Big or Small, Alfa Romeo Just Keeps on Winning

Alfa Romeo III competing at the Copa Del Rey. Supplied image.

by Edward Rowe

Big or small, Alfa Romeo just keeps on winning with Kiwi yachtsman Neville Crichton at the helm, with the new small 71 foot Mini Maxi ‘Alfa Romeo’ winning its two first ever races just weeks after the big 100 foot maxi ‘Alfa Romeo’ won the TransPac race en route to the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race in December.

Competing in the 2009 Copa del Rey in Majorca, Neville Crichton and the new ‘Alfa Romeo’ fulfilled expectations by winning the first two races (3 August 2009) in the 10 race/six day event and, like her big brother, has established itself as the yacht to beat

The start of the first race for the IRC class was postponed by 1 hour and 20 minutes, until the sea breeze built in the Bravo sailing area, the most central of the three courses for the windward-leeward races.


Alfa Romeo III competing at the Copa Del Rey. Supplied image.

Alfa Romeo took no risks and started to the left-hand side of the area, and was able to round the first top mark at the head of the group, maintaining this position till the end of the race. Bellamente was second and Container was third. A 17 knot wind, known locally as the Embat Wind, provided a fantastic show of Mini Maxis on the water during the second race, which was much tighter. Alfa Romeo was first again, followed by Bellamente just 17 seconds behind, and Container, again, was third. Overall Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo leads the event, with Hap Fauth's American Bellamente second in the overall classification, and Udo Schuetz's Container remains third, confirming the leadership of the Mini Maxis in the group. CAM with H.R.H The Prince of Asturias Don Felipe de Borbón as helmsman is fourth.

Last year's winner Aifos with Jaime Rodríguez Toubes at the helm could only manage an eighth, demonstrating Alfa Romeo’s dominance of the event.


Alfa Romeo III competing at the Copa Del Rey. Supplied image.

“With the new Alfa Romeo just in the water weeks before the Copa del Rey, we are treating this event as a training event and an opportunity to get to know the new yacht,” said Neville Crichton, Skipper and owner of Alfa Romeo, after the races. “So to score two wins straight out of the box is a very welcome result and points to good results for this yacht in coming events. It also means that the third generation of yachts top wear the Alfa Romeo name can also lay claim to the titles of proven winner and the yacht to beat!”

ALFA ROMEO III RESULTS

Skipper: Neville Crichton
August 2009 Copa del Rey 2 x Line Honours


Alfa Romeo III competing at the Copa Del Rey. Supplied image.

ALFA ROMEO II RESULTS

Skipper: Neville Crichton

July 2009 TransPac Line Honours, Race Record

Oct 2008 Barcolana Race Line Honours
Sept 2008 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 4 x Line Honours, 2 x Corrected time wins
June 2008 Boat International SuperYacht Regatta 3 x Line Honours, class & event wins
June 2008 Rolex Giraglia Race Line Honours, new race record
June 2008 Rolex Giraglia Cup 3 x Line Honours, 2 x Handicap win
May 2008 Rolex Capri Race Week Maxi Class Event Win, 2 x Line Honours
May 2008 Pirelli Cup Maxi Class Event Win, 4 x Line Honours

Oct 2007 Barcolana Line Honours, race record
Sept 2007 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 5 x Line Hons, 1 x Handicap
August 2007 Rolex Fastnet Retired
August 2007 RYS Trophy, Scandia Race Week Line Honours, Class win
June 2007 Superyacht Cup 1 Line Honours Win
June 2007 Rolex Giraglia Cup Offshore Race Line Honours
June 2007 Rolex Giraglia Cup Regatta 2 x Line Honours to take event
April 2007 Hublot Palmavela Regatta 5 x Line Honours to take event

October 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race – offshore race Line Honours
October 2006 Barcolana Race Line Honours
Sept 2006 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 4 Line Honours, event win
June 2006 Rolex Giraglia Cup Offshore Race Line Honours
June 2006 Rolex Giraglia Cup Regatta 2 Line Honours, 1 Handicap win
April 2006 Hublot Palmavela 4 x Line Honours wins

Dec 2005 Rolex Sydney to Hobart 2nd Overall
Dec 2005 Rolex Trophy Regatta Win
Dec 2005 CYCA Big Boat Trophy Line Honours
Dec 2005 Savills Short Ocean Championship Line Honours/Handicap win
Nov 2005 Cabbage Tree Island Race Line Honours
August 2005 South Molle/Daydream Islands Race Line Honours/Handicap win
August 2005 Edward Island Race Line Honours
August 2005 Lindeman Island Race Line Honours/Handicap win

Alfa Romeo