Talamone Winter Trophy – Final

Talamone, November 1-3, 2013. Results and regatta report by Kathleen Tocke (photo courtesy of Paolo Cardoni).

This past weekend, Talamone hosted the Winter Trophy. Twenty-five teams from all parts of Italy traveled to the pictoresque town for a weekend of quality racing. This year, the Italians were joined by Manu Hens (BEL) sailing with Maj Kristin Hansen Borgen (NOR) and Augie Diaz & Kathleen Tocke (USA). Once again, Alessandro Testa and his team of volunteers at the Circolo della Vela Talamone ran a superb event which is always typified by excellent Race Committee and incredible off-water hospitality.

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Unlike the cold temperature last year, sailors sailed the first two days in lycras under the warm Tuscan sun. On day one, three races were sailed in 4-7 knots of breeze and flat water. Pietro Fantoni (Moruzzo) and Laura Cerni (Trieste) displayed incredible speed , particularly in the downwinds. Pietro and Laura won the first two races of the day and Enrico Solerio and Sergio Simonetti finally showed their true speed to win the last race. Super Crew Daniela Semec (Trieste) and her fabulous skipper Fabio (Trieste) also had an excellent first day with two seconds.

Sailors awoke day two to glassy waters and an AP flag. By the late afternoon, the Race Committee ushered the fleet to the water. Sailors waited on the water with the Equipe and D-One fleets. Augie and Kathleen traded their Snipe with a young team sailing the junior Equipe boat and even Race Committee Chair Alessandro Testa switched into a Snipe to sail for a bit. Winds arrived late, but the Committee was able to run one race in light breeze. The race was won by Diaz and Tocke.

Saturday night was a classic evening in Talamone. The town hosted a traditional caldarroste – Vin Brulee (hot wine), hot chocolate, and roasted chesnuts – in the central Piazza. This was followed by a four course meal at the club. Stefano Longhi, “warmed-up” from the caldarroste in the neighboring town of Orbettello, officiated over the handing out of regatta t-shirts. Particularly amusing was the D-One fleet wearing their Winter Trophy t-shirts with the image of a friendly Snipe wearing a winter cap.

Day three of the Winter Trophy brought winds 18 – 23 knots and big waves. However, due to the size and crazy nature of the waves at the harbor entance, the AP flag was flown. Despite the flag, Enrico and Sergio showed their skill sailing in the awesome conditions to a crowd of sailors watching from the city walls. Due to concerns for safety, the RC cancelled racing for the day. Another wonderful meal was served to the sailors at the Prize Giving . The team of Fantoni & Cerni finished the regatta in first, Diaz & Tocke in second, and last years winners, Solerio and Simonetti in third. An impressive finish of fifth place went to Francesco Granchi (Pietrobianca) & Valerio Gavazzi (Rosignano Solvay) who are new to the Class.

1. ITA Pietro Fantoni & Laura Cerni

2. USA Augie Diaz & Kathleen Tocke

3. ITA Enrico Solerio & Sergio Simonetti

4. ITA Fabio Rochelli & Daniela Semec

5. Francesco Granchi & Valerio Gavazzi

Winter_Trophy_-_Classifica_definitiva.pdf