Alberto Bona and Alberto Riva ready for the Normandy Channel Race

“It’s time to take to the sea and sail again after the last two transoceanic races”. 

Alberto Bona is ready for the CIC Normandy Channel Race, the last regatta of the season for the Class40 IBSA, which thus returns to sailing in the English Channel and in seas as well-known as they are challenging.

“After coming back from the ocean”, explained the skipper, “we took the Class40 IBSA to the shipyard for a series of works and a careful check, to verify that everything was in order for this new adventure. Training resumed at the beginning of September, and now we are ready to face the Normandy”.

In recent days, Bona welcomed on board Alberto Riva, the Italian skipper who will participate in the regatta with him. Together they made the transfer from Trinité-sur-Mer to Caen, from where the Normandy will start, on September 15. A “joint” transfer which saw numerous Class40s converging at the same time towards the same destination, almost a group training session in view of the resumption of the regattas.

“It’s the first time ever that Alberto Riva and I have sailed together; it’s never happened, not even on other boats. I am very happy – and curious at the same time. For this race we have an ambitious sporting objective”.

Meanwhile, a first look at the weather: “September is a great month to sail in this area”,commentedBona. “However, instability is now a constant in European weather conditions, so we must always be very careful. As for the rest, we know the route – this is my second edition, after all – however tides, currents and the Celtic Sea are always a great and fascinating challenge”.