Press Release august 29th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

NANNI DIESEL FINISHES THE SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO PLACED 20TH.

 

Pietro D’Alì: “ I will be back….to win”

 

 

In difficulty during the entire Solitaire event due to speed even when sailing under spinnaker, the Italian skipper – Pietro D’Alì finished the 4th and final leg - from Dingle to Concarneau – yesterday (Monday) in 11th place, only two hours and 21 minutes after the winner of this leg: Gérald Veniard. Within the general classification, reported by Nicolas Troussel, the Nanni Diesel skipper closes this event in 20th place amongst 44 competitors. He therefore comes full circle in this magnificent season (winner of the Transat AG2R, 2nd  in the ‘Solo Med’ ) and assures us that he will return next year….much stronger. To win.

 

“ My assessment is that  I am obviously disappointed with my classification, considering I came here to compete as a protagonist. But I found my self in difficulty due to a speed problem even with the spinnaker and was not in a position to truly increase my chances. That’s the bottom line: if one does not have the correct speed at all moments, one cannot hope to win such a high level event…but I still thoroughly enjoyed it, learnt a lot and  will return next year and do my best to win”. This morning, along the Concarneau wharf, Pietro D’Alì’s spirits are still high, after recuperating for just one night and half a day following “an extremely tough last leg” from Dingle to Concarneau in which the entire fleet started off with strong winds (up to 30 knots) before finding themselves stuck in an area totally void of wind just 100 miles from the arrival. Areas with absolutely no wind whatsoever which only three boats managed to avoid: Gérald Veniard (Scutum), arriving 1st in this last leg, his third win this year, and gaining 3rd place in the general classification, behind Thierry Chabagny (Litoral) and the overall winner of this 2006 edition Nicolas Troussel (Financo).

 

                                               “An extraordinary season”

 

 

Pietro D’Alì himself, achieved a good result in this last leg having arrived in 11th place, but, obviously is not totally satisfied. “I got off to a good start from Dingle and all went well until I reached Fastnet; after that I made a couple of small errors and above all my lack of speed prevented me from gaining ground and going for ‘the win’! On arrival I felt exhausted and disappointed. One cannot always win and I have, however, had a formidable season – winning the Transat and gaining 2nd place in the Solo Med’. With sailing one can easily take part in world championships all one’s life without winning one single event!” The Nanni Diesel skipper is most certainly not one to ‘lose heart’!

 

Pietro D’Alì will most certainly return and take part in the next ‘Solitaire’. “I have full intentions to return and…why not….fulfil my dream of winning this event. It is, in any case, the best possible preparation towards the project of a bigger boat and one  day taking part in the Vendée Globe”, affirms the Italian skipper.

 

For the moment, Pietro D’Alì will allow himself of few more days of rest before involving himself in other nautical ventures. He will then move on to the FARR 20 world championships at Newport, a number of SWAN 44 races, the ‘Middle Sea Race’ and the Sydney-Hobart before training once more on the Figaro Béneteau. 

 

 

 

Results, ranks, interviews , photos in the official website www.lasolitaire.com

 

 

Press Release august 24th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

  

Pietro D’Alì, 18th upon arrival at Dingle: “ I will do my best in the last leg”

 

 

Tuesday, in the Bay of Dingle where not less than 35 boats out of 44 in the fleet found themselves almost aligned just two miles from the finishing line, the situation was not so good for the Nanni Diesel Italian skipper! Victory for Gérald Veniard (Scutum), but almost no change in regards to the general classification in which Nanni Diesel is placed 20th “I will give it my ‘all’ in the last leg”, assures Pietro D’Alì.

 

 

During last night, amidst the Irish fog, Pietro D’Alì crossed the finishing line a 0,46just 10 minutes and 9 seconds after the winner Gérard Véniard (Scutum) who succeeded in gaining the lead just one hundred meters from the finish, in front of Eric Drouglazet (Pixmania com)and the debutant Gildas Mahé (Le Comptir Immobilier).

After a tough battle lasting 3 ½ days along 470 miles, against strong winds and high seas from Saint-Gilles- Croix de Vie, all the boats arrived very close together…the first 35 within half an hour from each other! “It was really amazing to arrive so close together, after 470 miles battling against the wind and the sea. This leg has been really tough and complicated due to weather conditions…and towards the end we were all sailing with our spinnakers, when suddenly we found ourselves in a position of having to put up the genoa and the wind suddenly dropped. After that it was all a bit like a lottery!”, affirms the Nanni Diesel skipper.

 

“Any one of the boats could have won” A victim of data processing problems that penalized him at the start of the first leg, Pietro D’Alì has not been too successful in this leg from Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie to Dingle. But.. he looks for no excuse and is ready resume his sailing. “I made a slight mistake at the start, which put me behind. But I gained some ground during the first and second night when I came close to the first 10. There was not much wind along the coast. The third night was then very strange as the forecast did not coincide to what had been foreseen, and twice the wind dropped completely; there was a very dense fog and visibility was zero; the finish was absolutely incredible and any boat could have won”

 

This is what high sea regatta are all about. Up to now there has been only one ‘classic’ leg ( the first one) and two others which have been extreme: with incredible gusts between Santander and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie  and the other with this arrival with so many boats so close which has never ever happened in 37 events of the Solitaire.

