News

Cascais, Portugal, September 15th, 2015. Tomorrow will see the start of the final event in the 52 Super Series 2015 with twelve high profile teams racing. Azzurra is currently the series leader by a comfortable margin, but knows that she has to keep an eye on her competitors and stay alert on this event’s difficult regatta courses.

The Portuguese town of Cascais is ready for the grand finale of the 52 Super Series 2015, set to begin tomorrow in fresh breezes between 10 and 20 knots that are predicted to last at least until Friday. The event will end on Sunday September 20th and will be followed by the traditional end-of-the-season celebration. The fleet is made up of twelve yachts from eight different nations which confirms the popularity of this Class that continues to attract new competitors and consolidates the presence of boats that have previously raced in the Series. In Cascais there are four TP52s competing that come from the US, proof that the 52 Super Series is popular well beyond Europe. Azzurra has a comfortable lead in the overall results and is currently 35 points ahead of the second placed team, Quantum Racing. Sled is currently in third place followed by Bronenosec, Azzurra’s sistership that counts many Italian sailors on her team.

Today a practice race was held in winds between 15 and 19 knots and typical long ocean waves. Azzurra did not finish first on purpose because it is taboo to win a practice race. Today the fleet tried out a new kind of windward/leeward course. The windward mark had an offset on the rhumb line. That way the boats had to hoist their gennakers quickly but potentially dangerous gybe sets were prevented between boats approaching the mark.

Tomorrow the starting signal is scheduled for 13 hours local time, 14 hours Italian time. Racing can be followed via Virtual Eye on the site www.azzurra.it and updates in real time will be posted from the regatta course on Facebook and Twitter. Starting Friday the 18th there will also be video streaming thanks to the organizers of the 52 Super Series.

Quotes of the day

Guillermo Parada, skipper-helm: "We are ready and prepared. Cascais is a demanding venue with potentially strong breeze and big seas. Overall, as a team we like those conditions but need to make sure we get to the last day with no breakages in order to finish the season properly.”

Vasco Vascotto, tactician: “We are fairly serene but concentrated. This final event in the Series is going to be tough because of the conditions here in Cascais. We are aware of our potential and that we are currently in first place because we have worked well as a team. The Azzurra team has always worked well, in synergy in every way and that’s the secret to our success.”

Bruno Zirilli, navigator: “Here we are racing in the ocean in conditions that are much different from the Med. The waves are different and the currents are different and they can make a big difference. Even the two regatta courses that have been laid out, one by the coast and one further out, are going to offer very different conditions.”

Teams present at the 52 Super Series Cascais Cup
Alegre, Azzurra, Bronenosec Gazprom, Gladiator, Paprec Recyclage, Platoon, Provezza, Quantum, Sled, Spookie, Vesper, Xio Hurakan
Azzurra 1 low

2015 Calendar 52 SUPER SERIES
18 to 23 May: Valencia (Spain)
8 to 13 June: Porto Cervo (Italy, Sardinia)
13 to 18 July: Puerto Portals (Spain, Mallorca)
3 to 8 August: Palma de Mallorca (Spain)
15 to 20 September: Cascais (Portugal)

AZZURRA
Pablo and Alberto Roemmers - Owners
Guillermo Parada - Skipper, Helm
Vasco Vascotto - Tactician
Bruno Zirilli - Navigator
Giovanni Cassinari - Mainsail
Mariano Caputo - Bowman
Juan Pablo Marcos - Midbow
David Vera - Pitman
Maciel Cichetti - Trimmer
Grant Loretz - Trimmer
Mariano Parada - Trimmer
Gabriel Marino - Grinder
Alejandro Colla – Grinder
Nicola Pilastro- Grinder
Boat Captain: Pedro Rossi
Coach: Guillermo Baquerizas
Coach: Marco Capitani

Contact:
Giuliano Luzzatto
Media Relations
Tel. +39 348 5966160
www.azzurra.it