From August 29 to 31, the beach of Senigallia hosted the Italian A-Class Catamaran Championship, attracting around fifty athletes from all over Italy. Three days of racing turned the Adriatic waters off the Marche coast into a spectacular arena, with variable weather conditions that tested the sailors’ technical skills, endurance, and composure.
The racing days
The first day opened with strong winds, allowing two exciting and hard-fought races. At the end of the second race, a violent thunderstorm hit the fleet, forcing everyone into difficult returns to shore and making it clear from the start that this championship would be a true test of resilience.
The second day proved even more challenging. The race committee sent the fleet out on the water, with initially promising conditions. By late morning, however, two intense storm fronts hit the area, bringing gusty winds and heavy rain. Despite waiting and several attempts to set the course, no races could be completed. The day ended without any results, but with plenty of stories of difficult returns and tense moments on the water, all closely monitored by the safety boats.
The third and final day offered lighter and more variable winds, forcing sailors to rely heavily on tactics. Three races were completed, decisive in crowning the new national champions.
Race-by-race results (Top 3)
Final standings
| Foil Division | Race Scores | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Lamberto Cesari | 1, 1, 1, 1, 3 | 7 |
| 🥈 2nd Giuseppe Colombo | 3, 2, 6, 6, 2 | 19 |
| 🥉 3rd Paolo Penco | 4, DNF, 3, 2, 1 | 26 |
| Classic Division | Race Scores | Total Points |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Andrea Ruffini | 1, 4, 1, 1, 2 | 9 |
| 🥈 2nd Marco Radman | 3, 3, 2, 3, 9 | 20 |
| 🥉 3rd Alessandro Rosi | 4, 5, 8, 2, 5 | 24 |
Technical focus: the A-Class catamarans
The A-Class catamaran is one of the most fascinating and high-performance boats in the sailing world. Created in the 1960s as an experimental one-design, it has evolved into a cutting-edge platform for innovation and performance.
- Dimensions: 18 feet (5.49 m long), 2.30 m wide, minimum weight 75 kg.
- Crew: single-handed, with the helmsman handling both steering and sail trim.
- Sail: one mainsail of about 13.9 m², built with advanced composite materials.
- Divisions:
- Classic: uses straight daggerboards, gliding on the water without lifting.
- Foil: equipped with foiling daggerboards and rudders that lift the hull above the water, reducing drag and reaching impressive speeds.
- Speed: can exceed 25 knots in favorable conditions.
- Technique: requires balance, sensitivity, and high physical fitness, as the sailor must handle every aspect of racing solo.
The A-Class is regarded as one of the most technical and innovative sailing classes, even influencing developments in the America’s Cup. It is a boat for true specialists, combining elegance, lightness, and sheer speed.
A showcase for the A-Class and for Senigallia
Beyond the sporting results, the event once again highlighted the timeless appeal of the A-Class catamaran. For Senigallia, it was also an opportunity to reaffirm itself as an ideal venue for major sailing events, thanks to the combination of sea, hospitality, and sporting passion.
Three days of wind, adrenaline, and spectacle crowned the new Italian champions, delivering a top-level event that will remain in the memory of both competitors and spectators alike.
