J24 Blog

Chris McClaghlin reports from the J/24 Italian Nationals.

After two days of Scirroco winds clocking-in at over 40 mph, competitors awoke to the opening day of the J24 and no wind. Cannigione will host the J24 Class World Championship from June 5th and some competitors are using these Nationals to get an early look at the conditions.

The race committee managed three races in force 2 – 3 conditions today but the course area is surrounded by steep hills and an rocky outcrops. The result is a gust cell environment, driven by the thermals generated on the land mass. American, Keith Whitemore, summed up the day saying “You could see the gusts on the water, but they don’t come to you. You have to sail to them”.

Andrea Casale leads the fleet with a 1,3, 2 result line. Whittemore is currently 5th with a 13, 5, 4.