It seems that the Croatian island of Cres has become an important racing base for grand prix sailors. After last years successful IMS European Championship, the sailing club “SCOR” from Rijeka organised two highly profiled regattas this year; IMS Mediterranean Championship in June and IMS 600 World Championship in September.
IMS Mediterranean Championship
The VIP IMS Mediterranean Championship gathered 44 yachts from 5 countries, among them 9 X-Yachts including, 2 IMX 40s, 3 IMX 45s, an X-332 and also the new X-43 “Karuba” of Vlado Golenic from Croatia and X 46 “Il Colore del Vento” of Nadir Spezzapria from Italy. We were of course all looking forward to see how good these cruiser/racers would perform in more or less low wind conditions one expects in Cres.
This year the weatherman was very generous.All the races were sailed according to the original plans apart from the last one, which was interrupted and cancelled due to a large irregular wind shift. Mostly the winds blew between 8 and 12 knots, with clear skies and mostly calm seas.
Constantly in the top
The final overall results proved the new X-43 and X-46 to be very fast, and constantly on the top of the board, however, they finally could not compete in compensated time with the Rodman 42. The most constant excellent results among all the competitors were obtained by X-43 “Karuba” with skipper Darko Hajdinjak and “Sixty Group” with skipper Giorgio Goldoni, finishing second and first respectively. X-46 “Il Colore del Vento” skipperd by Franco Corazza, was due to an early start soon out of the competition for the second place, but still finished with an impressive 3rd overall.
IMS 600 World Championship
In September the VIP IMS 600 World Championship took place. Unfortunately extremely bad weather conditions before the event prevented several of this years top IMS racer from arriving on time. Finally 19 contenders from 4 countries lined up on the starting line.
The first day there was no racing due to shifty and unstable light winds. The following days were blessed with moderate to very strong winds. SE 14-34 knots for the 120 nautical miles long navigation race from Cres to Rovinj, and back and NE 20–35 knots for all the windward/ leeward races held in the aquatorium in the close proximity of Cres Marina.
The fleet was dominated by “MAN”, GS 42R, skippered by Matteo Ivaldi. It is true that the X-43 “Karuba” was mostly rounding the windward mark in first position, however downwind performance of the 3 ton lighter racer MAN was unbeatable.
Looking back at the end of the event it was clear, that the competition for the second place, between the X-43 “Karuba” and “Igienstudio Shaula” GS 40R skippered by Roberto Ferarese, was very close from the first day. Finally Shaula was successful in beating “Karuba” by 1 point.
Miha Spendal
X-Yachts Jadran |  |
X-46
X-46 “Il colore del vento”
The town of Crez, in Croatia, and the sea around it are very famous for scampi. One may eat this marvelous sea food - raw, grilled or ”a la buzera” accompanied with a glass (or two) of malvasia letting you forget all your worries!
Sexy looking yacht
This was the main strategic consideration for me and my crew when we decided to participate in the VIP Mediterranean Championship 2004. My new X-46 ”Il colore del vento ” is a beautiful boat with her deep blue color, the tall carbon mast, the teak deck and all the other amenities, but is not the kind of yacht that you expect to win international events in the crazy IMS world - or is it?
Knife-on-mouth crews
Some fifty aggressive racers with their knife-on-mouth crews entered from five countries and not for the scampi! But, you know, here we are. If we have to race, let’s do it.
3rd Overall
First of five days: “Il colore del vento” scores the first place, but with a very doubtful OCS Second day: first place (and no OCS) The final result: “Il colore del vento” is first of her class and third overall. Not too bad for a sexy looking yacht!
Nadir Spezzapria
Owner of X-46 “Il colore de vento” |
