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Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica
Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica is a long-established sailing club on the Gulf of Follonica in Tuscany, promoting sailing since 1976 as a member of the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV). The club is based at Pratoranieri on Viale Italia and offers a clubhouse, an FIV-licensed sailing school, and its own weather station with a live webcam. Programmes include summer courses for adults and children, spring and autumn courses for school groups, and an active racing and youth programme in classes such as Optimist, Laser/ILCA, 420 and 470. For decades the club has hosted national and international championships and ranks among Italy's most successful youth and regatta clubs.
History
In 1976 a small group of young sailors formed the Centro Diffusione Vela to promote the sport of sailing. Supported by LNI Follonica, the club was affiliated with the FIV (Italian Sailing Federation) and named Gruppo Vela LNI Follonica. In the early days the first facilities were at The Gulf beach club; later a small shed was erected at Boschetto on beach made available by the ANMI. The first official races were organised in Flying Junior and 470 classes. In 1981 the club organised its first Italian championship, Europe class, at the Colonia Marina CIF, which for many years continued to host the Group's winter activities including the Optimist World Championship 1982. This occasion represented the real turning point for the association, only five years old at the time. Meanwhile the club moved to its present location at Pratoranieri. At the new premises the organisation of important events and the development of the sailing school went hand in hand. During the 1990s the racing team achieved acclaimed success, with victories in the Optimist class at World, European and Italian Championships. The club continued to organise Italian championships, national and international regattas, including the Italian Olympic Class Championship and the European Dart Championship in 1999. The Vela Group has always been involved in youth class activities, organising regattas for Optimist, Laser, Laser 2 and Equipe, culminating with the Coppa Primavela and Italian Youth Singles Championships. International success was also achieved in catamaran and offshore classes. The club celebrated its 40th anniversary and received numerous sports awards including the CONI merit diploma in 1984, the CONI bronze plaque in 1990, and the Bronze Star for Sporting Merit in 2008. In 2019 the club hosted the RS Feva World Championship. Athletes, members and staff continue to maintain the club's fine reputation.
Information
Youth section
Active youth section with Optimist and other youth class regattas, summer courses from age 6, and national and international youth championships
Boating license training
Available: 1
Regatta calendar
1st Laser Zonal Championship Race
1st National Master Laser Classes Race
3rd National Fireball Race 2020 with National Contender Race
Gulf Championship
4th Optimist Italia Trophy Kinder Joy of Moving
Italian Team Optimist Championship
Gulf Championship - 2nd Social Championship Race
Palio Velico Follonichese
Italian Olympic Classes Championship
Italian Women's 420 Championship with November Race