BLU MOON WINS SNIM 2005

From Christel Durand of the French Class - Two final races were run on the last day of the almost perfect SNIM 2005 in a Westerly wind of 20-25 knots. A total of 12 races were sailed with 10 to count overall. Racing on the final day was won by Banca BSI (Massimo Bernasconi). Overall the regatta went to the Swiss/Italian Team of Blu Moon, owned by Franco Rossini with helm Flavio Favini with Banca BSI just 3 points behind them. In third overall was Ale Ali (Ezio Amadori), Nautica (Ricardo Simoneschi) and Joe Fly (Giovanni Maspero). In short a crushing supremacy of the Italians at this beautiful 40th edition of the SNIM!

Although slow to arrive the westerly wind eventually arrived at a good 20 knots rising to 25 during the second race of the day. A strong swell complicated the task of the helmsmen and trimmers, but provided a visual feast for the spectators.

The first race of the day was won by Banca BSI (Massimo Bernasconi) in front of Devotissimo (Free Rao) and Daucy (Bruno Jourdren).

In the second race Blu Moon (Franco Rossini) was just in front of Nautica (Ricardo Simoneschi) and Joe Fly (Giovanni Maspero).

There was disappointment for Italy's Alina (Maurizio Abba) whose overnight lead disappeared with a 25th and 10th place. On the other hand Blu Moon, with helmsman Flavio Favini and tactician Tiziano Nava whose combined talents won the 2001 Melges 24 World title as well as many other major championships, confirmed their consistency of podium appearances with a beautiful wind in the final race of the regatta.

Massimo Bernasconi's second place Banca BSI team was helmed by Gabriele Benussi with tactician Andrea Felci and a crew that included Camilla Bert who was part of the winning 2003 Melges 24 European Championship crew. This team only came to the Melges 24 class last year and already have a fifth place in Monaco and a third place at the Volvo Cup d'Alassio. With their second place at SNIM they've demonstrated they have great appetite and promise us some beautiful battles at the Europeans in Torquay and the Worlds in Key Largo. Third on the podium were fellow Italians Ale Ali, followed by Nautic and Joe Fly.

The Italians have totally dominated SNIM 2005 taking the first 9 places. It is interesting to note how a crew such as Banca BSI can be financed compltely - with an ambitious programme - by sponsorship. There is no doubting that the impressive dynamic of the Italian Class will soon be propogated across all the European Classes.