.com, visited 26,615 times.

You have left us speechless! Keep up the good work!

FIND OUT THE CANDIDATES AND VOTE FOR THEM RIGHT HERE!

HOW IS IT GOING
Let’s take a look at the provisional rankings, reminding you that the first round of voting will close on Feb. 15 at 12 noon, and the 50 sailors with the most votes will go through. You may assign a maximum of three votes upon entering your email.

THE LEADER.
At the time of writing, Pierluigi De Felice leads the ranking: we have received so many comments in support of him, he is at 425 votes, and he seems intent on not giving up. Neapolitan born in 1981, after his success in the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series circuit with Sap, again with the same crew he finished third in 2018 but more importantly sealed his return to Luna Rossa in the team that will challenge the America’s Cup in 2021. If that was not enough, he took part in Stig’s victory in the Melges 40 circuit.

THE FOLLOWER.
In second place was an ocean sailor, Ambrogio Beccaria, with 386 votes. The young symbol of Italian sailing in the ocean, shore Mini 650, Milanese born in 1991. In 2018, he won everything there was to win with his new Pogo 3 Geomag, including the difficult Les Sables – Horta – Les Sables, taking first place out of six regattas at the French Offshore Championship dedicated to minis, and finishing second in the only one where he was not victorious. At the Paris Salon he was crowned French champion of “course au large,” certifying a dominance that for long stretches appeared unchallenged.

THE FIRST OF THE VERY YOUNG
The first in the “Young” category at the moment is Matteo Sericano, who shares “specialization” with Ambrose. Class of 1997, pure oceanic talent. In his first season in Mini 650, at age 21, he became the Mediterranean champion of the class. He won the X2 ranking of the Palermo-Montecarlo on the small Grand Soleil 34 Agylion led in doubles with Alberto Bona. He currently has 347 votes and is in third place overall.

THE TOP TEN AND THE LAST USEFUL PLACE
Completing the top ten are:
4. Marco Carpinello (Sailors) – 274 votes
5. Oris Martino D’Ubaldo (Designers/Managers) – 211 votes
6. Francesca Clapcich (Sailors) – 184 votes
7. Yakamoz (Ovni 42 by Giampolo and Basak Gentili) (Boats) – 176 votes
8. Gianluigi Ugolini and Maria Giubilei (Young) – 173 votes
9. Francesco Belvisi and Daniele Cevola (Designers/Managers) – 166 votes
10. Morgan IV (GS39 by Nicola de Gemmis) (Boats) – 165 votes

Everything can change, and we are only at the beginning. Currently, in 50th place, the last one useful to advance to the next stage, are brothers Furio and Gabriele Benussi, with 13 votes.

Our editorial staff will constantly update you with news, posts on Facebook and stories on Instagram, on the Sail Newspaper profile and on the Sailor of the Year profile.

THREE VOTES PER PHASE
Starting this year there are two new features: it will be possible to cast three votes per stage (and no longer just one)! You can decide to give three preferences to a single candidate, or divide them among several candidates. For the validation of each vote, you will be asked for your email address: we recommend that you type in the right one; you will find out why in a moment:

VOTE AND WIN!
This year there are two more (mouth-watering) opportunities to vote for your favorite Velista of the Year candidates. Among all the survey voters who will take part in the Evening of Champions (you will be asked to register for the event with the email you provided during voting), on Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at theTAG Heuer VELAFestival, will be raffled off a prestigious Aquaracer chronograph from our longtime partner TAG Heuer And, thanks to new partner of the Sailor of the Year Globesailor a long weekend on a boat provided by Sail Italy (May 8-9-10, 2020 in the base of Procida aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 38, 3 cabins and 2 bathrooms, skipper not included).

FIND OUT ALL THE NEWS ABOUT THE SAILOR OF THE YEAR