Classic Snipe “Veloce” and the Criterium di Primavera in Sanremo

The interest generated by the classic 1963 Snipe “Veloce” I-14858 at the Yacht Club Sanremo and the curiosity of seeing a 50-year-old boat on the starting line perfectly in shape was enough, the race results don’t matter.

It means that the sitka spruce wood mast is beautiful but not as powerful as a modern aluminum one with a four to one purchase on the jib halyard! Or that the 32 kg bronze pivot centerboard is a little bit heavy!

It also means that the crew was not…how can I say…so experienced and aggressive as well! Despite powerful and wonderful new sails in Dacron Classic/Cream.

But in the meanwhile 26 Italian classic Snipe are sailing again and more are under restoration.

Thanks to the interest of Alberto Perdisa and Gina Zaoli, today several wood masts are under restoration as well. Taking the mast of the Veloce as a base model, a prototype of a new improved wood mast that will stand up to modern halyard tension is under production by shipbuilders and mast experts to test power: details will follow…

It also demonstrates how the Class is able to obtain improvement in performance even if conservative and respectful of the heritage.

This is an occasion to compare and remember the story of the Snipe and the old superb wood craftsmanship, not letting it disappear.

A different comparison is when it was possible to have a fleet of classic Snipes from 1945 to 1970 sailing and racing together, as in Sanremo at the two dedicated Coppa Italia events arranged in recent years by Beppe and Gina Zaoli along with AYDE – the Italian association of classic yachts & dinghies.

The 2012 Coppa Italia will be in Sanremo in September.

Another different comparison is when it is possible to have dozens of classic yachts & dinghies as Snipe, FD, FJ, Finn, Dinghy 12p, Italian A and U Class, Feather 14, Amelia, Yole OK, Strale, 5.5 SI , Sciarrelli 6 mt boat, Star, Dragon, Requin, etc. all together at the AYDE/Marina Yachting events and festivals in Italy’s most beautiful places: Sanremo, Portofino, Camogli, Porto San Giorgio, Orta Lake, Bellagio, Trieste, Naples, Livorno, Viareggio, La Spezia along with the exposition held at Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

2012 AYDE/Marina Yachting Calendar: www.derivedepoca.com