The Cape 31 European Champs held in Sanremo, Italy were a resounding success. Plenty of breeze ensured a high quality, high adrenaline event. With 21 boats on the start line, this was the biggest turnout yet for the growing Cape 31 European fleet.
C31 fleet sees huge growth in Europe
Teams from 12 countries including Switzerland, Holland, Turkey, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and the U.K. joined the strong French, German, and Italian teams.
The Cape 31’s designer, world-renowned Mark Mills, watched the spectacular racing from the water with Davey James, of Cape Performance Sailing – builders of this speedy, little sports-boat.
Over the first couple of days Alessandro Rombelli’s Stig Sailing—a brand new boat delivered just a few weeks ago—showed great pace to vie with Christian Schwoerer’s La Pericolosa. On the third day in more moderate conditions Adrien Follin’s Give Me Five demonstrated speed with two race wins and a second. La Pericolosa took the other two bullets for the day, firming up their title challenge.
On Sunday the final race was won by Give Me Five to secure the Corinthian/1 pro prize, but La Pericolosa’s 3rd place wrapped up the European title for them.
Sanremo was a fabulous venue for the regatta, hosted and run by the Yacht Club Sanremo.
The fleet now splits to either enjoy winter racing in Monaco or Palma, or they head south to compete in the Summer in the South Series in Cape Town, South Africa.
The podium saw La Pericolosa, Christian Schwoerer (GER) in first, Stig, Alessandro Rombelli (ITA) in second and Shotgunn, Michael Wilson (IOM) in third.
The prize for the first women went to Gabby Pohlmann and Camilla Michelini – MeerBlick, and the youngest sailor prize was awarded to Elise Fitzgerald – Katabatic.
Photos: @Cape31Class – ZGN – Zerogradinord
