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XII° Roberto Trombini
Challenge Trophy Match Race 2006

PRESS RELEASE 9TH JUNE 2006

PRESS RELEASE 12th January 2006
PRESS RELEASE 4th April 2006
PRESS RELEASE 5th June 2006
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PRESS RELEASE 8th June 2006

Second day of the XII Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy
Only 3 flights due to very light wind Chris Dickson is still in the lead after 11 flights
Tomorrow the remaining round robins etc.

Second day of the races at Marina di Ravenna for the XII edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy ISAF Grade 1 world event.
Due to very light wind (5 knots in the morning which progressively decreased down to 2 knots and then nothing, only 3 flights were possible i.e. three of 4 and 5 matches each for a total of 13 challenges.

Even with little wind there were some spectacular moments especially at the start. New Zealander Chris Dickson (BMW Oracle Racing) won both matches beating the great Bjorn Hansen from Sweden and Frenchman Damien Iehl leaving him still in the lead. At second place Italian Paolo Cian (Team Viano Mercedes) who won twice against Arbuzov (Russian) and the young Dane Wibroe.

Not a good day however for Frenchman Mathieu Richard who was a favourite at the start; he suffered a double defeat against Wibroe and Angsell. Local yachtsman Matteo Simoncelli (Team IT Way) lost the only match contended which was against Lars Nordbjaerg.

Saturday 10th the races will start at 9 in the morning to complete the round robins (3 more flights) and start the quarter and semi-finals, conditions permitting. Finals are scheduled for Sunday 11th followed by prize giving.

Round Robin results after 11 flights

1. Chris Dickson (NZ) 8-1
2. Paolo Cian (IT) 7-1
3. Lars Nordbjaerg (DK) 6-3
4. Mathieu Richard (FR) 5-3
5. Bjorn Hansen (SE) 5-3
6. Matteo Simoncelli (IT) 4-4
7. Damien Iehl (FR) 4-5
8. Martin Angsell (SE) 4-5
9. Peter Wibroe (DK) 4-5
10. Simon Minoprio (NZ) 3-6
11. Tino Ellegast (DE) 1-8
12. Andrew Arbuzov (RU) 1-8

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).

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.