This news article doesn't mention the 40
knot winds, but apparently strong winds are why they hold the
race this time of year.
Full article link.
https://www.italy24news.com/sports/news/128162.html
Rescue and assistance interventions this year have been numerous, due to the demanding sea and
wind conditions, but the very limited number of competitors has avoided the major dangers typical of the
regatta, which are always linked to crowding. of the starting line and the consequent collisions.
Barcolana 53, a capsized
boat: the sailors await
rescue
The most serious
accident occurred in the center of the
race course, near the first mark; the conductor of a 10-meter Slovenian sailing
boat, with six people on board, apparently following a
collision with another competitor, was no longer able to steer his unit, which began to take on
water and to sink. Nearby was the CP 310 patrol boat, which reached the
accident site recovering the six survivors when their boat was still half-sunk; then the underwater nucleus of the Fire Brigade intervened, who managed to position a buoy connected to the sunken unit, to allow for a possible subsequent recovery and to issue a precise urgent notice to sailors.
A seventh castaway, who fell from a boat shortly after departure, was recovered by the Green Dolphin who was passing near the accident site. (Here the video)