PRESS RELEASE 12 TH July 2003

· Next to the last day of the IX Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy
· At the end of the quarter finals: Spithill, Cian, Gram-Hansen and Roy Heiner in the semi finals
· At the start of the semi finals : Spithill-Cian 2-0; Heiner-Gram Hansen 1-1

Next to the last day of the exciting matches for the 9° Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy at Marina di Ravenna. The wind remained constant at about 10 knots. The quarter finals are over with surprising results; the four semi finalists of the Trombini Trophy are James Spithill, Paolo Cian, Jes Gram-Hansen and Roy Heiner.
13th July the finish of the semi finals and the finals. Staffan Lindberg, Matteo Simoncelli, Ian Williams and Ed Baird are out of the race.

It’s been a day of great racing. Cian won against Matteo Simoncelli per 3-0, and James Spithill won against Staffan Lindberg with the same score, there was an authentic naval battle between Roy Heiner (NL) and Ed Baird (USA) and between Jes Gram-Hansen (DK) and Ian Williams (GBR) in both cases there were deciding matches and in the end Gram-Hansen won against Williams and Heiner surprisingly beat Baird 3-2.

The most spectacular race was the next to the last of the quarter finals between Williams and Gram-Hansen. Williams, who was ahead 2-1, was in the lead for the whole race but on the last lap Gram-Hansen recovered more than 3 lengths. The final attack was during the last few metres and close to the grandstand (today there were about a thousand spectators watching the races) Williams made a double infringement and received a penalty. The deciding match following the score of 2-2 was particularly unfortunate for Ian Williams, the spinnaker halyard broke and he was forced to retire. Gram Hansen sportingly “apologized” to his adversary and completed the course alone gaining a score of 3-2 and putting him in the semi finals.

The semi finals started in the afternoon. James spithill won the first two flights against Paolo Cian: two identical matches, minimum distance for the whole match.
In the other semi final Jes Gram Hansen won the first race against Heiner but the Dutchman equaled straight away winning the second match. The score is now 1-1. The end of the semi finals will be on Sunday 13th (best of the 5 races : the first to win 3 will pass to the finals) and the finals for first and third places. There will be the traditional fleet race with the competing skippers and VIP guests before prize giving in the hospitality village.

For the first time the Trombini Trophy has a web-stream service with direct transmission of the races www.regatta.tv.

QUARTER FINALS

James Spithill (AUS) d. Staffan Lindberg (FIN) 3-0

Paolo Cian (ITA) d. Matteo Simoncelli (ITA) 3-0

Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. Ian Williams (GBR) 3-2

Roy Heiner (NED) d. Ed Baird (USA) 3-2

SEMIFINALS

James Spithill (AUS) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 1-0
James Spithill (AUS) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 2-0

Jes Gram_Hansen (DEN) d. Roy Heiner (NED) 1-0
Roy Heiner (NED) d. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) 1-1

Classification from 5° to 12° places before the semi finals and finals

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Ed Baird (USA)
6. Matteo Simoncelli (ITA)
7. Ian Williams (GBR)
8. Staffan Lindberg (FIN)
9. Cameron Appleton (NZL)
10. Luc Pillot (FRA)
11. Tommaso Chieffi (ITA)
12. Chris Law (GBR)

Complete list of sponsors
Gruppo Trombini; ABO Project-Sernavimar; Gruppo Setramar; SERS srl; Maie spa; Ben Match; Vianello Assicurazioni; Viscontea Coface; Mario Boccacini; SOA Adriatica; Bravo Tankers; Instalmec; Profer system; ItWay; Uberti Bona Costruzioni; Marinara Porto Turistico; PAL; TVM; Siderurgica Ravennate; Compagnia 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. Fornitori Ufficiali: San Pellegrino Sailing; Nastro Azzurro; Salumi Negrini; Edisontel; CCS Cover & Credit Service; Ciclat Trasporti; MDR Marina di Ravenna; Lions International.