IMPERIA WINTER REGATTA - THE STORMY EDITION

This had been in any case a successful edition: 250 boats entered IWR, with a 130 competitors in the 420's record-fleet and 12 nations represented with crews came from far away, these details definitively place Imperia Winter Regatta among the most popular winter event in Europe . And the Town of Imperia could represent in those days a capital of sailing. In Imperia there were competitors coming from France , Spain , Switzerland , Austria , Germany , Poland , Hungary , Great Britain , Monaco , Israel , Ireland and Italy !

The event is closed, with a sensation of bitterness due at so small number of races sailed in these three days. The very strong wind from East, also if accompanied by a bright sunshine, never stopped, it blew also over nights, enforced by the very cold temperature on mountains covered by snow, and force the organisation to play a game impossible to win!

Organising Committee would thanks participant at this edition with lots of races and Imperia usual sailing conditions. This had not been possible, so the only thanks organisers could do are with words!

The results of these so hard weather condition are that in only one day wind allow Race Committee to place courses.

The Male 470 fleet with 31 crews, and the 470 Female fleet with 16 crew, sailed two races during Saturday, in hard conditions, with an average of 13 m/s wind and big waves. Supremacy of British crews in male fleet, getting the 1 st (Gimson-Bithell) and 2 nd (McGovern-Mapplebeck); 3 rd place for an Italian crew (Desiderato-Saettone).

The Female 470 fleet show a more various scenery: 1 st ITA (Conti-Micol), 2 nd SUI (Rol-Thilo), 3 rd FRA (D'Ortoli-Le Morvan)

On the leeward course area, Laser Male fleet with 24 entries and Laser Radial Female fleet with 8 crews, sailed two races in similar condition of 470. In final male classment lead the Italian Regolo, 2 nd the French Taile and 3 rd Italian again Ostuni. All Italian the female classment, with Noto at 1 st place, followed by Tartufoli and Magnaghi.

No races sailed on 420's and L'Equipe: Race Committee had been very struggled taking this kind of decision, but wind conditions was very critical for these YOUTH classes, and in a safety-reason outlook, they decided to abandon races of the day.

A list of complete results is available

It had been a successful edition, prepared with care and attention by Porto Maurizio Yacht Club and LNI Imperia , with the strict cooperation of Circolo Velico Imperiese. This new horizon in sailing organisation in Imperia is a base to develop this competition even more. The three clubs will take care of this, hoping to offer to participant of next editions an even more funny event.

Organising Committee want to thanks all competitors who have joined IWR in such large numbers, coming from very far away. Thanks has to be extended also to all people involved in the event organisation, that helped to make this regatta a success: all the volunteer, Races Committees (chaired by Fulvio Parodi and Erasmo Carlini), the International Jury, chaired by Giorgio Fornaciari (ITA) with Wolfgang Stenz (GER) Gerhart Michel (AUT) Founette Pauthier (FRA) and Roberto Armellin (ITA) as members.

The event got the support of the Town of Imperia , the Region of Liguria, the CARIGE Foundation, the Province of Imperia , Imperia Mare , North Sails Italy, Agnesi, Misura and Grandi Navi Veloci.

Next edition is planned for 2006, 7 th to 10 th December