J24 Blog

[source: J24 Arzachena]

Arzachena – Cannigione, May 30, 2008. Andrea Casale is the new Italian J24 Champion. The victory came after seven highly technical races and six races that the 45 competitors had to surrender over almost two full days to the inclement weather. The seven races have been very important for the Club Nautico Arzachena which has been able to test it’s organizational machine ahead of Worlds, which will start on June 8 and involve as many as 76 crews from 18 countries.

Genovese Andrea Casale, 35 years old, employed by the Guardia di Finanza, after four previous Italian titles 2002-2003-2004-2006, has added another jewel to his crown, but the credit is shared by the entire “Fiamma Gialle” crew, consisting of: Fabio Montefusco, Enzo Di Capua, Ernesto Angeletti and Vittorio Rosso. Casale was without doubt the most consistent with three victories, three second places and one third place.
This allowed him to win the Italian title, besting Luigi Ravioli (J di F) and Francesco Cruciani (Alvatore).

In the fourth and final day the race committee got off three races: the first two were won by Ian Southworth on British Hedgehog while the third, the final race, was another bullet for Casale.

Among the Sardinian crews the top finisher is Mariolino Di Fraia Botta of the Naval League of Arzachena in ninth position overall, fifth for the Italian championship, followed Alberto Bini of Sardares Club Nautico of Arzachena.

The Gulf of Arzachena and all of the logistical and organizational infrastructure in Cannigione await the World Championship. Casale, Ravioli, Cruciani and 23 other Italian boats will move to the bigger stage and be challenged by the best J24 sailors in the world, most notably the current World title holder, the Brazilian Mauricio Santa Cruz.

Final standings are here.