The IX Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy has started
After 9 flights of the first round robin Australian James Spithill is
in the lead
Second Position for Cian, also Simoncelli doing well
The first of the races, sunny and with 8-10 knots wind at Marina di Ravenna
for the initial day of the ninth edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge
Trophy, first Italian match race grade ISAF grade 1. A day of intense
racing, 9 races of the first round robin for a total of 45 races. At
the end of the day the Australian champion James Spithill is in the
lead, the only team to win all the matches. Close behind at second
Italian Paolo Cian who lost only one match.
High in the provisional classification also Matteo Simoncelli from Ravenna
competing for 3rd place with expert Ed Baird (USA) and Jes Gram-Hansen
(DK). Another Italian, (Tommaso Chieffi, is competing with Englishmen
Law and Williams, Lindberg (FIN) and Heiner (NL) to be in the first eight
places at the end of the round robins and to go ahead to the quarter
finals.
Aggressive start for Paolo Cian and James Spithill with a line up of
5 victories to nil before the direct match of the seventh flight won
by Spithill. Simoncelli, also, positive at the start beating Chris Law
(GBR) recent winner of the Swedish event in Marstrand where he beat The
world’s number one, Jablonski, in the finals. In the second flight
there was a derby between Tommaso Chieffi and Paolo Cian in which the
ex helmsman of Mascalzone Latino won against the tactician of Oracle
BMW sailing with Michele Ivaldi and Max Sirena, both ex Luna Rossa. Chieffi
then recovered winning the next two matches against Williams (GBR) and
Appleton (NZ). Simoncelli’s winning streak was interrupted in the
other Italian derby against Paolo Cian. Dane Jes Gram-Hansen, number
2 in the world, seems to be coming out of the down period that marked
the beginning of the season. The disillusion of the day, apart from Chris
Law (GBR) and Cameron Appleton (NZ) was Luc Pillot in last position and
with no victories.
The round robins will be completed tomorrow Friday 11 July followed
by the start of the quarter finals. By the end of the day we should know
the 4 semi finalists.
Provisional Classification after 9 flights of the first Round Robin
1. James Spithill (AUS) 7-0
2. Paolo Cian (ITA) 6-1
3. Jes Gram-Hansen (DK) 6-1
4. Matteo Simoncelli (ITA) 6-1
5. Ed Baird (USA) 6-2
6. Staffan Lindberg (FIN) 4-3
7. Tommaso Chieffi (ITA) 2-5
8. Chris Law (GBR) 2-6
9. Ian Williams (GBR) 2-6
10. Roy Heiner (NL) 2-6
11. Cameron Appleton (NZ) 1-6
12. Luc Pillot (FR) 0-7
Yesterday evening at the opening ceremony of the Trophy Challenge numerous
sponsors of the event were present; here is a complete list of the sponsors:
Gruppo Trombini, ABO, Project-Sernavimar, Gruppo Setramar, SERS srl,
Maie spa,Ben Match, Vianello Assicurazioni, Viscontea Coface, Mario Boccacini,
SOA Adriatica, Bravo Tankers, Italmec, Profer System, ItWay, Uberti Bona
Costruzioni, Marinara Porto Turistico, PAL, TVM, Siderugica Ravennate,
Compania Portuale Ravenna, Autorità Portuale di Ravenna, CTS Santarcangelo,
Naviravenna, Emiliana Motors, Carisbo, Banca Popolare di Ravenna, San
Paolo IMI, Cassa di Risparmio di Ravenna, Associazione Industriali della
Provincia di Ravenna, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ravenna.
Official Suppliers: San Pellegrino Sailing, Nastro Azzurro, Salumi Negrini,
Edisontel, CCS Cover & Credit Service, Ciclat Trasporti, MDR Marina
di Ravenna, Lions International.
The races organized by Progetto Vela in collaboration with Circolo Velico
Ravennate and International Yacht Club Marinara start with the first
round robins. The first on the water will be Paolo Cian Neapolitan helmsman
ex Mascalzone Latino against ace yachtsman Dutchman Roy Heiner, his first
time at the Trombini races.
The other flights will be as follows: Ian Williams (GBR) against Ed Baird
(USA); Cameron Appleton (NZ) against Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Luc Pillot
(FR) against James Spithill (AUS) Chris Law (GBR)against Matteo Simoncelli
(ITA); in bye Jes Gram-Hansen (DK) and Tommaso Chieffi (ITA).
The high championship level leaves the forecast of results open for the
qualifying positions and for the semi finals and finals. Ex helmsman
of One World James Spithill is considered a specialist of match racing
but the veteran Brit. Chris Law comes fresh from an important success
in Marstrand, Sweden where he beat the world’s number 1 in the
finals. Important to watch also American Ed Baird and Dane Jes Gram-Hansen
who seemed out of form at the beginning of the season but is still n.
2 in the world ranking. Also interesting the race between New Zealander
Cameron Appleton vice helmsman of Dean Barker for Team New Zealand and
Frenchman Luc Pillot Luc Pillot ex Le Defi in the America’s Cup.
Of the Italians attention is on Paolo Cian who has just regained 9th
place in world ranking that qualifies him for the World Match racing
event on Lake Garda at the end of August, not to forget expert champion
Tommaso Chieffi.
The first day of round robins includes a match between Cian and Chieffi
during the second flight.
The races will start at 1200 hrs within the internal harbour of Marina
di Ravenna. As usual the public can watch the races from the grandstand.
Information: Progetto Vela , Via Gamba 3, 48100
Ravenna- Tel 0039 0544 465556, -Fax 0039 0544 463157
Communications: Fabio Colivicchi 0039 335 5730 361 - fabcol@tin.it
