Tim Tavinor with Nicola and Thomas Wilton sailing GBR 744 their new Petticrow “Tigger” managed to keep the main contender NED 410 Apollo (Joop Doomernik, Catja Everhall-Blom and Martin Payne) behind them in the final race of the 2012 Regate International Di Napoli to win the event by three points… Naples delivered three days of cloud free, blue skies and penetrating sunshine with sea breezes of up to 14kts… It is no wonder this magnificent venue was selected for the 1960 Olympic Games.
Nicola proudly holds the prestigious Trophy, with husband Thomas (left) and Tim Tavinor.
Despite a smallish fleet, the racing was extremely close and although Tigger and Apollo finished with 3 race wins each, it was the Italian President Gianni Murzi Ezio helming his beautiful ITA 62 (teak deck Doomernik) “Fetch the Dragon” who won the 7th and final race yesterday. At the prize giving both Tim and Gianni thanked the Real Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia for hosting such an organised and fantastically well run event, both promised the Yacht Club’s President, that they would return next year with hopefully more sailors so that this impressive Italian bay can again be full of Dragons as it was in 1960..
Finishing 3rd overall behind “Apollo” was HUN 53 “Jampec” helmed by Lorand Gombos. They sailed consistently well throughout the 7 races and were never far from the leaders. In closing, as I lookout across this amazing panoramic and very busy City it truly is a great place to sail. However, such is the sucess of our great one design keel boat class, it’s impossible to visit and take part in all the events on the yearly calendar. But Naples is a place well worth a visit with so much activity and such a wonderful climate…. Give it a thought for 2013…
Now all roads lead to Northern Ireland or Boltenhagen…. In Belfast 46 boats (including Lawrie Smith, our current World Champion) are already entered for the Edinburgh Cup, whilst in Germany I am sure in excess of 60 will show up for Uli and Manuela Libors Dragon Grand Prix…. Which one will you be attending……. ?????
Higher, Faster, Longer…….. (sunburnt) Stavros. (NED 410).