COMPETITORS

2007 Competitors

Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) (ISAF ranking n. 1)
Number 1 in world ranking at the close of the season. The last updating of the world ranking lists shows Ian has replaced Frenchman Sebastian Col at the top of the ranking list, it is the first time that an English skipper takes the lead. Williams joined the top 10 in 2003 and by October 2005 he had climbed to be among the top 5. He won two grade 1 events in six months and came second at the World Match Racing Tour in 2006 by winning at the King Edward VII Gold Cup in Bermuda. In Marina di Ravenna he will be one of the firm favourites.

Paolo CIAN (ITA) (n.3)
He needs no introduction, this tough Neapolitan helm is by now the Italian referent for world level match racing. During that last few seasons he has never dropped below the top 10 and in the last two years he has been on the podium at third place and, for some months, at second place in ISAF ranking. His expertise in one to one racing has been noted also at the America’s Cup; at Valencia he has been among those responsible for the success of the surprising Shosholoza. Cian is often among the grand skippers at the Trombini Trophy (winner in 2005, finalist in 2006), this year “Paolino” is again among the favourites.

Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) (5)
Eugeniy is the youngest skipper to be high up the match race ranking list.
His career started with the optimist class but in 1993 he quickly passed directly to match racing. In 2002 he started on the international circuit and has to date taken part in the most important regattas including European and World events. His aim is to continue to climb to the top ranking positions, win the World Match Racing Championships and take part in an America’s Cup event to give prestige to the Russian scene of International sailing. He is coming to Marina di Ravenna to show he is worthy of such a project.

Damien IEHL (FRA) (8)
This Frenchman, with a pretty good career as a youngster in the 420 class is today
a point of reference for match racing in France together with Mathieu Richard and Sebastien Col. Damien is a talented helm and this is evident from his progress in ranking list to reach the top 10; despite a two year period of inactivity he has returned to race at great levels literally storming world ranking. He is renowned also for sailing with an excellent crew. He seldom deludes his fans.
During the 32nd America's Cup, he was a trimmer for China Team.

Eric MONNIN (SUI) (12)
Thirty years old, from Switzerland he is a type to keep an eye on, reliable and engrossed he is dedicated to match racing. Eric’s sailing career started on Lake Immensee in Switzerland and developed between monotype, 470 and match race. From 2003 to date Eric has taken part in at least 40 match race events; in 2007 4 regattas and the same number of good rankings including the ZugMatch 21 on home waters. He is number 12 in the world and rapidly rising; he rose to over 30th place only during the second half of 2006. Monnin is worth following closely.

Matteo SIMONCELLI (ITA) (14)
Tough and determined this skipper from Ravenna has for several years been at the top of the ranking list and is second highest of the Italians. He is perseveringly dedicated to match racing he is however able to reconcile his sporting activities with working life at Itway Sailing Team by whom he is sponsored. He races with an aggressive, resolute spirit and his team is strong and race well together. Being from the area he knows the Adriatic like the back of his hand. His appearances at the Trombini Trophy usually leave a marked impression.

Ian Richard AINSLIE (RSA) (16)
38 years old, the best helm in the history of South African yachting, undisputed talent; Ian has had a long and rewarding career in the Olympic Finn class and has competed at no less than three Olympics – Barcellona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. Ainslie has won two world titles in monotype J22 class. He was first helm of Shosholoza Team in the Acts of the present America’s Cup and then took the vital role of strategist when Paolo Cian took the helm. Ian started on the match race circuit in 1995 and in the last two years has climbed the ranking ladder thanks to brilliant results. It will be interesting to see the “derby” against his team mate Paolo Cian at the 2007 Trombini Challenge Trophy Races.

James SPITHILL (AU) (21)
Helm of Luna Rossa Challenge 2007, for Italian enthusiasts he has become one of the most esteemed yachtsmen, famous for his starts and ability in the most challenging match races. Spithill is returning to Marina di Ravenna where he has already twice taken first place at the Trombini Challenge Trophy event. James grew up in Pittwater in a house reachable only by boat, in 1999 he became the youngest skipper in the history of the America’s Cup with Young Austalia, and in 2002 he became helm of OneWorld Challenge to the surprise of America’s Cup fans. Talented, complete, reserved but agreeable it is a pleasure to watch him; this year he could reach his third, record, win.

Jacopo PASINI (ITA) (36)
Young talented yachtsman of Italian match racing. After gaining experience with the optimist and 420 classes he has definitely decided to go for match racing, encouraged by Matteo Simoncelli with whom he trains diligently near home. Methodical and reflective both on shore and at sea, he has risen in world ranking thanks to a victory in the National Under 19’s Championships and two great second positions a Riva del Garda where he was able to finally compete against the big names on the ranking list. Jacopo is this years outsider at the Trombini Trophy, he will have the chance to reveal his great qualities.

Simon MINOPRIO (NZL) (52)
At 25 years of age this New Zealander of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is one of the numerous “kiwi” experts specialized in match racing. In 2005 we remember a very hard fought semi-final against Dean Barker (America’s Cup helmsman) gaining 4th place in the national championships. Following years of success in the “Youth” regattas he created his own team participating in the major events on the international circuit. Simon came 10th at the 2006 Trombini Trophy and hopes to better his position this year.

Philippe PRESTI (FRA) (92)
Philippe was well known in the last few weeks as the sparring partner of James Spithill however his background and victories come from many Olympic classes from laser to Finn, from Soling to Star, he competed at the Olympic Games in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). Philippe is considered to be a versatile and extremely valid yachtsman. As well as success in the Olympic class he took third place at the World Match Racing Championship in 2004. Philippe was helm for the Le Defi Areva team at the 2003 America’s Cup but subsequently signed up with Team Luna Rossa Challenge, his ranking position has fallen due to the involvement with the America’s Cup; normally he ranks in the top 10. At Marina di Ravenna we will doubtless see his worth.

Bertrand PACE’ (FRA) (121)
Another champion skipper and helm for whom ranking position can take second place. The Frenchman is known as a “tough guy” but moreover as a competent match racer over the years; he has become coach of Team New Zealand. He started when he was 12 years old and went immediately to the top positions winning an ISAF Junior World title. Pace’ has won also 6 Tour de France à la Voile, the Admiral’s Cup in 1991, World Match Race Champion in 1994, 2nd in 1998 and 1999. He has already raced at the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy in 2000 and would really like to display his undoubted talent.
At the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia, he was an afterguard for the BMW Oracle Racing.