The ranking will show a ninth place, due to the early start penalty, but the finish line says fifth position, 42nd boat arrived. Thus ends the “difficult and wonderful” Fastnet of Alberto Bona and the Class40 IBSA, endured together with Francesca Clapcich, Andrea Caracci and Luca Bertacchi. The arrival on the night of July 26, after 3 days and ten hours of navigation, 891 miles actually travelled, the first 50 through a storm that Francesca defined as “like in the ocean”, the others spent managing calms and running downwind.
Unforgettable, for the crew, the 12 hours upwind with 47 knots of wind, recorded in the Solent, the short wave that makes the boat bump: “We knew the boat was perfect for these conditions”, said Alberto, “but it had to be steered well to avoid damage”.
Chronicle of the fiftieth edition of the legendary regatta, which recorded 430 registered boats, 142 withdrawals, one sinking: “It was a very tough challenge in the first 12 hours”, confirmed Bona, “but we knew that the Class40 IBSA could handle it. The early start was the result of a mistake that we paid dearly in the ranking; it wasn’t easy, because there was a strong current pushing us, and sometimes you make mistakes anyway. The storm in the Solent, then the first calm, then the second front, which made us start again; after rounding the Fastnet, we regrouped and went on well; we made good decisions. Not an easy regatta, but it’s the Fastnet, and you have to deserve it”.
Francesca Clapcich smiles: “It wasn’t so different from the round-the-world; in the Solent we found one of the worst weather conditions I’ve had in recent months. This regatta is always true to itself; the Class40 is an incredible boat, very seaworthy, and then it runs really well… it’s like a small Imoca without foil that managed to race on equal terms with some Imocas along the course”.
“When you sail with professionals like Alberto, Francesca and Andrea”, commented team leader Luca Bertacchi, “you have the opportunity to experience unique moments, in which you see talent and professionalism at work. It was tough, it was absolutely the most demanding weather conditions I’ve ever seen at sea, but I was with an exceptional team, and even while managing the first 12 challenging hours I had the privilege of sailing in the myth”.
“To those who love competition, who like difficult things: come to the Fastnet”, remarked Andrea Caracci. “The regatta has been very nice, competitive, a wonderful experience. We had all possible weather conditions, from calm to storm, currents for and against. This boat is a true all-rounder: Sam Manuard did a great job; it’s been a pleasure to sail with this team, Alberto will obtain great results”.
Once the Fastnet has been filed away, we go back to the Class40 championship – where at present the Class40 IBSA is first – and to the preparation for the decisive regatta, the Transat Jacques Vabre, at the end of October.