 

Pietro D’Alì has perhaps not achieved, for the moment, the results he had hoped for, but his spirits are still strong. “ One cannot always win” explains Mauro Piani, the Nanni Diesel sports director.”The Solitaire history has proven its difficulty, and only skippers such as Jean Le Cam or Philippe Poupon have confirmed this and not always on board the same boat. The standard is very high and homogeneous. One must not forget that Pietro could have won last year…Therefore, even though we have the desire to take part in the Vendée Globe, we will return to the Solitaire; it is extremely formative; look at Michel Desjoyeaux and Alain Gautier who initially won this regatta before winning the Vendée Globe….”

Pietro, at the end of this leg..slept, he slept a lot. “tough, very tough, extremely cold..impossible to remain constantly out on deck.” What now? “Now there is one more leg to go, most certainly with a lot of wind, and I will give it my ‘all’ to achieve a good result. As I always do.”

 

The boats set out again on Friday towards Concarneau for the fourth and final leg of this Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro.

 

 

 

Results, ranks, interviews , photos in the official website www.lasolitaire.com

 

 

 

Press Release august 17th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

 

Pietro D’Alì (Nanni Diesel): “ an attempt at winning one leg”.

 

The Santander-Saint Gilles Croix de Vie leg, although the shortest in this regatta, was absolutely incredible: two skippers, Nicolas Troussel and Thierry Chabagny,  choosing an extreme westward course, won this leg distancing by a good ten hours the rest of the fleet: an unprecedented event. Pietro D’Alì, on board Nanni Diesel, following the direct course towards east, was deceived, similarly to the other 42 participants, by an area hit by a total absence of wind for a period of 12 hours. Currently in 19th position within the general classification, the Nanni Diesel skipper is still determined to give his best and even attempt to perhaps win one of the last two legs. The fleet will take off once again tomorrow morning, this time towards Ireland.

 

“I do not intend to keep an eye on the general classification. This leg, although the shortest, has been incredible: the weather forecast was constantly wrong and all weather conditions, apart form a bit of luck, favoured the two boats which were in the lead. Troussel and Chabagny are both very quick and great sailors; the advantage they now have is impossible to catch up on.” , On the wharf in Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, although placed 23rd in this last leg and with over 11 hours distance from those in the lead – placing him 19th in the general classification – Pietro D’Alì remains positive. Obviously the Nanni Diesel skipper was hoping to achieve more, but he is also aware that “ These situations are also part of high-sea sailing! At times incomprehensible events take place. Having said that, amongst those in my group following the course towards east, I believed I was sailing well, searching for even the tiniest gust in order to move ahead, always in contact with the best. For a  long period I was in a group with Nicolas Bérenger and we thought we were in a good position, amongst the first 10, and then it all became similar to a lottery and we were all astounded….there was absolutely no wind, the opposite to what the weather forecast had foreseen.”

 

Tomorrow: the departure towards Ireland.

Having overcome yesterday’s disappointment and after a good sleep, Pietro D’Alì is once again in good spirits. Therefore, he is not dwelling on the general classification which currently seems inaccessible with the advantage gained by Nicolas Troussel and Thierry Chabagny. But it is certainly not the moment to give up on the race. “As always, my desire is to sail. To sail well and be in contact with the best, attempt to remain amongst the first ten and then, perhaps, to be blessed with a touch of luck which at times allows one to transform a 10th place with a 1st……

What I wish to attempt right now is to win one of the two remaining legs, to navigate in a correct manner, and enjoy myself. The boat is in perfect condition , even though I have not yet reached the same speed as last year in the Solitaire….. .but I am working on it1 The other positive point is that I am more aware of the needs of my body and recuperate better.”

This last element relative to the physical conditions of the sailors is extremely important as the time they have in which to recuperate is very limited: already, tomorrow morning, the regatta committee will announce the departure of one more long and difficult leg, without doubt with the wind against them, towards Dingle, Ireland: their next destination. It is not yet known if the course will be shortened or not (545 miles foreseen) and if the departure (foreseen for 11am) will be moved forward by a few hours, allowing the skippers to rest for a little longer.

But what is known that it will be yet another great adventure, the third,  second-last, of this 37th edition of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. Two more legs for the Nanni Diesel skipper, in which he can try to stand out. We already knew that that was his intention. Starting tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release august 14th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

 

Pietro D’Alì (Nanni Diesel) on his way in the 2nd leg  

 

 

 

Along with the other 43 competitors in the Soitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, Pietro D’Alì left Santander on Sunday afternoon on this 2nd leg towards the port of destination Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, passing by the Birvideaux lighthouse, north of Belle-Ile. In this leg, with 314 miles to cover,  the Italian Nanni Diesel Skipper is there to give his utmost on board his Figaro Bénéteau.

 

“I am certain that Pietro will do his best; after that….what will happen is already written, and it will be his destiny which will, at the end, decide.” Having joined her ‘family’ in order to encourage her skipper, Amalia Festa, Nanni Diesel President, yesterday, Sunday, was extremely philosophical whilst standing on the Santander wharf just before the fleet picked up the moorings on their departure for the 2nd leg of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro. Having arrived 18th, just one hour and forty minutes after the winner in the 1st leg from Cherbourg to Santander, Pietro D’Alì kept smiling and did not speak anymore, as he had at his arrival, about his concerns regarding the spinnaker. “Last year I won one leg and came 1st amongst those making their debut, this year winning the Transat AG2R with Kito de Pavant and conquered 2nd place in the Solo Med…..you know…one cannot always win in sailing events, especially considering the extremely high level of the skippers  involved in the Solitaire….”

