24.° Ice Cup 2003

Lignano, 8/12/2003

The Ice Cup is regarded as the final sailing race of the year among those which take place in the Northern Adriatic Sea. The 24th edition was scheduled on the 7th of December, with more than 90 sailing boats participating in the race. The unfavourable weather conditions (the ?Bora? blowing at 30 knots with gusts of 50 knots) in keeping with the name of this race, led the jury to having to postpone the race to the following day.

But only about twenty boats took part in the 7 mile race, a coastal course starting in front of the town of Lignano, the first mark near Porto Buso, the second mark near Grado and then back to Lignano. At the beginning, a moderate breeze was blowing, but as the boats approached the second mark, they were sailing with the ?Bora? blowing at 20 knots, with large waves, which proved a real challenge for the crews.

The photos are very interesting indeed.