How good was the VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando? PHOTOS and CLASSIFICATIONS.

“But are you doing the regatta in Capo d’Orlando? Because the forecast is calling for rain and wind…” someone asked us in the days before the VELA Cup in Capo d’Orlando, Sicily, thelast leg of the 2024. Yes we did the regatta, and it was – as always – a beautiful day of sailing, sport and sea. And patience if some of the 45-plus registered boats got cold feet, due to the not-so-optimistic forecast, and did not join us at the Capo d’Orlando Marina. We look forward to seeing you next year!

The stories and boats of the VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando 2024

As we leave the harbor and approach the race course on the support dinghy we quickly realize that it is going to be a fun day for the crews at sea. There is certainly no shortage of wind, and accompanying it is a nice five-foot-two wave that doesn’t frighten the crews, however. And then there is a sun that warms the temperature to about 25 degrees, not bad in October!

Among the 28 boats that crossed the starting line on the morning of Saturday, October 5, there are specimens with a few years of life, such as Cassiopea, a 1972 EC26 entirely made of wood, restored by its new owner Carmelo Isgrò (or rather, by MuMa, the Sea Museum of Milazzo) presented a few days ago at Luna Rossa ‘s base in Barcelona during the America’s Cup (“I swear, as long as I was there the final was still a tie,” Carmelo is keen to point out) and at its first “official” outing precisely at the VELA Cup. However, there are also modern boats, such as Saverio Imparato ‘s Flash, the ORC 42 catamaran from the French yard Marsaudon Composite, a catamaran that really goes sailing, and fast too.

Then there were stories and mythical boats such as the 1992 Duck 40 Paperini of Paloma De la Torre (Spanish) and Andrea Guarracino (Italian), who on their way back to Calabria from Rome decided to stop in Capo d’Orlando to participate in the regatta. But the most incredible story of the VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando is that of 11-year-old Elda, who in her first regatta – crewed only by her dad Carlo Bonomolo – even won in her class aboard Cucuncia, a 2011 Oceanis 34 (also awarded Elegant Boat).

How the regatta went

Compared to the 11:00 a. m. scheduled start for the morning of Saturday, October 5, the regatta started a little late. In fact, there is a bit of a wave in the water, and even the dinghy of the posaboe setters is having a bit of a hard time marking the course. In fact, someone gets out of the harbor and then reports on the VHF, “We are too few people on board for these conditions, reluctantly…but we are pulling out.”

Those who stay, however, have a great time! Because the day is truly spectacular and you can almost perfectly see the Aeolian Islands, right in front of the waters of Capo d’Orlando where the regatta takes place. A triangle and a stick, with coinciding start and finish lines: simple and straightforward, but with this sea the fun is assured. The first crews return to port – wet from head to toe – after just under an hour and a half.

The real-time podium consists of Sagola Spartivento, Battiston-Sorrentino-Fornich’s Farr 45, followed by Geisha, Giuseppe Giuffré’s First 50, and Mascalzone Siculo, Emanuele Cosio’s First 45 SK.

Click here to download the full rankings

The special awards of the VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando

After the customary greetings and thanks from those in charge who took the stage, architect Giuseppe Mangano – President of Marina Capo d’Orlando and Enza di Raimondo – Director of Marina Capo d’Orlando, Francesco Federico – sports director of Yacht Club Capo d’Orlando, and Spartivento’s marketing manager Matteo Arlacchi, the awards began on stage.

Cucuncia, a 2011 Beneteau Oceanis 34, won the Elegant Boat award reserved for the boat that stood out for elegance during the leg, regardless of the result. Marina Capo d’Orlando sailors and staff won the Gentleman Yachting award for supporting the organization of the leg and the smooth running of the entire VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando. Cassiopeia, MuMa’s EC26, won the special prize for the last real time finisher, showing tenacity and determination to complete the course to the end.

Geisha, Giuseppe Giuffré’s First 50, on the other hand, won the Beneteau prize – the boatyard’s first classified boat – offered by Spartivento: hauling, launching and hull at the Multinautic 2.0 shipyard. Presenting the prize took the stage – representing Spartivento Charter – marketing manager Matteo Arlacchi, who thanked all the crews and the marina for contributing to the success of the regatta (and the day), which for the second year in a row saw the collaboration of the Rome-based charter and sales company.

VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando – Prizes raffled off

Those who are familiar with the VELA Cup know: there are a lot of raffle prizes offered by our partner partners Moby, IBSA, Honda, HiNelson, Garmin, Leatherman, ACSI Vela, Veneziani Yachting, Plastimo, YachtIngBond, and AMBECO.

The Garmin GPSMAP 86s handheld GPS was won by Paloma De la Torre while the Leatherman Skeletool CX utility knife was won by Leone Calabrò. Davide Momigliano took home the YachtIngBond sailing jacket and Carmelo Isgrò the HiNelson backpack. The ACSI Vela sailing course was won by Giovanni Pizzimenti, the 40 percent discount on Moby A/R Livorno – Olbia by Francesco Badessa, the3-year “Paper + Digital”subscription to the Giornale della Vela by Carmelo Di Giorgio and the Plastimo Pilot 165N life jacket by Roberto Randazzo. Finally, Vincenzo Comi won the IBSA Wellness Box, and Honda Antonino Pollicino’s BF2.3outboard motor . Marina Capo d’Orlando offered a voucher for one night at the Motel Sestante, inside the Marina, won by Christian Corrieri, and a €150 voucher to spend on Marina Capo d’Orlando services, won by Emilio Rotondi.

See all the photos of the VELA Cup Capo d’Orlando

See you next year!

The one in Capo d’Orlando was thelast stop of the VELA Cup 2024 circuit. It was great to have you this year in Chiavari, Marina Cala de’ Medici, Brindisi, Cala dei Sardi, Procida and – indeed – Capo d’Orlando. We would like to thank all the crews who participated and all the sponsors who gave us a hand so that we could organize so many stages around Italy again this year. For those who were not able to participate or for those who are looking forward to another VELA Cup, we just have to say: see you next year!

Photos by John Mitolo

Federico Rossi