 

Moreover,  no feeling of resignation transpires. Yesterday, at the departure in the magnificent bay of Santander, Nanni Diesel was one of the first to cross the line at the blast of the cannon….. and -without doubt in order to avoid possible complaints on the part of other participants- preventively returning to cross it again. It is so that Nanni Diesel lost a few miles along the spectacular coastal course, running with a north-west wind averaging 10 knots. Nothing dramatic.

 

Then came a dark and difficult night, with uncomfortable waves and a weak wind right on course which forcing – for the moment – all the solitaire sailors to

sail close hauled to tack their way back up wind.  The zephyrs are weak and for the moment not very significant. This Monday morning, August 14h, at the bearing at 4.30 am, Pietro D’Alì was placed 30th,  just 3, 9 miles behind Yann Elies, the skipper currently in the lead.  All is yet to be seen. .in the long course to Saint – Gilles – Croix de Vie, via the Birvideaux, north of Belle-Ile. This morning, the first amongst fleet where directed south of the Gulf of Gascogne, 270 miles from the arrival at Vandea, currently foreseen for the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mauro Piani, sports Director for the Nanni Diesel Sailing Team, also remains philosophical:

“The ‘label’ of ‘favourite’ is not an easy image to carry. In sailing and especially within the Figaro class, one of the most arduous in the world, there are at least 15 professional boats that could win instantly…Therefore they are all in it to …win…to be placed 15th. We shall just wait and see; I know with all certainty that Pietro always gives his utmost to emerge and achieve a good result. It is the best way to convince a sponsor to accompany him along in a 60  ft  boat design in order to participate in the Vendée Globe.”

 

 

 

Results, ranks, interviews , photos in the official website www.lasolitaire.com

 

 

 

Press Release august 10th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

 

Pietro D’Alì (Nanni Diesel):  “The race is still on”

  

 

Last night, Wednesdasy 9th, at the end of the first leg of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, Nanni Diesel reached Santander in 18th place. But, although just one hour and 40 minutes behind the current winner of this first leg, Pietro D’Alì still believes in his chances of gaining a good place. 

 

The race is still on. There are 3 legs to go”.  Last night, upon arrival at Santander, placed 18th in this first leg of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro, Pietro D’Alì, the Italian Nanni Diesel Skipper, made a good effort in keeping his spirits high. One hour and 40 minutes earlier, Gerald Véniard (Scutum) had won  this long leg of 690 miles from Cherbourg via the English coast, reaching the Spanish port. “It is true, I have 1hour and 40 minutes to catch up on which is a lot but at the same time not too much and that is what high sea sailing is about… the smallest error can cost you a lot and I made one at Start Point, just below England, by not taking a northerly course.. After that, we sailed for 400miles with the wind behind us  and a direct course after the Wolf Rock lighthouse, so it was not simple to catch up on lost time. In actual fact I felt a little bit less at ease with my new spinnaker”.

 

No intention whatsoever of giving up. After all, the Vendée Globe hero and twice winner  of the Transat Jacques Vabre Jean Pierre Dick is worse of arriving 37th and 5 hours after the winner.. Eric Drouglazet is also behind Pietro, whilst Kito de Pavant, the other great favourite arrived 12th, only 20 minutes ahead of Pietro D’Alì.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed it all”

 

There are still nearly 1300 miles of sea to cover in 3 legs before reaching Concarneau at the end of the month. “Many things can happen…”affirms the Nanni Diesel skipper…such as winning a leg, just like last year at La Rochelle.

 

Now, before leaving for Saint Gilles Croix via Belle Ile next Sunday, Pietro and the other 43 skippers participating in this Solitaire have a few days during which they can rest, recharge their batteries, examine the weather forecast… There will most certainly be a lot of talk about the ideal weather conditions during this first leg, including an ‘express’ crossing of the Gulf of Gascogne. There will be a lot of comments about the sea and the beauty of sailing. “We thoroughly enjoyed it; there were some exceptional long surfs, and magnificent sailing conditions. Whatever the situation, I always feel great on the water”. The strain?  “Compared to last year, my sleeping pattern has improved – in fact I sleep whenever I feel the need; I am able to manage my body a lot better and  feel fine. My face though is totally sunburnt…..I believe I waited too long before putting on some sun-cream!”

 

These are the Nanni Diesel skipper’s last comments before going off to enjoy a deep sleep  and, perhaps, dream about the next leg which will take them all once again towards France. It was going back up in Spain  last that year Pietro D’Alì exhibited his best skills and where his talent was noticed by all those interested in high sea sailing.

 

 

Results, ranks, interviews , photos in the official website www.lasolitaire.com

 

 

 

Tuesday August 8th 2006-08-08

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

Pietro D’Alì – half way through the first leg and always competitive!

 

Following a superb take off from Cherbourg and two nights at sea, Pietro D’Alì is currently placed 11th – 6,5 miles from the leader Gildas Morvan. The Nanni Diesel Skipper is therefore once again in a position to achieve a good result in this first leg of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro

Towards Santander. The weather forecast is also currently excellent, allowing the Solitaire sailors to proceed at an average speed of over 10 knots following the direct course.

