News


XII° Roberto Trombini
Challenge Trophy Match Race 2006

PRESS RELEASE 12th January 2006
PRESS RELEASE 4th April 2006

From 8th to 11th June in Marina di Ravenna the XII Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, the return of one of the well known events in world match racing: among the 12 super skippers the favourites: Paolo Cian (Shosholosa) challenges Chris Dickson (BMW Oracle).

Everything is ready for the start of the XII edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, the 1st Italian ISAF Grade 1 world event starting 7th June in Marina di Ravenna with the presentation of the 12 participating skippers among which are some of the helms of International yachting and the America’s Cup.

The 2006 edition of the Trombini Match Race will feature the Italian – New Zealand challenge including Paolo Cian number 5 in world ranking and the best Italian match racer, he has recently joined the South African team Shosholosa against the New Zealand champion Chris Dickson, skipper of BMW Oracle (San Francisco), Alinghi’s first challenger. We are all waiting to see Chris Dickson’s first appearance at the Italian event; he is well known in Olympic classes and for numerous editions of the America’s Cup since 1987.

Among the other great skippers taking part this year we will see Mathieu Richard (France) in the top ten for the past three years, the powerful Bjorn Hansen (Sweden), the other Italian Matteo Simoncelli (number 15 in world ranking) and the great Lars Nordbjaerg (Denmark). The other helms are Peter Wibroe (Danish), Andrew Arbuzov (Russian), Martin Angsell (Swedish), Simon Minoprio (New Zealand), Tino Ellegast (Danish) and Damien Iehl (French).

The programme includes the qualifying Round Robins on Thursady 8th and Friday 9th June followed by the quarter and semi-finals Saturday 10th June concluding with the finals on Sunday 11th June plus the fleet race and prize giving.

The 2006 edition retains its success formula; conceived by Progetto vela, whose President is Andrea Trombini, in collaboration with Circolo Velico Ravennate and sustained by numerous sponsors in memory of Roberto Trombini well known yachtsmen from Ravenna. The identical boats (Tom 28, 9 metres were designed for the event by Giovanni Ceccarelli from Ravenna)
The matches take place within the inner harbour at Marina di Ravenna and a grandstand to accommodate over 500 spectators has been erected on the pier; there will be a running commentary during the races and interviews with the skippers on the pier followed by pleasant evenings together with the crews, umpires and guests.

LIST OF WINNERS
Many big names in world yachting have joined in the Trombini challenges over the years; the winners lists shows two victories for James Spithill (helm of Luna Rossa), Magnus Holmberg from Sweden (Victory Challenge syndicate) and Peter Holmberg from the Virgin Islands (one of the Alinghi helms ). Other winners include Chris Law (GB), Sten Mohr (DK), Jes Gram-Hansen (DK) (new starting helm of Mascalzone Latino) and last years winner Paolo Cian (IT).

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.