In Alassio between 14th and 16th March there has been the grand opening of the ORC Italian sailing season. 26 boats in Group "A" up to 610 sec/mi GPH and 27 in group "B". Two races were held on Friday, and one on Saturday. Unfortunately on Sunday all races were cancelled because of light, unstable and shifty wind.

It has been a lively opening, and in the first race, the most windy one there were many collisions, protests and disqualifications which could not be compensated by the discard, available only after 4 races.

All races finished had a good stable breeze, and the Race Committee worked at their best to have the best course for the many crews present in Alassio. Many the "big names" in the race, among whom Tiziano Nava, Oscar Tonoli, Beppe Zaoli, Matteo Ivaldi, Flavio Favini, Andrea Caracci.

In the big boats group Urbinati's Seawonder easily won with 2 firsts and a 3rd, second was the Grand Soleil 42 Y2K and third the Rodman 42 "QQ7", on a tie. Good results were achieved, with a second place each, by the X-40 "Extra" and the FY 49 "Neera". The Comet 41 "BCube" had a brilliant victory in the second race, but had to account for a DNF in the first race, which dropped them in 14th place. 

Ravaioni with his X-41 "Lady X" had a very strong crew, but got only a 10th place having missed the right corners in the second race, and the final race cancelled when they were leading the fleet.

In the small boats group the favourite boat, Italian Champion "Ottavo Peccato" suffered a DSQ in the first race, so could not go beyond the 13th place. The winner has been the Grand Soleil 37 "Enigma" on a tie with the Holland designed laminated wood "Midva" from the late 70s, helmed by Davide Besana with Andrea Caracci calling tactics. Lima Golf, after winning the first race seemed to suffer the light conditions of the second and third races.

The Italian ORC calendar will continue in a month with the "Trofeo Accademia" in Livorno, and the "Trodeo Pirelli" in Santa Margherita.