Sailing in Capri
The Capri Yacht Club was founded in 1999 and is located in the Capri Marina, a true center of excellence on the Isola Azzurra. Since its birth, it has been distinguished by its members’ constant work in the organization and promotion of nautical events at the island, and above all, by the sailing week which brings the best crews on board the best sailboats to race in the island’s splendid waters.
2017 will be no exception, and from May 5 to 13 the Rolex Capri Sailing Week will be a can’t miss for all boating enthusiasts: it will kick off with the 63rd edition of the Regata dei Tre Golfi, then move on to the Tyrrhenian National Championship and FARR40 Class Regtta.
The Rolex Capri Sailing Week starts May 5, 2017 with the departure from the ‘Italian Rowing and Sailing Club’ docks in Naples at the stroke of midnight. The ‘Regata dei Tre Golfi’ unfolds along 150 miles through the three Gulfs of Naples, Gaeta, and Salerno, finishing in Capri where the following two events take place from May 10 to 13.
Given the event’s enormous appeal in the nautical world, we decided to ask a few questions to Marino Lembo, President of the Capri Yacht Club for the last five years following Massimo Massaccesi (current Honorary President). He tells us about the dynamic world of sailing and about the Yacht Club on the Mediterranean’s most prestigious island.
GSM:What is the crown jewel of the Capri Yacht Club?
ML: Obviously the Rolex Capri Sailing Week, which will be in its tenth edition this year. These are large and beautiful sailing boats that compete for an entire week in the regatta which has awarded the coveted trophy for ten years now. The Rolex Capri Sailing Week, organized in partner with I.M.A., International Maxi Associated, is at the forefront of one of the most important regattas in the Mediterranean, that has seen champions compete at the helms of their boats, such as Paul Cayard, Vincenzo Onorato with Mascalzone Latino, Paolo Cian, and Tommaso Chieffi. Even royals such as Prince Frederick of Denmark , or the king of Made in Italy Leonardo Ferragamo, and Pigi Loro Piana have never missed the Capri regatta.
GSM: What sailing events will there be in 2017?
ML: A week of great sailing, with ‘Regata dei Tre Golfi’, the ‘Tyrrhenian National Championship’, the ‘Farr 40 Class Regatta’ and the ‘Mylius Cup’,, organized by four of the most important Italian clubs: this is the Rolex Capri Sailing Week. Shipyards, classes, and shipowners can compete in highly technical regattas, taking part in an event destined to become a catalyst, attracting great sailing stars from all over the world to this charming corner of Italy.
The Italian Yacht Club, Italian Rowing and Sailing Club, Aniene Rowing Club, and the Capri Yacht Club, in partnership with Rolex, are directing this important event that takes place every year in May, in one of the most beautiful places in the world, on a regatta course internationally renowned for its difficulty. The Rolex Capri Sailing Week kicks off May 5, 2017 with the 63rd edition of the Regata dei Tre Golfi, that starts at midnight from the docks of the Italian Rowing and Sailing Club in Naples. The regatta winds along an itinerary of about 150 miles, crossing the Gulfs of Naples, Gaeta, and Salerno, and going around Ponza and Li Galli islands. At the arrival at Capri island, the competitors are taken in, awaiting the start of the three other scheduled events which take place in the waters of the Isola Azzurra from May 10 to 13: the Farr 40 Class Regatta, the Tyrrhenian National Championship, and the Milyus Cup.
GSM: What is the flagship for the Yacht Club that you preside over?
ML: Our flagship is the sailing school. A reality which we were able to create several years ago, and finally gets the young islanders to learn and appreciate this discipline, something that was unprecedented on Capri.
GSM: Are all the young sailors under 15?
ML: No. We also have a section geared towards adults, and a new addition that we are very proud of. In the small fleet of ‘Optimist’ that is used for schools, there are also three boats that are dedicated to and equipped for the handicapped. The names Marina Grande, Marina Piccola, and Grotta Azzurra refer to the symbols of Capri. These boats are three dream two-seaters that allow handicap children and youth, and people with disabilities, to go out to sea and learn the basics of sailing. All that remains is to wait until May and enjoy the start of the next Capri Sailing Week, which we’re sure will be full of new and exciting surprises, just like the previous editions.
Author: Demetrio Baffa Trasci Amalfitani di Crucoli
