With Andy Bianchedi’s KZ-5 having already mathematically secured the world title with two races to spare, the final day of the 12 Metre Grand Prix World Championship in Imperia was left to decide the remaining two places on the podium. They went to Patrizio Bertelli’s Kookaburra II, which finished second after winning both of today’s races, and KZ-7 Kiwi Magic in third. Maurizio Vecchiola’s Kookaburra III, still in contention for a podium place going into the final day, finished fourth.
The day began with an easterly breeze of around 12 knots, gradually dropping to 10 knots and shifting through a series of oscillations that demanded close attention both in reading the racecourse and managing the opposition. Kookaburra II was finally able to show her potential without the mistakes that had affected parts of her championship. In the opening race she had to fight her way back against Kookaburra III, which was particularly fast upwind and rounded the second windward mark in the lead, around 30 seconds ahead. On the final run, however, Vecchiola’s yacht was unable to defend her advantage: Kookaburra II caught and rolled her to claim the first win of the day, while KZ-7 also passed Kookaburra III to finish second.
The second race was sailed in an even lighter breeze of around eight knots. Kookaburra II kept a close watch on KZ-7, her direct rival in the battle for second overall, and completed the double that secured the runner-up position in the World Championship. Kookaburra III was unable to start the final race due to a vang failure that made it unsafe to continue.
“We won both races and today we sailed two good races without making any major mistakes,” explained Kookaburra II team manager Giulio Giovanella. “In the second race we stayed close to KZ-7 to protect second place and sailed cleanly around the marks. Second place is certainly nothing to be disappointed about, but in sport you have to give credit to the winners: KZ-5 was consistent from the very first day and fully deserved the title.
“We are going home having learnt a lesson. There is still some disappointment at not having managed to defend the world title. We are aware of the mistakes we made, but we are nevertheless pleased to have held on to second place and finished the championship with honour. A special thank you from all of us goes to Patrizio Bertelli, who made it possible for us to race here in Imperia, where both the Vele d’Epoca organisation and the Race Committee did a flawless job. Personally, I would also like to thank every single member of the team for their commitment to the group as a whole.”
KZ-7 Kiwi Magic began the final day with a chance of challenging Kookaburra II, but the two victories by Bertelli’s yacht settled the contest. “We came to Imperia thinking that, if everything went our way, we might be able to compete for the title,” skipper Jes Gram-Hansen said. “After the first two days, however, it became clear that KZ-5 was in a league of her own: she sailed very well and deserved to win the World Championship. At that point our target became second place, which was still within reach at the beginning of today, but Kookaburra II sailed two excellent races. We can nevertheless be satisfied: the Kiwi Magic team has taken an important step forward.”
Gram-Hansen confirmed his intention to continue racing KZ-7, with particular interest in the class’s Italian events and the forthcoming meeting in Naples. For the Danish sailor, it would also mark a return to a city with which he has a close connection from his time with the Mascalzone Latino team. “I really enjoy racing in Italy and hope the fleet can remain together. Racing these yachts is fantastic, and it would be great to see more Italian teams joining us soon.”
The outcome was more disappointing for Kookaburra III, which showed remarkable upwind speed without managing to convert it into a podium finish. “Our expectations were a little different,” owner Maurizio Vecchiola explained. “We never expected to win the World Championship, but we did believe a podium place was possible. The yacht sailed some outstanding upwind legs: in today’s first race we had built a 30-second lead over Kookaburra II at the final windward mark. Her upwind performance is extraordinary, whereas she struggles more downwind. We will work on that area and on improving the crew’s coordination.”
Built for the Australian selection series ahead of the 1987 America’s Cup and winner of the 1988 Grand Prix World Championship in Luleå, Kookaburra III can now regard the Imperia result as a starting point. Vecchiola announced a programme of work in preparation for the next event in Naples: “She is a yacht with a great pedigree, and we will work hard and tenaciously to improve her.”
The title, however, remains firmly in the hands of KZ-5, representing the Yacht Club Italiano with Pietro D’Alì at the helm, Flavio Favini calling tactics and Tiziano Nava as skipper and mainsail trimmer. Winning at the yacht’s first attempt surprised even Andy Bianchedi, who bought her after seeing a photograph in Newport bearing the words “KZ-5 World Champion 2019”. The yacht was still in the United States, stored in a shed and offered for sale. That almost chance encounter led to the project of bringing her back to Europe, entrusting her preparation to Sangiorgio Marine in Genoa and equipping her with a new sail inventory. Her first appearance at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez had mainly served as an opportunity to learn the yacht, while the World Championship in Imperia was intended to be her first real test against the fleet.
“We didn’t expect to win, much less with two races to spare,” Bianchedi said. “We knew we had worked well and that the yacht was fast, but we had no idea where we stood compared with the others. This project began two or three years ago, and achieving this result straight away makes me extremely happy.”
Bianchedi believes that building the right group was the key to the success. Almost all the sailors aboard KZ-5 had previously raced with him on the ClubSwan 50, the Swan 98 or the 6 Metre Dan, establishing strong relationships even before the Grand Prix project began. “If I deserve any credit, it is for having managed to create a great group and a relaxed atmosphere both on and off the boat. I have known these people for many years, we have sailed together a great deal and I can call them friends. We also see each other outside the racing season; I arrange occasions for us to spend time together, and that keeps us united.”
It is a philosophy in which results remain important but are not the only measure of the experience. “I care deeply about harmony within the crew and about everyone being happy. Sailing is a form of recreation for me: I don’t get angry when the result doesn’t come and I don’t look for someone to blame. What matters to me first and foremost is the experience; then, when there is an opportunity to go for it, we do. This time the victory came as well, and it was the icing on the cake. I am delighted for myself, but above all for the guys. This approach has paid off.”
Giuliano Luzzatto