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XII° Roberto Trombini
Challenge Trophy Match Race 2006

PRESS RELEASE 12th January 2006
PRESS RELEASE 4th April 2006
PRESS RELEASE 5th June 2006
PRESS RELEASE 7th June 2006

Welcome evening of the XII Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy at Marina di Ravenna. Surprise tribute to the legendary ‘Azzurra 1983’ with Cino Ricci and crew. 500 guests for dinner in the marquee on the pier followed by a fireworks display; the races start 8th Paolo Cian (Italian) against Chris Dickson (New Zealand)

1st Italian ISAF Grade 1 world event starting 8th June in Marina di Ravenna with the finals Sunday 11th June. After the traditional veteran car rally with the 12 skippers on board and the draw for boat assignments for the first round robin there was a gala dinner for 500 guests followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

The president and principle organizer of Progetto Andrea Trombini had a surprise in store, the skipper and team of the first Italian entry in the America’s Cup Azzurra 1983; Cino Ricci with part of his fantastic crew that reached the semi-finals at Newport : Fabio Apollonio, Dondo Ballanti, Giorgio Cingolani, Andrea De Marinis, Massimo Devoto, Gian Devoto, Daniele Gabrielli, Andrea Giorgetti, Mac Lugaresi, Niki Mosca, Nicolò Reggio, Stefano Roberti, Franco Zamorani.

“These yachtsmen of the Azzurra 1983 introduced the America’s Cup to the Italians starting a new era in sailing” – said Andrea Trombini as he presented a special prize to Cino Ricci. The desire for challenge and to look ahead are the concepts which inspire the work behind the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy. Many of the “boys” of Azzurra will be watching the first Round Robins.

The 2006 edition of the Trombini Match Race will be very interesting starting with the America’s Cup type challenge between Paolo Cian (Team Viano Mercedes), number 5 in world ranking and the best Italian match racer, he has been helm of the South African syndicate Shosholosa since May and the New Zealand champion Chris Dickson, skipper of BMW Oracle (San Francisco), Alinghi’s first challenger in his first appearance at the Italian event.
Among the other favourites Mathieu Richard (France) in the top ten for the past three years, the powerful Bjorn Hansen (Sweden), the other Italian Matteo Simoncelli (number 11 in world ranking) Lars Nordbjaerg (Denmark).
The great outsiders are Peter Wibroe (Danish), Andrew Arbuzov (Russian), Martin Angsell (Swedish), Simon Minoprio (New Zealand), Tino Ellegast (Danish) and Damien Iehl (French).

MORE INFO
The Round Robins for qualification will be on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th June followed by the quarter and semi-finals Saturday 10th with finals and fleet race on Sunday 11th followed by prize giving.

THE ROBERTO TROMBINI CHALLENGE TROPHY
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), Peter Holmberg from the Virgin Islands (one of the Alinghi helms ) and Mario Celon winner of the first edition. 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.