Italia I – I-9: the refit

Italia I is one of the Italian boats to have participated in the 1987 America’s Cup as a representative of the Italian Yacht Club. The historic boat has undergone a complete refit with Armare Ropes products by rigger Daniele Augusti / Wave.

  Italia I – History We are in October 1986 and for the first time in history the America’s Cup is held in Australia, in Fremantle on the Indian Ocean. The regattas are broadcast live on television and this factor draws the attention of sponsors who are looking for a global media showcase. Six different nations participate in the “Louis Vuitton Cup” represented by thirteen consortia, presented by as many Yacht Clubs. There are also two Italian consortia, the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club with “Azzurra 3” and the Yacht Club Italiano with “Italia I”.  

The 1987 America’s Cup The competitor selection regattas begin in October 1986, with 3 Round Robins and then the finals, ending in January 1987. The performances of the two Italian consortia are not good and both are eliminated at the end of the Rounds Robin: Italia I (helm Tommaso Chieffi) finishes seventh, while Azzurra III (helm Mauro Pelaschier) finishes third from last. The final is New Zealand versus the American Stars & Stripes led by the legendary Dennis Conner. Stars & Stripes triumphs 4-1, winning the “Louis Vuitton Cup” and runs to challenge the Australian defender of Kookaburra III, eventually winning the Cup by 0-4. The Italia consortium went in Australia representing the Italian Yacht Club under the patronage of the Gucci family. The project was entrusted to Studio Giorgetti and Magrini, who had two hulls built in the Baglietto Shipyard in La Spezia. Skipper of the Consortium was Aldo Migliaccio, Tommaso Chieffi was at the helm, and other famous sailors, such as Flavio Scala, Enrico Chieffi and Albino Fravezzi, were on board.

Italia I (I-7) is the hull tnhat went into the water during the “Louis Vuitton Cup” regattas. From the beginning the boat showed good speed but serious endurance limits, so much so that it ended up dismasted.

Thus began the story of Italia II (I-9) launched with many difficulties with the hope to solve the limits of the first hull. While the development work continues, the boat is damaged by a crane arm causing further delays. Tests continue in Australia, but Italia I, which has in the meantime been improved thanks to an expensive and tiring development process, is still preferred to the second hull. Italia II will therefore never be used in an official regatta during the Cup.

Italia II (I-9) at Marina Hannibal – 2020 Refitting 2020Refitting is divided into different steps aimed at trying on board the best solutions for some technical details, such as the Check Stays, currently in Single Braid Dyneema® SK78 + PU pending the definitive ones in PBO-Zylon®.

A braid in Dyneema® SK78 HPS + PU with protective cover in Dyneema® and Kevlar® was chosen for the backstay control line. This combination combines the characteristics of durability. toughness and smoothness of the Dyneema® fiber with the excellent grip and heat resistance of the Kevlar® fiber. While covers in Black Technora® Dyneema® and Polyester® were chosen for the mainsail and genoa sheets, customizing the colors (anthracite and silver gray) according with the aesthetics of the boat. Finally, the main lines were completed by covered textile shackles for the halyards and a loop with T-bone for the genoa tack, as well as tiller ropes, stays and various lashings.

The halyards of the spinnaker have a core in Dyneema® SK78 HPS + PU and a cover in Cordura® and Polyester. To respect the traditional colors, red mélange and green mélange colors have been used. Armare Ropes thanks Daniele Augusti / Wave, who cured the intervention, for the exceptional work done.

All the photos of Italia II are by Daniele Augusti. Information on the history of the America’s Cup is from Wikipedia and from the pages edited by Egidio Nocera.