Thursday, March 31, 2016

Team VELEROSA Triumph in 1st Women’s Sailing Cup

J/80s sailing Women's Italia Cup in Chiavari, Italy (Chiavari, Italy)- The first edition of the Women's Sailing Cup Italy 2016 with a triumphant “Goodbye until 2017” from the cheering crowd of women. The event was organized by the Blue Project in collaboration with the City of Chiavari and Marina di Chiavari.

The regatta was created and organized by two women, Anne-Soizic Bertin and Ivana Quattrini of Blue Project, for women to promote women's sailing, raise funds for the Italian Association for Cancer Research and spread scientific information and awareness for female cancers.

Women J/80 sailors- sailing Women's Italia CupIt was a wonderful weekend in Chiavari, marked by a number of celebrations, including the inauguration of the new and elegant promenade of the Port in the presence of the highest authorities.  Adding to those festivities was the great enthusiasm expressed by the thirteen teams participating in the Women’s Sailing Cup.  The event was punctuated by the beautiful garden and decorations around the club, designed by the locally famous Umberto Giorgi Garden; it included a beauty and Zen area and a place for massages before and after sailing!  Then, the women enjoyed a brass band and gala dinner party that supported the AIRC Conference on women’s breast cancer, with a presentation given by the famous oncologist- Dr. Lucia del Mastro.

J/80 VelaRosa sailing team- winners of Women's Italia CupSeventy sailors from all over Italy, a team from Great Britain and one from Lithuania, battled at sea aboard the J/80s of Blue Project.  At the end of a weekend of light wind and lively competitive spirit, climbing onto the top step of the podium and winning the Challenge Cup Trophy was the VELEROSA team comprised of Silvia Gatti, Licia Bologna, Elisa Dompe, Alessandra Gagnatelli and Serena Sicher.  They were well coached by the champion Duccio Colombi of Phi!Number.

Besides the Challenge Cup given by Marina di Chiavari and the Silver Cup given by J/Boat Italia, VELEROSA received the No1 bags by Laboratorio 38, made by the Italian designer Alessandra Lo Monaco, and made especially for them with used sails.  The VELEROSA team also was awarded silver bracelets handmade in the tradition of ancient navigators by Giro di Vento of the Catania creative group- Valentina Zarbo.

Taking second place was the VELADOC team and in the third place was the Lithuanian team- FAIR WIND LADIES. Both teams received a silver cup by J/Boat Italia and the revolutionary watches by W Doubleyouwatch.

Many other prizes were awarded to other teams, including a weekend for two at the Hotel Monte Rosa Chiavari with massages at Eden Beauty & Spa, scarves by W Doubleyouwatch, accessories by North Sails and many other prizes.  In addition, Navionics gave its “iOS/Android” app for free to all participants.

J/80 women's sailing team- ItalyEvelina Christillin, Vice President of the Torino Organising Committee (TOROC) for the 2006 20th Winter Olympic Games in Turin, spurred all the participants during the gala dinner to continue to believe in the project of women sailing and solidarity. The applause to her words left no doubt- when women network together they are unbeatable and this made the new social media hashtag #WSC16 fly around the Internet.

The unforgettable days and the unique atmosphere of the Women's Sailing Cup, the faces of the sailors and of all those who contributed to the realization of the event, can be relived in the videos produced by Saily.it, the principal media partner of the event.  Here is one of those videos.

Women J/80 sailors at Blue Project in ItalyBesides institutional partners, many companies have supported the project of #WSC16: Chanteclair, Kappa, Concept Events, Laboratorio38, the Wind Tour, Navigando Trade, North Sails, Sail Art, Navionics, Nautica Wellness, Wine La Scolca, Hotel Monte Rosa, Acqua Minerale Calizzano, Pastamatta Creative Food, Ormeggi on Line, Umberto Giorgi Garden, Jammin' Technical Solutions for Events, Helan Laboratori Cosmetici, W Doubleyouwatch, Eden Beauty & Spa, Web Stefana, Noberasco, Hotel Stella del Mare, Tossini and J/Boats Italia.

We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to the LNI Sec. Chiavari and Lavagna, the LNI of Sestri Levante, the LNI of Santa Margherita, to all the staff who have done an exemplary job at sea, the skippers of the spectator boats and Blue Project to collect funds for cancer research.  Without them, this event would not be possible.

In a magnificent location with breathtaking sunsets, favored by a near-perfect weather, the real beauty was the all the women of the Women 's Sailing Cup Italy 2016 that as a spring wind, with their genuine passion, intelligence, joy, humor, sensitivity and sympathy, thrilled the entire city of Chiavari.

In 2017, we will be in Chiavari with the Women's Sailing Cup Italy again- will you please join us?  Contact Ivana Quattrini at Blue Project- Ph# +39 335 8093904/ ufficiostampa@blueprojectsailing.com/ www.blueprojectsailing.com   Sailing photo credits- Saily.it