“Kito de Pavant says that upon water I am a killer?......But so is he!”  Pietro D’alì, upon hearing this anecdote at the start of the race on Sunday afternoon, immediately burst out laughing! They are both great favourites considering they have won almost every event this season, the Nanni Diesel and Group Bel skippers have already covered half the course of this first leg of the Solitaire Afflelou to Santander. There are still 260 miles to go before reaching the Porto of Cantabrie, most probably tomorrow evening or at night between Wednesday and Thursday.

Today, Tuesday morning at 8.30am, the fleet of the 44 Solitaire sailors was in the latitude of Concarneau, with Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) and Charles Caudrelier (Bostik) in the lead. Currently, weather conditions are excellent, with a substantial north-easterly wind, the Figaro Bénéteau II  are now moving down towards south in these ideal conditions for any sailor, with great surfs and, at the moment,  winds averaging 10 knots. Therefore…great fun on board Nanni Diesel and generally for all the other boats taking part in this Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro.

 

 

11.am -  this Tuesday morning

 

 

All is going well for the Nanni Diesel skipper, who at 8.30am was in 11th position, 6,5 from the leader. As a weakening in the wind is foreseen, with it possibly totally disappearing by tomorrow in the vicinity of the Spanish coast, Pietro d’Alì still stands a great chance of conquering a good position in this first leg in Spain. “It is true….I appreciate light winds as I feel totally at ease in such conditions” was what Pietro affirmed just before leaving Cherbourg. Since then he has gone beyond the Channel and the English coastline up to Wolf Rock lighthouse and, apart from the choice of a median course within the Channel (less favourable that the one chosen by Gildas Morvan – although he took a great risk b leaving from a very northerly point under England), Nanni Diesel is still well placed.

Pietro D’Alì’s objective in relation to this first half of the leg: “I will do my best to place myself amongst the first 15 as everything could become decisive only a few miles from our arrival at Santander. Then…one must be completely alert and also rested in order to give one’s utmost during the final miles”

It will be then that we will see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release august 4th 2006

 

 

SOLITAIRE AFFLELOU LE FIGARO

 

 

Pietro D’Alì: “I am here to win”.

  

 

At 43, Pietro D’Alì is not secretive regarding his intentions: he is participating in the Afflelou le Figaro as a protagonist, possibly to win. The Nanni Diesel skipper has good reason to believe this. The leader for a long period last year, winner of one leg at ‘La Rochelle’ and 1st amongst those making their debut, he would like to achieve ‘just as much’. The Italian skipper is one of the great favourites of this 37th Solitaire which takes off on Sunday with the first leg: 590 miles from Cherbourg to Santander, along the English coast.

 

 

What if – for the first time – an Italian skipper won the ‘Solitaire’? What can be said is that this year such a thought is not impossible. Pietro D’Alì, the Nanni Diesel skipper, has already amazed everyone for his speed and abilities – acquiring not only the nickname ‘Pietro Ferrari’ but high praise from the ‘Professor’ Michel Desjoyeaux. The Italian, ex mainsail trimmer for the Prada team in the America’s cup, had then achieved excellent results: winner of the famous leg at ‘La Rochelle’, remaining, at length, the leader within the general classifications (at the conclusion of the 8th regatta) and winning the title of 1st amongst those making their debut.

Since then, Pietro D’Alì has proved to be a real champion: winner of the TRANSAT AG2R with Kito de Pavant and 2nd in the Cannes-Istanbul with the same co-skipper, also currently one of the 12 great favourites of this regatta.

 

 

“Therefore, I am here to win” the Italian skipper affirms without hesitation, just two days before the start at Cherbourg. “I believe I will be part of the 10 boats in a position to possibly win, but when sailing one cannot be sure of anything and it is a lot easier to lose 2 to 3 hours rather than gain them also considering the very high level of the race and the difficult course.”

 

“I am more serene”

 

This Friday afternoon NANNI DIESEL and 43 other boats will take part in the Afflelou Prologue – a short course to warm up and of no importance in regards to the classification.

The start has been scheduled for Sunday, beginning with the longest leg of the regatta: 590 miles to Santander, along the English coast and by the Wolf Rock lighthouse: “It will be tough but I am not afraid; right from the start I will have to gain a place amongst the leading fleet and then pay attention to the currents along the English coast”, analyses Pietro D’Alì. However, the Italian skipper affirms to have made progress in regards to an essential point in which he felt a weakness: managing his sleep. “I have learnt to handle my efforts better and rest when I feel it is necessary, giving my utmost in strategic moments. It is very important as last year at ‘La Rochelle’ I recall not sleeping at all and being so tired at the arrival I had no feeling whatsoever in my arms….”

 

Therefore….Pietro D’Alì will be a ‘tough obstacle’ as many of his opponents say. “The fact is that now I am a lot more experienced; I am also a lot calmer and more serene compared to last year; I am more knowledgeable in regards to the regatta and also the boat which has been prepared to perfection by all the team and my sports Director Mauro Piani. Last year I was going into the ‘unknown’ – confronting myself, as best I could, in regards to solo sailing. This year is another story and I feel confident. I am also fully aware of the fact that on water…anything is possible.”

 

 

In Italy, Pietro D’Alì is already a phenomenon – well known by the media: “I have given many interviews on television, on the radio, to newspapers and am now much better known. But one must achieve good results so as to move on to the next stage: to participate in the ‘Vendée Globe’ “

That moment has not yet arrived. Currently there are 1900 miles to cover in four legs…….and Kito de Pavant’s quip to justify: “You are asking me if I will win?......Well, it depends if Pietro is in fornt of me or behind!!”

