About the skipper
ITA
Nationality
18/11/23
Start date
Boat: Vento di Sardegna (2000 Open 50)
Lives: Cagliari, Italy
Born in: 1964
Miles sailed: 200,000+
Status: Full Entry
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
From the “Golfo degli Angeli” in Cagliari, an extraordinary place to sail all year round.
What are the lessons you learnt from sailing?
Sailing is the training ground for life.
What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
After 55 years of sailing around the cans in three Olympic campaigns, in one-design and offshore races on maxis, supermaxis, and the America’s Cup on “Moro di Venezia” as a trimmer for Paul Cayard, I decided to venture into solo offshore sailing where I could put to fruition all the experience gained in a lifetime dedicated to both competitive and cruising sailing.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
In 2008, I purchased my Open 50 (formerly IMOCA 50), launched in 2000, as a stepping stone to moving to the IMOCA 60 class with a view to participate in the Vendée Globe. Participating in the Global Solo Challenge today is a unique and unrepeatable opportunity for to compete in a solo non-stop round-the-world race on my 23 years old boat.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
As with all oceanic races, 80% of the success of the campaign is achieved ashore through meticulous preparation of the boat and the skipper. Therefore, I am investing all the available time getting ready.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge?
Having the boat ready, not forgetting anything, and knowing how to manage all the onboard resources to go as fast as possible safely to achieve a result, i.e first of all completing the race.
Do you intend to link this personal challenge with a social message?
I have always helped people with disabilities by taking them aboard my Open 50 Vento di Sardegna for therapeutic outings.
Sailing experience
- Eight years in the Italian National Sailing Federation team from 1980 to 1988
- Two European titles in the 420 Class in 1981 and 1982
- One Junior World title in the 470 Class in 1984
- Eleven Italian titles in various classes, both Olympic and Offshore Sailing
- Two Olympic campaigns in the 470 Class and one in the Tornado Class
- One America’s Cup campaign as trimmer for “Il Moro Di Venezia” from 1989 to 1992
- Two World titles (America’s Cup and 50-foot class “Abracadabra”)
- 1st place at the Louis Vuitton Cup – 1992
- 1st place Roma x 2 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010
- 1st place Corsica x 2 2006
- 1st place Middle Sea Race in doppio 2009
- 1st place Route du Rhum 2010
- 1st place Twostar 2012
- 1st place Québec 2012
- 1st place OSTAR 2013, 2017
- 3rd place Transat Jacques Vabre – 2013
- 2nd place Route du Rhum 2014
- 1st place Roma x 1 2016, 2022
About The Boat
Sail Number: ITA 159
Boat design: Open 50 (Felci)
Year built: 2000
LOA: 50ft
Upwind sail area: 150 sqm
Downwind sail area: 325 sqm
Displacement: 6300kgs
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