The Italian J/70 series has continued to grow in popularity as more teams take delivery of their new boats and others in the fleet continue to improve in their capabilities to compete at the front of the fleet. For their most recent event on Riva del Garda, the J/70s enjoyed medium strong and steady North winds, perfect to complete the six races on schedule for the fifth event of the Italian J/70 National Circuit. The fleet experienced great course setting, organized by one of Garda’s most experienced local experts: the 82-year-old Mr. Menoni, the Chairman of the Race Committee. Despite the rapidly ascending experience of the J/70 fleet, for one more time the winner was Carlo Alberini with his team aboard CALVI NETWORK. From the middle of the Adriatic Sea, Alberini has great one-design experience and a very good team. He was the only team to lead with two firsts on top of consistent scoring. Nevertheless, despite very close racing with Piero Saccomanni with SPIN ONE, the outcome could’ve been very different. Without having to take a penalty in one of the races, Piero might have been able to take the overall win for the fifth J/70 Coppa Italia event. Gianluca Grisoli, the owner/driver from northwestern Italy sailing MA.GI.E, showed very consistent sailing with top finishes never worse than fourth. For their first major event in J/70s, there were very excited, taking not only third on the podium, but having the great satisfaction of a dominating win in the last race with perfect tactics and excellent speed on every point of sail. Next on the Italian as well as European J/70 fleet circuit is the J/70 Europeans being held in the same place by the same host: Fraglia Vela Riva del Garda on Lago di Garda’s gorgeous waters from September 24-27. Register athttp://www.fragliavelariva.it/en/regatta/1571/view. For more Italian J/70 sailing information, visit http://www.j70.it/.