A spectacular start for Team Django at the 2025 Admiral’s Cup. In Saturday’s 160-nautical-mile Channel Race, the Italian team racing for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, delivered a strong performance across both classes, securing the provisional overall lead after the opening offshore leg.
Django wallyrocket51, competing in the AC1 class, crossed the finish line in first place, confirming the boat’s speed and the crew’s preparation. Meanwhile, Django JPK, in the AC2 class, completed a solid race finishing in fourth, a result that, combined with the AC1 victory, puts Team Django on top of the provisional leaderboard.
Django wallyrocket51, competing in the Admiral's Cup 1 class, crossed the Channel Race finish line in first place Photo: Paul Wyeth
“We had a very good experience in this race. It was exactly what we had been dreaming about for months. The crew did an amazing job, and at the same time, we learned a lot during these 20 hours on the water — with some really crazy conditions, from very light winds to gusts up to 25 knots towards the end. Everyone stayed focused and pushed hard until the finish, and the result shows how committed we all are in this Admiral’s Cup”, commented Vasco Vascotto, tactician Team Django wallyrocket51.
“We just finished this tough race. It was a short one, and like all short races, it was intense — no time to sleep, and we pushed really hard from beginning to end through constantly changing conditions. At times, it felt chaotic, as different parts of the fleet were sailing in completely different winds, which made it hard to manage. We struggled the most in the second half, waiting for a shift that never really came, and we lost a bit there. But on the final reach, we pushed the boat as hard as we could and recovered some positions. When we arrived, we found out our teammates on the wallyrocket51 had won the race. We finished fourth — a great team result! Now we rest and then regroup to plan our strategy for the upcoming inshore races… and of course, the Rolex Fastnet”, said Alberto Bolzan, helmsman Team Django JPK.
Django JPK, in the AC2 class, completed a solid race finishing in fourth Photo: Rick Tomlinson
Next up: three days of inshore racing from July 22 to 24, before the Rolex Fastnet Race, the event’s offshore grand finale, on July 26.
Wallyrocket51 crew:
- 1- Matteo Ramian - Bowman
- 2- Pietro Mantovani - Mid-bowman
- 3- Michele Cannoni - Pitman
- 4- Maciel Cichetti - Jib trimmer
- 5- Stefano Ciampalini - Gennaker trimmer
- 6- Nick Brezzi - Grinder
- 7- Cecilia Zorzi - Floater / Back Up Helm
- 8- Jules Mitchell - Grinder
- 9- Chris Hosking - Main trimmer
- 10- Giovanni Lombardi - Helmsman
- 11- Vasco Vascotto - Skipper / Tactician
- 12- Bruno Zirilli - Navigator
- 13- Michele Paoletti - Strategist / Back up helm
- 14- Guille Parada - Strategist / Back Up Helm
- Shannon Falcone - Reserve
- Giulio Maccarone - Boat Captain
- Giulio Desiderato - Coach
JPK 40 crew:
- 1. Alberto Bolzan - Helmsman
- 2. Michele Ivaldi - Tactician/Skipper
- 3. Juan Vila - Navigatore
- 4. Dirk de Ridder - Mainsheet trimmer
- 5. Ross Halcrow - Jib trimmer
- 6. Javier de la Plaza - Gennaker Trimmer
- 7. Jaro Furlani - Pitman
- 8. Michael Mueller - Bowman
- 9. Federica Salvà - Floater / Helm relief
- 10. Nicola Torchio - Grinder
- Francesco Binetti Pozzi - Boat Captain
- Ettore Botticini - Coach
- Robert Hook - Coach
- Max Valli - Sailmaker
