Image copyright Azzurra/Jesus Renedo.
by Guiliano Luzzatto
After four days of intense racing, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, flying the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda burgee, took victory in the TP52 Class in the Mapfre PalmaVela 2011. The event took place in the bay of Palma from 21st to 24th April and served as a warm-up for the team before the Audi MedCup circuit begins in Cascais, Portugal on 16th May.
Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, skippered and helmed by Guillermo Parada with Francesco Bruni on tactics and strategist Vasco Vascotto, took five bullets over nine races to claim overall victory ahead of Niklas Zennstrom's Ran in second place and Jose Cusi's Bribon in third.
Image copyright Azzurra/Jesus Renedo.
"Winning on the first outing is always a good sign," commented skipper Guillermo Parada, "the crew is consistent and the boat, which was just launched a few days ago, hasn't shown any problems. We are still getting to know her and working on fine-tuning but winning while you are learning is always rewarding! I would like to share our victory with the owner Alberto Roemmers, with Audi and with the YCCS who have entrusted us with bringing the winning Azzurra name to international regatta courses once again."
Image copyright Azzurra/Jesus Renedo.
Tactician Vasco Vascotto underlined the need to stay focused before the TP52's official christening ceremony, scheduled for 16th May, and the first event of the Audi MedCup circuit: "We need to work over the next few weeks in order to be ready for the regatta in Portugal. The boat responds well but this week it was the crew who really shone, the victory belongs to the guys on board and the shore team who made sure that the boat was ready before the others."
Image copyright Azzurra/Jesus Renedo.
Owner Alberto Roemmers commented: "I am very pleased, the boat has shown great potential since it was launched and has been faster than last year's boat which was also racing at the PalmaVela. She is competitive in brisk winds and soon we will see how she handles lighter air. My compliments go to the crew who raced perfectly."
Audi Azzurra Sailing Team will meet close competitor Ran once again, as well as top teams from Europe and the USA, at the first event of the Audi MedCup circuit which will be held in Cascais from 16th to 22nd May 2011.
Image copyright Azzurra/Jesus Renedo.
Final results Mapfre PalmaVela - TP52 Class:
1) Audi Azzurra Sailing Team pts. 11
2) Ran pts. 18
3) Bribon pts. 28
4) Quantum pts. 29
5) Gladiator pts. 30
AUDI AZZURRA SAILING TEAM
Crew
Guillermo Parada - Skipper/Helmsman
Francesco Bruni - Tactician
Vasco Vascotto - Strategist
Mariano Caputo - Bowman
Pedro Rossi - Mid Bowman
Juan Pablo Cadario - Pitman
Maciel Cichetti - Trimmer
Simon Fry - Trimmer
Mariano Parada - Trimmer
Alejandro Colla - Grinder
Paul Westlake - Mainsail trimmer
Bruno Zirilli - Navigatore
Alberto Roemmers - Owner
Audi Azzurra Sailing Team
