The Italian Offshore Sailing Championship, currently underway in Brindisi until Saturday, features an impressive lineup of 10 Italia Yachts (IY) among the 46 participants, all vying for the coveted national title. "The level of the teams is truly very high," notes Daniele De Tullio right after the first race. "This is evident from the maneuvering skills when both groups are racing together: there are no issues." After an opening day complicated by constant and sudden wind shifts, where the Race Committee showed remarkable composure by waiting for sufficiently stable winds before starting the race, and quickly adjusting the racecourse when necessary, the Italia Yachts sisterships dominated both leaderboards. In Group 1 (Classes A and B, Racing and Cruising divisions), leading after two races is the Estonian-flagged Sugar 3, Italia Yachts 11.98 owned by Ott Kikkas with Italian tactician Sandro Montefusco on board (scoring 1-1 for the day). In third place is Guardamago III, helmed by Massimo Romeo Piparo (4-3), another Italia Yachts 11.98 tied on points with second-placed Sideracordis. In Group 2 (Class C, Racing and Cruising divisions), Sarchiapone Fuoriserie, Italia Yachts 9.98 owned by Gianluigi Dubbini from Liguria (placing 3-1 in the opening races), leads the standings with Lorenzo Bodini and Roberto Dubbini on board. They hold a two-point lead over second-placed Take Five Jr, another Italia Yachts 9.98 owned by Roberto Distefano (scoring 1-5). On the second day, with stronger winds and slightly choppy seas, two more thrilling races began to create gaps in the fleet after four races. In Group 1 (Classes A and B, Racing and Cruising divisions), the Estonians of Sugar 3 remain in the lead (2-1), while in Group 2 (Class C, Racing and Cruising divisions), three IY 9.98s claimed the podium spots for the day: Sarchiapone (1-2), followed by Take Five Jr (2-8), another Italia Yachts 9.98 owned by Roberto Distefano from Yacht Club Porto San Rocco, and Unpopergioco, also an Italia Yachts 9.98, owned and helmed by Niki Vescia from LNI Trani (4-1), racing almost in home waters.**
