For the Class40 IBSA the CIC Normandy Channel Race ends with a well-deserved and strongly desired third place. Alberto Bona and Alberto Riva crossed the finish line at 12:01 pm on Friday, September 20, after 4 days, 22 hours, 51 minutes and 5 seconds of navigation.
The fifteenth edition of the CIC Normandy Channel Race, won by Fabien Delahaye and Benjamin Schwartz aboard Legallais, proved to be challenging right from the start.
From the beginning to the end of the regatta, the two Italian skippers – racing together for the first time, but immediately appearing well-matched – had to fight to stay among the group leaders and in the second part of the race – after rounding the Fastnet lighthouse and starting the return towards the English Channel – they managed to find a good rhythm and excellent sprints. The third place was obtained by visually controlling their direct opponents, and in particular Sogestran Seafrigo of Guillaume Pirouelle and Cédric Chateau, who crossed the finish line in fourth position, just five minutes and a few tenths of a mile behind IBSA.
“Congratulations to Alberto Bona and Alberto Riva for obtaining third place in this regatta”,stated Giorgio Pisani, Vice President IBSA Group and Leader of the project Sailing into the Future. Together. “Closing the season on the podium is a well-deserved achievement, which rewards the commitment and growth of Alberto Bona, as well as the progress of Sailing into the Future. Together as a sports project. Kudos to Alberto Riva, who added content, strength and a pinch of irony to this regatta, making it even more special”.
This ends the Class40 IBSA’sthird season of regattas: during the three years of the project, the boat raced for over 23,000 miles, competing in ten regattas in total, four of which were transoceanic.