Tomira is the current location, with events tracing back to Caprera.
Tomira Cubed, a mysterious yacht, is built on a foundation of Francesco Gandolfi's boats. Except for a vintage wooden dinghy, all his shared vessels with wife Mietta have been crafted by one designer, Dick Carter. They still sail the legendary 34' Rabbit (1965), a boat that, coupled with Dorade (1931), ushered in the 20th century of yachting.
A Sailing Romance Spanning Decades
Francesco and Mietta, who met at Caprera Sailing Center in the late 60s, share a captivating story. They built their lives together, including their professional ventures, as they were also partners in GF Ovodray, a company producing dried egg albumen, primarily exported to Eastern Europe for the confectionery and food industry.
"I desired a more comfortable boat," Mietta Gandolfi confesses, explaining the acquisition of their contemporary Grand Soleil 44. Though it's over a year old, Tomira Cubed is designed as a cruiser-racer, retaining a competitive edge. Last race, they finished the Loro Piana Giraglia in 16th position in the ORC 1 group, narrowly missing Tengher by Alberto Magnani who won the race.
A Powerful Debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia
During the race, we embarked on Tomira Cubed with Mietta at the winches, Francisco at the helm, and a youthful crew at the bow, including Adelaide Giromella, the veteran of the Giraglia with over 30 participations. Despite starting the day with 9 knots of South-Southwest wind, the sailors managed to navigate through challenging conditions and strong competition to the finish line.
The Mythical Dick Carter
Francesco shared the story of Dick Carter, once believed to be deceased, but still very much alive at 97 years old. Dick Carter's hulls, manufactured worldwide, were popular in Italy, with approximately 130 boats launched.
A Fascinating Voyage from the Bow
Assisting the crew on the bow provides a thrilling perspective on the sail. As the long tacks, jibes, and tack changes unfold, ballast ceases to be a tiresome role but becomes an exhilarating part of the experience. Swells, spray, and sun contribute to the sailor's adventure.
The Loro Piana Giraglia race continues as various Maxi classes battle for supremacy, with the Maxi Wally 100 V and Maxi 72 Jethou competing fiercely for the lead. In the coastal IRC/ORC course, Sailing Team Arkas' TP52 took first place in real time, while Give Me Five of Adrien Follin led in the IRC rankings after time compensation.
- Mietta Gandolfi, with her extensive sailing experience spanning over 30 Giraglia races, expressed that their contemporary yacht, Tomira Cubed, has an average rating of a cruiser-racer, capable of maintaining both comfort and competitiveness on the sports field.
- In the dynamic world of sports sailing, the average performance of a vessel often showcases its potential for competitive success; however, the lesser-known yacht designer Dick Carter has crafted a collection of hulls that have gained iconic status, with over 130 boats launched worldwide.