 

 

 

Results, ranks, interviews , photos in the official website www.lasolitaire.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release june 17th 2006

 

 

Solo Méditerrannée

 

Pietro D’Alì (Nanni Diesel) conquers 2nd place, only 1 point behind Kito de Pavant !

 

By just 1 point, the minimum difference possible, Pietro D’Alì finished the Solo Méditerranée in 2nd place, right behind his friend Kito de Pavant and in front of Charles Caudrelier. Winners, last month of the Transat AG2R, Kito and Pietro will be on the first two steps of the podium! Today, Saturday, the final leg which could have possibly changed the classification, was cancelled due to strong winds in Porquerolles.

“Yesterday I encountered certain difficulties which probably cost me the victory, but I do not feel any animosity whatsoever. It is an amazing result and I am extremely satisfied and very happy for the winner to be Kito ! He is a good friend of mine !” Pietro D’Alì, the Nanni Italian skipper of the Figaro Bénéteau is to be admired for his sportsmanship as he speaks from  Porquerolles where, due to winds over 30 knots, the fleet of the 29 solo sailors were forced to remain alongside the wharf. The final leg was cancelled.

Therefore, following the two legs disputed yesterday, Friday, it is the result of the general classification which counts as the final one, celebrating Kito de Pavant as the winner, with just 1 point of advantage over Pietro D’Alì. “This time he is the winner; perhaps next time it will be me!”, jokes the Nanni skipper. “With Kito we train together, we choose our sails together, we won the Transat together, and although we do not sail in an identical manner, we are however both very fast and continually learn from each other”, explains Pietro D’Alì.

 

A good result before “La Solitaire”.

Can you give us an evaluation of the regatta?  “Very positive, starting with the speed of the boat which is good and in which I now have a great deal of faith, an extremely important fact as without that one cannot hope for anything on a Figaro Beneteau”, explains Pietro. “The strongest memory of this 2006 edition will always be the satisfaction of having conquered the longest leg of the regatta: 280 miles from Gruissan to Porquerolles, a leg worth triple.”

“When one is aware of the quality of the skippers involved, winning is always a great moment”, assures Pietro.  “Technically everything works, but one can always improve and I can still practice in relation to certain technical stages, for example in being more aggressive at the start.”

It is obvious to all that this ‘almost victory’ satisfies the Italian skipper who is now one of the natural favourites for the classic regatta in August: the ‘Solitaire Afflelou le Figaro’. “…and Yes! I hope it is a good omen!”,  he comments, “but…there are very slight differences amongst the best also at the ‘Solitaire’. I believe that this year about 10 to 12 skippers can aim at winning and…yes I think I am part of that group,” assures Pietro who has never hidden his intention of participating in the 2008 Vendée Globe.But that is another story. For the moment, with Amalia Festa, President of Nanni Diesel, Mauro Piani, sports Director, and the rest of his team, the time to celebrate Pietro has arrived. This evening, at the awards ceremony in Porquerolles, the party will most certainly feel an Italian influence!

 

The end

 

AMALIA FESTA : “Very important for Italian sailing”

Amalia Festa, President of Nanni Diesel, legitimately feeling very proud of Pietro D’Alì and his Figaro Bénéteau, sponsored by the group that specialize in marine engines. “This classification confirms that Kito and Pietro are inseparable! They make up an amazing tandem! It is such a great pleasure to see them both on the two highest steps of the podium. They motivate each other and learn from one another.”

Having launched herself completely into this adventure three years ago, Amalia now reaps the harvest of her hard work. “At the beginning I was quite alone.”  But today, “The Lady of the Seas” (the imaginary character in the poetic book written by Amalia Festa) is extremely happy. “I am happy for the entire Nanni Diesel family, and also for Pietro. He is a rare talent, followed closely by the Italians, becoming ‘their’ skipper, ‘their’ ambassador. The results he has achieved are very important for the sport of sailing in Italy. Our intentions have been fulfilled: we wanted the Figaro Beneteau to become known through us and at the same time propose a different way of doing things, with a true family spirit around a united team directed by Mauro. I believe it was the correct path to follow. Pietro will now concentrate on ‘La Solitaire Afflelou le Figaro’ and after that, perhaps on the ‘Course des Falaises’ regatta to conclude the French high-sea championships. Finally, I sincerely hope that he will find a partner with whom to participate in the ‘Vendée Globe’. He most certainly deserves it!”

 

 

SOLO MED’   -  June 15th 2006-06-15

 

WINNER OF THIS LAST LEG, NANNI DIESEL HAS CONQUERED FIRST PLACE IN THE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION.

 

PIETRO D’ALI’  TRIUMPHS AT PORQUEROLLES.

 

 

The incredible Pietro D’Alì !  Just like last year at Gruissan, the Italian skipper, at Porquerolles, has achieved victory of a long high sea leg in the Solo Med’….and what a leg!! After an extremely combative 280 miles, Wednesday night the Nanni Diesel skipper won the second last leg worth triple, preceding Eric Douglazet and Corentin Douguet.  And it is so that Pietro D’Alì  has therefore conquered 1st place in the general classification, taking the lead with 6 points of advantage on Kito de Pavant and 9 on Charles Caudrelier.

