With the publication of the notice of race, registrations are open for the Grand Prix d’Italie, scheduled from 15 to 20 April 2022.
500 miles in a pair starting and finishing in Genoa, for what is considered one of the most important regattas for the Mini 6.50 class in the Mediterranean. The 2022 edition sees the entry of B&G as the main partner of this great regatta organized by the Italian Yacht Club.
The Regatta
The GPI Mini 6.50 – Alberti Cup is one of the most important regattas in the Mediterranean for the Mini Class, small and fast ocean-going boats born in France to tackle long journeys alone or in pairs.
The goal of all the minists is then to face the Mini Transat, the most important regatta of the class which, every two years, sees an incredible fleet of mini crossings across the Atlantic from France to the Caribbean.
In Italy the class is becoming more and more known and participated also thanks to the extraordinary performance of the navigator Ambrogio Beccaria who, the first Italian in history, won the 2019 edition of the Mini Transat.
The GPI is an excellent training ground for the athletes of this Class and the beauty of the course is confirmed by the participation of hulls, which has constantly grown over the years and which can count on the presence of at least 25 boats in the Series and Prototype categories.
B&G and the Grand Prix d’Italie
Always close to the world of sport sailing, within an increasingly structured collaboration path with the YCI, B&G has decided to support this regatta as well because of the high technological content of these small boats.
The B&G brand will be the exclusive partner of the regatta and, in addition to sponsoring the polo shirts that the participants will wear, will enrich the podium with two prize instruments, respectively for the winners of the Prototype and Series classes, while a special prize will be offered in memory of Alessio Roccatagliata, the young promise of Ligurian sailing who on 21 July lost his life in a serious motorcycle accident.
The routes
Participants will be engaged on 2 alternative routes that will be decided close to the start also in consideration of the weather conditions.
Route 1: Genoa – Capraia – Giannutri – La Caletta – Genoa for Mn. About 530.
Route 2: Genoa – Strait of Bonifacio – Giannutri – Genoa for Mn. About 488.
The Mini 650 Class
This is made up of prototypes and series boats. The two classes have in common the dimensions: 6.5 meters of maximum length, 3 meters of width, 7 sails in total and safety equipment; in addition to a minimum freeboard of 0.75 meters, an internal height of 1.40 meters and volumes to ensure unsinkability.
According to many, prototypes represent the most Open class existing. A class in which, as they say, “everything that is not expressly forbidden is authorized“.
It is precisely for this reason that the Minis have always represented a laboratory for testing innovations and design solutions. To be homologated as standard, ten identical boats must be built. After that they are not monotypes in the strict sense, considering that variations and modifications to the boat are possible, obviously within the limits of the regulation.
As usual, it will be possible to follow the fleet in real time thanks to the online tracking system. For information and registration, directly on the dedicated page of the YCI.
