Marco Nannini - Ocean Racing

Waiting patiently

I spent a very quiet xmas for once, just at home relaxing and thinking about what 2010 will bring... as many times before i have dreams i want to achieve, i prefer to call them projects though... stepping up to a class 40 being the one that occupies my thoughts. In January we should finally have a clearer picture about one in particular that could see me entering the Route du Rhum and the Global Ocean Race the following year... but it could all go tits up, so it's too early to say...

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The search for the Class 40 continues

Getting yourself a Class 40 is more difficult than you'd imagine, a limited budget immediately narrows the search to series boats, the one-off protos are out of boundary... then you have to look at the equipment on board and and what standard the boat has been prepared to... with the ambition of doing the Global Ocean Race in 2011 there is a definite advantage in favouring boats that are already setup for long distance offshore Category Zero (i.e. you can go in the southern ocean).

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Keeping sight of the Global Ocean Race 2011/2012

The search for the Class 40 continues and there are a couple of options on the table. 

 

 2011-2012

The long term ambition remains to take part in the Global Ocean Race, the double-handed Class 40 race around the world. This will require tough training and the backing of a committed sponsor.

Global Ocean Race 2011-2012

30,000 miles around the Globe

The course for The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 takes in some of the roughest waters on the planet. Starting in Europe the race stops in Cape Town, South Africa; Wellington New Zealand; Ilhabela, Brazil and Charleston, USA before finishing back in Europe, a total of approximately 30,000 nautical miles.

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OSTAR 2009 Class winner

On October 31st Vendee Globe hero Steve White presented Marco Nannini with his trophy following the victory of IRC3 Class Jester at the OSTAR 2009 during a croweded prize giving dinner at the Royal Western Yacht Club house. 
Marco took first place both in real and compensated time in his class and third overall in corrected time. 

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Approaching Malta

the race is almost over with under 20 miles to go and good speed on this
last leg from lampedusa to malta... the race was slow, beating on all
legs but the one from malta to sicily and this last one... choppy seas,
strong and variable winds, issues with the water ballast (now resolved)
made for a much slower passage than anticipated. we hear over 20 of the
entrants have retired, which is no surprise as this must have made for a
much tougher race than many mediterranean sailors would normally bargain
for...

Two of five crew suffered from sea sickness, one has been incapacitated

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Stromboli and strombolicchio

Just about an hour ago we passed the black volcanic island where i used
to go on holiday as a kid, i've been to the eolian isands countless
times, but never had to round them as a mark on a course...

Last night was not one of the easiest, as we approached capo passero
under masthead kite we were hit by up to 45kt true which made for some
excitement...

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Approaching Sicily

The start was a bit slow for us as we got glued to the light airs
approaching the second photographers buoy, from then on a fetch under
code 0 then a massive shift and the big kite...

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Rolex Middle Sea Race

After competing in the OSTAR 2009, skippers Luca Zoccoli and Marco Nannini will join forces sailing the October classicRolex Middle Sea Race, racing with Andrea Fornaro (One Sail) and Max Minghini (Nauteck) they wish to close an excitingseason aboard “In Direzione Ostinata E Contraria”, the 35ft Open raced by Zoccoli at the Ostar, now re-optimized by MaxMinghini to be sailed crewed bringing together offshore experience and a fast boat consolidating a path that next season will take them on a Class 40.

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OSTAR ready British Beagle for Sale

British Beagle is up for sale, extremely seaworthy and equipped, prepared to top specs for any offshore challenge, RBI, AZAB or OSTAR 2013. Very competitive in IRC, line honours in Jester class and 4th overall on corrected time in OSTAR 2009 with an elapsed time of 21d 23h 44'. Selling to finance next sailing project.

British Beagle is a modified Sigma 36 with upgrades including:

New Hugh Welbourne design keel, all lead (2006)
New Selden mast, 2 set of spreaders, dyform rigging (2008)
New Hugh Welbourne design rudder, 200mm deeper, excellent grip and balance (2008)

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Finished - Line honours in class 3

I crossed the line this morning at 07:14:30 EDT (11:14:30 UT) completing OSTAR in 21d 23h 44' 30', first boat in Jester class.

Who would have imagined i could be the first boat to finish in my class, or that it would take me under 22 days...

Now it's time to settle in Newport, get used to terra firma and start the long awaited parties!

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