Cool Runnings Holds The Lead On First Day Of Rolex X-35 Worlds

Weather conditions were perfect for the first day’s racing at the X-35 World Championship, organized by Yacht Club Italiano together with Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell’Argentario and partnered by Rolex.

At the end of a packed briefing session this morning the 54 boats competing made their way out to sea at 11:00. At 13:00, after the cancellation of a race when a sudden stiff breeze sprang up, a steady northwesterly of between 10 and 12 knots set in and at about 14:00 it was possible to start the first race of the day.

Italian boats came home the winners in positions one, two and three. The first to cross the finishing line was Alberto SIGNORINI’s L’Irascibile with its tactician, Tommaso CHIEFFI, followed by Carlo BRENCO’s Tixelio with Francesco BRUNI calling tactics, and Alessandro SOLERIO’s Lelagain in that order. Fourth was the Brtiish crew in Cool Runnings (owner Mark RICHMOND), the X-35 World Championship runners up.

The fine weather conditions and steady wind allowed the Race Committee to give the go-ahead to the second event of the day, won by the Dutch Quantum Racing Holland owned by Nicholas BOL, with Carlo BRENCO’s Tixelio and Christian SOYHA’s Immac X (Germany) in the next two positions.

The third and last race of the day began after 16:30 and ended with Nicholas BOL’s Quantum Racing Holland, Pietro NICOLINI’s Ave Maria, and Mark RICHMOND’s Cool Runnings placed first, second, and third.

The current rankings after the first three races on Wedneday are, provisionally: first, Cool Runnings (RICHMOND); second, Quantum Racing Holland (BOL); third, L’Irascibile (SIGNORINI).

On returning to dock, the crews took wine as guests of honour aboard Nave Italia, the largest sailing brig in the world (61 metres from bow to stern). It is used by Yacht Club Italiano and by the Italian Navy for the rehabilitation of the physically and/or mentally disabled.

Racing resumes on Thursday and will continue on Friday and Saturday. A minimum of two upwind-downwind courses is to be held daily for a total of ten races, at the outcome of which the crew qualifying as world champions will be declared.

Rolex X-35 World Championship – click here