 

 

Wednesday June 14th – 100 pm.    “PIETRO FERRARI” has returned ! Just like at Gruissan last year during his first regatta on the Figaro Bénéteau, similarly to the ‘La Rochelle’ last summer at the Solitaire Afflelou le Figaro, Pietro D’Alì, the Nanni Diesel skipper, has just conquered a prestigious victory at Porquerolles, slightly preceding Eric Prouglaset and the amazing Corentin Douguet, first in classification amongst those making their debut which last year was won by Pietro D’Alì.   “I am truly very happy” says a smiling Pietro DAlì, “even though it was a very tough leg with mild winds and unstable conditions to manage”.

 

Pietro D’Alì , with this leg at coefficient 3, takes the lead in the general classification, beating his friend Kito de Pavant with whom only a few weeks ago he won the Transat AG2R. In the general classification, the Nanni Diesel skipper, now has 6 points advantage over Kito de Pavant, 9 over Charles Caudrelier and 11 over Gildas Morvan.  Considering that the one placed 5th has 30 extra points, the fight for victory will most probably be disputed between these 4 boats in the four legs (coefficient 1)  between now and Saturday.

 

Constantly in the front group since the start on Monday at Gruissan, alternating the lead with Laurent Pellecuer, Armel Tripon, Gildas Morvan or Eric Drouglazet, Pietro D’Alì has succeeded in holding the lead for the entire distance, before revealing his knowledge of speed as well as the course to follow during the last 50 miles of the leg.  “I remained constantly amongst the leaders, sailing rapidly in mild winds and was the first to aim towards the coast where wind conditions were favourable and where I was well placed and at the best angle right up to the finishing point”.

 

At the conclusion of an emotional arrival, around the magnificent Island of Porquerolles, the Nanni Diesel skipper managed to gain 8 minutes over Eric Drouglazet, an advantage maintained right up to the end. Win the regatta? …An ever increasing thought in Pietro’s mind. “It would be wonderful, but I am on one of four boats who are all very close and the final word has not yet been said. It will be a very competitive battle”, he explains assuring that: “the biggest mistake would be to try and focus on Kito, Charles or Gildas. I believe it will be better to simply concentrate on my own regatta without worrying about what the others are doing.” On Friday and Saturday, around Porquerolles there will certainly be an atmosphere of suspense, great suspense, with another objective on the cards: Pietro D’Alì is already the first foreign skipper to win a number of legs in the Figaro circuit in the Mediterranean. He would not mind being the first non-French skipper to conquer the first step of the podium in this regatta. That he is in the right situation to give substance to this incredible dream is already without doubt a fact.

 

 

 

 

Solo Méditerranée

 

 

One more podium for Pietro D’Alì at the helm of Nanni Diesel.

 

 

Pietro D’Alì, the Nanni Diesel Italian skipper is sparkling on the Figaro Bénéteau. Just one month after having won the Transat AG2R with Kito de Pavant, he has just ensured himself 3rd place for the first leg of the Med’ Solo, behind the Australian Liz Wardley and the winner Kito de Pavant.

 

 

Thursday, June 8th 2006 – 3.00 am. “An extremely good result for one’s spiritis! Pietro has sailed very well and has gone from 10th position to 5th in the general classification. An excellent result…”

Mauro Piani, sports director for Nanni Diesel, was extremely happy on Wednesday night in Gruissan for the 3rd place achieved by his protégé Pietro D’Alì, who immediately went to rest, worn out by this last leg of 206 miles which gave no respite. The arrival of the 30 solo sailors was foreseen for Thursday morning at the earliest; instead, the all arrived by Wednesday night…

 

“Pietro has shown he knows how to fight.”

 This leg is worth triple (coefficient 3) in this regatta where every point counts, a regatta in which Pietro D’Alì became known to the French public last year when he in fact won the leg at Gruissan. This year, one had to reach Gruissan leaving from Cassis, passing by the islands of Médes, at the extreme north-east of Spain. The Nanni Diesel skipper, opting for a northern route, did well, almost constantly in front alternating with Kito de Pavant, his team-mate as winners in the last Transat AG2R and during training sessions. And it is the latter who just gained victory, in front of the astonishing, tiny Australian Liz Wardley who has conquered 2nd place in between two men.

 

 

“ A part from this result which is obviously very positive,” adds Mauro Piani, “what pleases me most is that Pietro reacted extremely well, having found himself, close to the finish, in an area with absolutely no wind. At that moment he could have lost it all, but he gave his utmost and reached the podium.”

 

Considering many amongst the first 10 skippers suffered during this leg, the Nanni Diesel skipper achieved a spectacular comeback within the general classification, going- in just one leg – from 10th position to 5th.

 

It goes without saying that one will confront oneself with him and his Nanni Diesel until June the 17th, finishing date of the Solo Med’ at Porquerolles.

 

Today, Thursday, and tomorrow, Friday, will be two days totally dedicated to a well-earned rest; the race will be back on as from this weekend with the legs of the Gruissan Grand Prix. There will then be one more week of competition, during which one leg worth triple for a Pietro D’Alì in top form to race. It looks promising!

 

 

 

Press Release june 5th 2006

 

 

Solo Méditerrannée

 

Pietro D’Ali (Nanni Diesel) : « Everything possible to win some legs »

   

After four competitive legs on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in Marseille and Cassis, the Nanni Diesel skipper is currently in 10th place in the general classification of the Méditerranée Solo. A good result, considering the extremely high standard of the 30 skippers involved, but not one that fully satisfies Pietro D’Alì. The Nanni Diesel skipper is there to win and will do everything in his power to win a number of legs. He still has two weeks to achieve this.

