Azzurra. Image copyright Jesus Renedo.
by Guiliano Luzzatto
The Audi MedCup began today with a Practice Race which Azzurra won by approximately five lengths over second-placed Synergy.
Both boats chose not to cross the finish line in accordance with the belief that whoever wins the practice race does not go on to perform so well in the races valid for the circuit. The nominal winner was therefore third-placed Bribon. "Magnificent, a good start is half the battle" commented Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, which Azzurra represents. Vice Commodore Alessandro Rinaldi was on board with the team today as a guest.
After a difficult start Azzurra immediately regained ground thanks to Francesco Bruni's excellent tactical intuition and rounded the first windward mark in second place. By the end of the leeward leg she had moved into the lead ahead of Synergy and maintained her position to the end of the race.
"We are really pleased," commented skipper Guillermo Parada, "we hadn't had a chance to compete against the others in light winds like today's 8-10 knots yet. Obviously we are happy with today's result but above all we are confident we can race well this week."
Bruni commented on the technical aspects: "A great rapport, the boat sails really well, especially in these conditions which in theory shouldn't be ideal for Azzurra. I am very happy with the sails we have developed and with the fine tuning of the mast and the boat in general, from tomorrow it's the moment of truth and the step forward in terms of speed is noticeable. Today's start was the worst so far but we showed we can react to a difficult situation and we manoeuvred perfectly without losing concentration."
AUDI AZZURRA SAILING TEAM
Guillermo Parada - Skipper and Helmsman
Francesco Bruni - Tactician
Vasco Vascotto - Strategist
Bruno Zirilli - Navigator
Paul Westlake - Mainsail
Mariano Caputo - Bowman
Pedro Rossi - Mid Bow
Juan Pablo Cadario - Pitman
Maciel Cichetti - Trimmer
Mariano Parada - Trimmer
Simon Fry - Trimmer
Gabriel Marino - Grinder
Alejandro Colla - Grinder
Boat Captain: Pedro Rossi
Owner: Alberto Roemmers
Azzurra
Audi MedCup
