News


XII° Roberto Trombini
Challenge Trophy Match Race 2006

PRESS RELEASE 12th January 2006

PRESS RELEASE 4th April 2006

Yachting at its most spectacular, champions at the XII Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, the best of world match racing at Marina di Ravenna from 7th to 11th June.

The yachting show of match racing “played” by the top world specialists returns to Italy to the scene which started 11 years ago. The XII edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, first ISAF grade 1 match race in Italy, will take place from 7th to 11th June.

The 2006 retains its success formula; identical boats (Tom 28, 9 metres designed for the event by Giovanni Ceccarelli from Ravenna) lined up along the quay, matches within the inner harbour with the finishing line just a few metres from grandstand on the pier, side attractions and great participation by the whole of Marina di Ravenna.

Paolo Cian, top Italian 5th in world match race ranking and winner of the 2005 edition in which he beat James Spithill (present helmsman of Luna Rossa) and Swede Bjorn Hansen, will be defending champion. Among the challengers will be Frenchman Mathieu Richard (n. 6 in world ranking) and again Hansen (n. 7). Challenge within challenge with the other Italian Matteo Simoncelli from Ravenna (n.12), Martin Angsell Swedish and the young up and coming New Zealander Simon Minoprio will also be taking part.

Registration of contenders for the 2006 challenge trophy is still underway and awaiting confirmation of skippers from the next America’s Cup and the three Italian syndicates: Luna Rossa, Mascalzone Latino Capitalia and +39 (all present at the 2005 edition).

The event is organization by Progetto Vela, (President Andrea Trombini) in collaboration with Circolo Velico Ravennate, and the support of numerous sponsors united in the memory of the well known and enthusiastic yachtsman from Ravenna - Roberto Trombini -
who has inspired many youngsters to take up this sport.

PHOTOS ATTACHED: PAOLO CIAN MATCH RACING AND FLAVIO FAVINI IN THE VETERAN CAR RALLY.

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The Roberto Trombini Trophy Challenge is organized, as always, by Progetto Vela (President Andrea Trombini) in collaboration with Circolo Velico and the support of numerous partners and sponsors. Classification, updating and photographs on the official web site: www.matchracetrombini.com

Progetto Vela - ASD - Via Sergio Cavina 5 48100 Ravenna Tel 0544 465556,
fax 0544 464408
Communication - Fabio Colivicchi +39 335 5730 361
fabcol@tin.it

NOTICE FOR THE PRESS
Journalists interested in this event please send an email requesting authorization, indicating intended dates in Marina di Ravenna during the Match Race.
For information please call +39 335 5730 361

America’s Cup,
the birthof Match Racing - a bit of history

It all started in 1851 around the Isle of Wight; it was a race open to all nations but only one American yacht, named simply America, challenged 16 English boats for a solid silver cup weighing over 4 kg known as the “One Hundred Guinea Cup” . America won and from that day it has been known as the “America’s Cup”. The Americans were reigning champions until 1983 when the cup finally changed hands, won by an Australian team with the Australia II; in that same year Italy joined the challenge for the first time with the unforgettable Azzurra. Il Moro di Venezia was the first Italian challenger ever to reach the finals racing against America 3 in 1992. Over the centuries the rules have been modified, the boats have become highly technical but the team spirit, the will to win and the challenge remain the same.