The Alberto Rossi’s “Enfant Terrible” TP52 in Class A and Carlo Giuffrè’s “Low Noise” M37 in Class C were World Champions in their respective categories. In Class B wins the Estonian crew of Jaak Jogi’s on “Forte”.
We have just concluded in Kiel, Germany, the 2014 World Championships ORCi and once again excellent performance of the boats equipped by Armare Ropes, who this year won two of the three world titles at stake.
After a week of regattas characterized by light winds and many races postponed, the final day has put a strain on the 150 crews of as many as 19 different countries who had to race with strong gusty winds and waves.
“I have looked to the GPH for the positioning in the fleet to remain in Class C,” said designer Matteo Polli, whose optimization work has helped get the Low Noise team into the winner’s circle. “The M37 has always been performing very well in medium-heavy conditions but the challenge has been to improve in the light conditions. In 2011 I designed the new keel and that has been a huge step in this direction. Then after the big changes in the VPP I decided to go heavier with a little bow down trim. I know it may seem strange but this has helped even more in the light winds.”
This left Class A to provide the real excitement of the day to produce their winners. Claus Landmark’s Landmark 43 Santa from Norway had been leading all week on some impressive scores earned in the first few days of racing with no discards yet applied. But as soon as steadier conditions prevailed and the discards dropped the worst scores, this lead started melting away to be only four points coming into today.
The strong breeze and big waves were just what the lighter boats were waiting for all week, so even with a 100 seconds/mile corrected time margin owed to Santa, Alberto Rossi’s TP 52 Enfant Terrible from Italy defeated not only them but all the others, planing and non-planing alike. With this first place and an additional several points between them and Santa, Enfant Terrible won their third World Championship title in four years.
“I think ORC racing is very good, very close, the system is working well,” said Rossi, who is also active in the Farr 40 Class circuit. “We have many different types of boats here, but when they are sailed well anyone can have the chance to win.”
Rossi’s Gold medal team this week included Lorenzo Bressani as Tactician, Daniele Cassinari, Francesco Mongelli, Gabriele Benussi, Claudio Celon, Nicholas Dal Ferro, Matteo Stroppolo, Massimo Gheraducci, Federico Giovannelli, Samuele Nicolettis, Matteo Mason, Roberto Strappati, Marco Carpinello and Saverio Cigliano.