J/70 Calvi Network skipper Carlo Alberini, an emerging leader in the Coppa Italia J/70 Circuit, is one of Italy’s top sailors. Carlo has sailed for years at the top of the game in the M24 and M32 classes around the world as well as sailing in the European offshore circuits on the Mediterranean. His “Lightbay Sailing Team” are now currently leading the Coppa Italia J/70 Circuit. This past weekend, the third event in the circuit was sailed off picturesque Scarlino, a beautiful seaside town in Tuscany. The J/70 teams enjoyed six races during the weekend sailing in the challenging waters of the Gulf of Follonica. On the first day of sailing, Carlo and crew aboard CALVI NETWORK took three bullets and managed to keep themselves out of trouble. With the wind from the south up to 20 knots with short waves and irregular chop, sailing upwind took some skill to navigate the seas. Downwind was full-on planning mode, extremely exciting and fast downwind with gennakers flying. There were three different winners on the second day of sailing – PENSAVO ITA-262 (1-5-5) sailed by Beppe Zavanone; MAGIE ITA-455 (3-1-4) skippered by Gianluca Grisoli; and ITA-570 (7-4-1) led by helm Andrea Zaoli. Hanging on was CALVI NETWORK, sailing to a 2-3-2 to clinch the regatta and the overall lead for the Coppa Italia circuit. Their team was comprised of Carlo (owner-driver ), the Slovenian Olympic sailor Karlo Hmeljiak (tactics), Irene Bezzi (mainsail trimmer) and Sergio Blosi (trimmer). Just behind them in the standings were PENSAVO in second, MAGIE in third, SPIN ONE with skipper Peter Saccomanni in fourth and Zaoli’s team in fifth. The next stage of the Italian Cup will be staged again in the waters off Scarlino between May 31 and June 2. Thereafter, the last two events are both being sailed at Riva del Garda – the first one on July 26-27, and the last one from September 23-27 for the J/70 European Championship. For more Italian J/70 sailing information, contact Paolo Boido at J/Boats Italy (jboats@jboats.it or +39-335-688-5005).