 

 

 “I am slightly disappointed as it took me a great deal of time to find the correct speed; I had a few problems in adjusting the boat and did not do my best in conditions of unstable winds. But everything is now resolved, and the regatta will continue for two more weeks, with some high-sea legs with a coefficient of 3; therefore my spirits are still high: I will give my utmost to win some legs. We will then see the final result at the end of it all.”

 These are Pietro D’Alì’s feelings on Monday morning at Cassis, minutes before leaving for the 5th leg of the Solo Med, with mild winds of 7 / 8 knots.For the Nanni Diesel skipper the race is far from over and, although up to now the results are slightly lower than expected, his spirits are high. “We have found the solutions for the boat”, adds Mauro Piani, sports Director for Nanni Diesel, “and now the speed is satisfying and Pietro aspires at gaining ground in the classification, even though this regatta is far tougher than last year’s, the average standard of the outsiders is far higher than usual.”

 Up to now, in the four disputed legs, Pietro D’Alì has finished in 8th, 20th, 8th and 15th position.

“I would like to do better. A part from the problems relative to the speed, I made some slight mistakes which can be easily rectified.” confesses the Nanni Diesel skipper, winner of the recent Transat AG2R. “It is better to make these mistakes now rather than during the Afflelou Le Figaro Solitaire,” states Mauro Piani.

There is still a while to go with the regatta ending at Porquerolles on June 17th. There are still coastal routes, buoys to go around and high-sea legs which are worth three times as much and could therefore completely change the classification, considering also that the boats are all close in points.

Almost immediately, right from the start of this leg, Pietro is in the front group with his Nanni Diesel. He tacked around the buoy in front of Casis in 3rd position, with 15 miles to go before ending this 5th leg with the arrival foreseen today at 6.00pm. 

 

 

To follow the regatta please consult: www.solo-mediterranee.com

 

 

 

Pietro D’Alì, on board ‘Nanni Diesel’, is currently the favourite for the ‘Mediteranée Single-Handed’  2006 regatta, which begins tomorrow in Marseille.

 

The Italian sailor Pietro D’Alì, recent winner together with Kito de Pavant of the Transat AG2R, will participate this week in the Mediterranée single-handed regatta which takes off  tomorrow from Marseille. The ‘Nanni Diesel’ skipper is already one of the favourites, only one year after his debut on board the Figaro Bénéteau monotype.

 

“When sailing, one cannot always win and this year at least a dozen sailors can aim at gaining first place, but that is my reason for being here. On the other hand, it is also very important for me to achieve good results as, apart from this regatta, I hope to find a sponsor to enable me to take part in the next ‘Vendée Globe’. Pietro D’Alì does not disguise his intentions: the ‘Nanni Diesel’ skipper is at the start of the ‘Mediterranée Solitaire – previously General Solitaire – in the capacity of a protagonist.

 

It could not be otherwise if one considers his victory last year in one lap in this same regatta at Gruissan, followed by his successes in the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro (1st amongst those making their debut and one victory on one lap); he is also without doubt more confident due to his recent victory with Kito de Pavant   in the Transat AG2R (short handed) at Saint Barthélemy.

 

“Stronger than last year”.

“Pietro is in excellent form, the boat is at her best: he was personally in a position to verify this by sailing her himself from Genoa to Masrseille to complete all automatisms relative to single-handed sailing”, adds Mauro Piani, sports Director for the Nanni Diesel Team, who once again this year will remain close to Pietro D’Alì.

As Mauro Piani affirms: “Pietro is stronger than last year, more serene, even more in harmony with the boat, and has  learnt to save and balance his energy for the final stages of each leg. He has achieved excellent results which also help in strengthening ones self-esteem and he still has a strong desire to complete a job well-done and win”.

 

Alternating Olympic routes around the buoys and long deep-sea legs between all ports relative to the regatta -  Marseille, Cassis, Gruissan and Porquerolles – the ‘Mediterranée Solitaire’ does not give any respite: it is a regatta based on points, in which every leg counts, certain legs having an estimated coefficient of 2 or 3. This all means that regularity pays off…..and regularity is certainly one of Pietro D’Alì’s qualities; always cited as a possible winner amongst the other pretenders to the podium within the Figaro Bénéteau class.

 

Today, Wednesday, the prologue has been cancelled due to the strong Mistral in the bay of Marseille (40 knots), but tomorrow, in all seriousness, it will begin, within one or two rounds of the Marseille Grand Prix, where one can foresee as undoubtedly being contentious.

 

“It will be hard going right from the start, with a lot of hard work involved to achieve a job well-done. In this regatta it is essential to try and avoid making the slightest mistake”, explains Pietro D’Alì, with the confidence of one who knows exactly what he is talking about.

 

 

To follow the regatta please consult: www.solo-mediterranée.com

 

 

 

An interview with Pietro D’Alì

 

Pietro D’Alì, the only Italian sailor to have taken part in an America’s Cup final (with the PradaTeam on board the 2000 Louis Vitton Cup winner “Luna Rossa”), participated in the 2000 SydneyOlympic Games (Star Class), in the 1993/94 Whitbread Around the World Race (on board “Brooksfield”) and in the 1997 Admiral’s Cup on “Brava Q8, adding one more important victory to his already incredible curriculum. Together with Kito De Pavant he won the Transat Ag2r from Concarneau to Saint Barthélemy in the French Antilles..

