PRESS RELEASE 13 TH July 2003

· Jes Gram-Hansen is winner of the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy 2003
· In the finals he beat Australian James Spithill 3-2
· Fourth place for Paolo Cian, Roy Heiner won the “under finals” (2-1)
· The traditional fleet race closed the event : 2004 will be the tenth edition

Jes Gram-Hansen (Denmark), number 3 in the world, has won the IX Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy at Marina di Ravenna. He beat Australian James Spithill (3-2) in an exciting and spectacular final. Roy Heiner takes third place beating Paolo Cian 2-1. The finals of the event, organized by Progetto Vela with Circolo Velico Ravennate and Marinara Yacht Club was seen by about 2000 spectators.

It has probably been the most dramatic and thrilling edition of the Trombini Trophy. It was a perfect day for the finals with constant wind of about 8-10 knots. The two semi finals were concluded : Spithill beat Cian for the third time and went through to the finals, Roy Heiner and Jes Gram-Hansen raced a deciding match after scoring 2-2, Gram-Hansen (Danish) won and so went on to the finals against Spithill leaving Cian and Heiner to race for third place. All the matches of the last day of the Trombini Trophy have been extraordinarily well balanced hard fought with the boats very close, few but decisive interventions of the umpires, many spectacular manoeuvres rounding the buoys “neck to neck”.

The final for third place started with success for Dutchman Roy Heiner who beat Cian by half a length after a magnificent double pass between the two contestants. The Neapolitan countered by winning the second match and equalizing the score. In the third and decisive race Heiner took advantage of a favourable wind and stayed in the lead for the whole race. The Dutchman (whose team includes Italian Claudio Celon) reached third place for the Trombini Trophy with a score of 2-1.

Sensational final between Gram-Hansen and Spithill respectively numbers 3 and 4 in the world. The Dane, Jes Gram-Hansen, started well winning the first two matches that were very similar and with minimum detachment. James Spithill took the scene with two come back races gaining first the point of the 1-2 and then the equalizer 2-2. The last and decisive match was raced well after 6pm and was decisive for the choice of tacking on the first upwind lap which slightly favoured Gram-Hansen. On the downwind lap the Dane did not wait for the Australian’s attack, he decided to turn taking advantage of sailing left of the stern side. Notwithstanding Spithill’s efforts Gram-Hansen kept control and won with a margin of two lengths making him winner of the Trombini Trophy 2003.
The traditional fleet race in the port canal and the prize giving closed a memorable edition Trombini Trophy , the first match race Grado 1 ISAF in Italy. Next year will be the decennial edition.

Final Classification of the IX Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy 2003
1. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN)
2. James Spithill (AUS)
3. Roy Heiner (NED)
4. Paolo Cian (ITA)
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)

SEMI FINALS
James Spithill (AUS) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 1-0
James Spithill (AUS) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 2-0
James Spithill (AUS) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 3-0

Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. Roy Heiner (NED) 1-0
Roy Heiner (NED) d. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) 1-1
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. Roy Heiner (NED) 2-1
Roy Heiner (NED) d. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) 2-2
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. Roy Heiner (NED) 3-2

3RD + 4TH PLACE FINALS
Roy Heiner (NED) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 1-0
Paolo Cian (ITA) d. Roy Heiner (NED) 1-1
Roy Heiner (NED) d. Paolo Cian (ITA) 2-1

GRAND FINALS
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. James Spithill (AUS) 1-0
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. James Spithill (AUS) 2-0
James Spithill (AUS) d. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) 2-1
James Spithill (AUS) d. Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) 2-2
Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN) d. James Spithill (AUS) 3-2

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.