Ocean sailors face to face: the incredible wave of the Italian Class40s

On Monday, September 25, on the occasion of the Genoa International Boat Show, Alberto Bona was a guest of the panel Velisti oceanici a confronto (“Ocean Sailors face to face”): an “informal chat between oceanic people” – as it was defined by the moderator, journalist Fabio Pozzo – to talk about the golden moment that ocean sailing is experiencing in Italy, with Ambrogio Beccaria, Edoardo Bianchi and Pietro Luciani physically attending and Alberto Bona, Alberto Riva and Andrea Fornaro on a live connection.

At the Route du Rhum 2022, three Italians were on the starting line aboard a Class40 (with a fourth in the Imoca Class). A year later, however, in November 2023, the Italian sailors competing in the Transat Jacques Vabre on latest-generation Class40s will be five, a sign of how Italian ocean sailing and the Class40 are experiencing an unprecedented moment, of which Italians are the protagonists.

Indeed, at the top of the ranking of the Class40 championship – in first and second position, respectively – are Alberto Bona and Ambrogio Beccaria, whose exploits are thrilling sailing lovers and inspiring many navigators who are approaching this “class of champions”.

The reasons for the renewed interest in the Class40 are many. First of all, as Bona himself pointed out, “the Class40 is the natural prosecution of many years of Mini 6.50s. In Italy, there is not yet an actual professional career for ocean sailors; in France, however, those who wish to make this sport their profession start from the Mini Class (where they sail boats 6.50 m long), and after about five years they move on to the Class40; or, like me, they start from the Figaro class – which is considered the elite of ocean sailing – and then they move on to the Class40”.

Other reasons for the interest in the Class40s are also mentioned by sailors, such as the pleasure and adrenaline of sailing on very complex and technologically advanced boats; the perfect combination between a relatively low budget – due to the strict rules imposed by the class – and the fact that Class40s take part in some of the major sailing events (like their bigger sisters Imocas and Multi50s).

And Bona continued: “This sport is growing; it’s there for everyone to see, and everyone is realising the enormous potential of sailing. It sends out very powerful messages, it’s a strong symbol of sustainability, and evokes positive images. Pay attention: it’s a real rarity. With a partner like IBSA – which keeps up with the advances in sailing, embraces shared values ​​and accepts wide-ranging challenges – we can build intense stories and narratives that, more than in other sports, are representative of profound values. We will certainly continue to act as spokespersons; my journey with IBSA at my side goes precisely in this direction”.

Another goal that emerged from the meeting and was shared by all participants – including Pietro Luciani, vice president of the Class40 – is to bring major events and regattas to the Mediterranean too, so that professionals and the large pool of stakeholders can be increasingly attracted and facilitated in becoming passionate about the world of sailing.

Pending therefore a calendar of events in the Mediterranean, Alberto Bona and his oceanic mates are preparing to face the ocean once again with the Transat Jacques Vabre, which will start on October 29 from Le Havre (France). After the Genoa Show, the time has come for everyone to resume training, but – before dealing with the last crossing of the year – on October 8 Bona will make a stop in Trieste (Italy) for the 55^th edition of the Barcolana, where he will watch the traditional regatta.