For a little over a year now, Pietro D’Alì has been training on the one design 10.1m Bénéteau Figaro 2 “Nanni Diesel”, of which the success, not just competitive but also commercial, is extremely widespread in France and has become well-known in Italy.  On “Nanni Diesel” the Milanese skipper, who has adopted Genoa as is home, had already made himself known during last season making his debut in the Figaro class, racing in regattas and in single handed events. He won one leg of the famous “Solitaire Le Figaro” finishing, at the end of the four events, first amongst the beginners and eighth in the general results. 

Having just returned to Italy, this is what Pietro D’Alì told us:

 

What does one feel having achieved such an important victory in an Atlantic crossing?

Without doubt the arrival is exciting, considering also that there were a large number of boats around us and, after so many days at sea, to arrive, as the winner, is most definitely very moving. The excitement is tremendous. Even though it was very early in the morning, the quay was crammed with people waiting. The moment was slightly sad for those who came in second as there was no one around for them; ten minutes later though, they also began to celebrate, although the spectator boats remained close around us.

 

Was the battle quite a challenge for you against  Dominc Vittet and Lionel Lemonchois on “ATAO Audio System” who came in second?

It was, but more towards the end when they came up close behind us, as during the last three days the wind dropped consistently. Therefore the fleet was briefly re-formed. However, the most hard-fought battle was against “Brit Air” (Armel Le Cléac’h and Nicolas Troussel), who had chosen a course more to the south but did not succeed in crossing in front of us, and three or four days before arrival we were aware of the fact that should the wind change to south-east, ours was the better position to be in. We took the line 200 miles from arrival, already with a forecast of the wind dropping. The forecast was correct, although initially the wind increased rather a lot, reaching 30 knots aft of the beam. We then gybed right on the lay line and found ourselves on the same course as the second boat, who had in actual fact gybed earlier and was windward behind us.  We were in a better position. When the wind dropped we then gained miles. It was, however, a difficult moment also considering that before we gybed there were no other new positions (for about 10 to 12 hours) and we therefore knew that “ATAO Audio System” had probably gybed earlier in order to attack. Considering the forecast we did not want to leave our leeward open putting ourselves then in a position of perhaps having to gybe once again and make our way to the lay line with no wind, losing many miles.

 

                                                                                                                                                        

Do you get along well with Kito de Pavant?

Yes. He is an excellent sailor. We both feel a strong reciprocal trust towards each other, therefore no problems arose.

 

He has said that he took you along with him also because, had you been on another boat, you would have won with someone else !

Personally, I feel that that was a great statement. I believe that the mutual esteem we feel is due to the fact that for a long time, almost a year, we trained as opponents. We both benefited very much from those long training sessions. Although, a part from 2 days we had never sailed together, once on board we instantly felt at ease with each other. He is an excellent sailor. Very worthy.

 

Is the Figaro a good boat?

It is a boat that likes to go hard because it is made well. She is not fragile, you can really push her a lot in strong winds and that is what happened during the first three days. Unfortunately we damaged the storm spinnaker after just 5 hours, so we mostly used the ¾ ounce. The third spinnaker on board was the ½ ounce. This choice was a wild guess as we thought we would find less wind in the Trades and more doldrums, but it was not the case. In fact we used the ½ ounce for a couple of days and we often had to put up the ¾ ounce for the gusts. We did not gain much having this sail. To counterbalance, we only had one spinnaker (the ¾ ounce) and had we torn that one……! Yes, I had repaired the storm spinnaker, but the material was wet, we did not have much acetone to clean it properly and therefore it was a slightly unreliable refit. We had to be careful to preserve this spinnaker as it had a damaged clew – the stainless fitting – the first night that it tore and I repaired it with spectra. Particularly during the first night, when we were on more of a run, we laid off even more in the strong winds in order to save the spinnaker. We could have been further ahead at the beginning, but we purposely laid off slightly so as not to take risks with the ¾ ounce spinnaker. At the beginning it was best for us to go towards the west where there was more northerly wind, then make better use of the wind turning towards nor’east, gybing and the gybing again on the second successive increase in wind before Madera. As forecast for the last 80 miles to Madera, the wind dropped completely and it was the only part of the race during which we used the genoa. There were also rain clouds as there was a low pressure field covering a very large area. In that particular area there was no real strategy we could follow. A dark zone to cross, where one makes use of the clouds and what one finds. At a certain point, even within these doldrums, we were first, then they began to significantly gain ground on us from the east and from the west, a few boats passing us from the east and three from the west. However, within twenty minutes, 10 of us reached the buoy at Porto Santo Stefano; we rounded ninth. The first, 10 minutes ahead, and those of us behind were all in a line, very close together.

 

Do you prefer to race short handed or single handed?

It is nicer when there are two of us because one can push the boat harder and also rest more. Single handed, especially on the Figaro, the fact that one cannot sleep makes it very hard, also because one often sails close to the coast in zones full of ships, fishing boats and algae, and you must not allow yourself to get distracted for one single second. One must continually clear the algae from the hull and rudder which is a huge amount of work. The Figaro puts you to the test physically and therefore it is very tiring. The longer crossings, even single-handed, leave you more time to rest as one uses the autopilot more often.

 

Do you like this race they are going to do short handed around the world?

It will be a great race. I think we will push the boat a lot more as, with two people, one can helm much more often and it could also be that they will use some different sails and it is also possible to have hulls that are slightly different. More than anything, the autopilot works best beam reaching and broad reaching.