Everything is set at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to welcome owners and crews of the J 24 one-design class for their European Championship in the waters off Porto Cervo.
Proceedings will get underway tomorrow, 12 June, with a practice race followed by the Skipper’s Briefing and Welcome Cocktail, and conclude on Sunday 16 June. At the moment the competitors are busy with measurement checks and completing enrolment procedures.
The event is organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the International J 24 Class Association and the Italian J24 Class Association under the aegis of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and World Sailing. Range Rover, institutional partner of the YCCS, supports the regatta as title sponsor.
At 7.32 metres long, equal to 24 feet – hence the name, the J/24 made yachting history by offering a one-design keelboat. Designed by American Rod Johnstone in the mid-1970s, mass production began in 1977. It is estimated that at least 5,500 units have been built worldwide to date, and classes are firmly established in at least 27 countries. This small boat has contributed significantly to the spread of competitive sailing around the world, and many big names in international sailing have won international J/24 championships in the past.
The 50 boats taking part hail from 21 nations, with a total of over 250 sailors on the water. Twenty-eight Italian competitors have signed up, with Germany being the most represented foreign nation, fielding 9 boats, followed by Great Britain and Hungary with 3 crews each. Two non-European teams are also taking part, one from Australia and one from the USA, whose results will not be included in the scoring for the European Championship. Up to 10 windward-leeward races are scheduled, and a minimum of 4 races will need to be completed for the European Championship to be valid.
The list of entrants includes reigning European champion Headcase – helmed by Cillian Dickson of Ireland, the European vice-champion Schwere Jungs – skippered by Stephan Karsunke of Germany, Jamaica skippered by Pietro Diamanti – President of the Italian J/24 class, La Superba representing the Italian Navy – two-time European champion and current world vice-champion with Ignazio Bonanno at the helm, Bruschetta Guastafeste co-owned by the Ciceri sisters and Ancilla Scaccia, Avoltore owned by the Honorary President of the Italian class Massimo Mariotti, with Francesco Cruciani at the helm, Aria helmed by the head of the Sardinian J/24 fleet Marco Frulio, and Vigne Surrau from the local Club Nautico Arzachena.
Competitors will enjoy refreshments in Piazza Azzurra after racing each day, while on 15 June all participants are invited to attend a Regatta Dinner at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The event will conclude on 16 June with the awarding of the European title during the Prize-Giving Ceremony in Piazza Azzurra.
For further information, entry list, programme, press release, photos visit the YCCS website
