XIII° Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy
Match Race 2007
PRESS RELEASE 22nd May 2007
The best of world match racing at the XIII Roberto Trombini Challenge
Trophy
At Marina di Ravenna from 11th - 15th July the first event after
the America’s Cup
Marina di Ravenna is preparing to host this great sailing event
just a few days following the finals of the XXXII America’s
Cup in Valencia. The Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy Match race,
the first ISAF grade 1 match race organized in Italy, will be held
from 11th to 15th July. As always it is among the top events on
the International calendar thanks to the high level of organization
by Progetto Vela, 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
.
The XIII edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy which,
as already mentioned, will follow a few days after the finals of
the America’s Cup 2007 at Valencia proclaims to be top level.
Leading match racing specialists, high on the ranking list, will
be participating to race for the delight of the public who can follow
the races from the pier within the inner harbour at the port of
Marina di Ravenna. Spectators can enjoy the running commentary of
the races seen from the grandstand. As always the boats used for
the races are TOM 28 monotype, designed specifically for this event
by Giovanni Ceccarelli from Ravenna (designer of Mascalzone Latino
2003 and +39 Challenge 2007).
The list of skippers participating has yet to be announced, many
are still in Valencia for the Louis Vuitton Cup.
It will be interesting to see if this year one of the previous winners
will be able to qualify to hold the Challenge Trophy which goes
to the skipper who wins the challenge three times. To date three
skippers have won the Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy twice: Australian
James Spithill in 2002 and 2004(helm-hero of Luna Rossa presently
at the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup); Peter Holmberg from the
US Virgin Islands in 1997 and 1998 one of the two Alinghi helms;
and Magnus Holmberg from Sweden in 2000 and 2001 (helm of Victory
Challenge who came close to the semi-finals at Valencia. It is very
probable that they will be at Marina di Ravenna for the XIII Roberto
Trombini Match Race to go after the Trophy. The winners list indicates
the high level of this event: last years winner ‘kiwi’
Chris Dickson (BMW Oracle Racing), preceded in 2005 by Neapolitan
Paolo Cian (Shosholoza), in 2003 Dane Jes Gram-Hansen the pre-start
helm of Mascalzone Latino Capitalia who delighted spectators a few
weeks ago.
Progetto Vela, presided over by Andrea Trombini, is underway in
the organization of the event which, as always, offers an opportunity
for worldwide yachting enthusiasts to meet up. The skippers will
take part in a veteran car rally, there will be a fireworks display
to entertain the many illustrious guests, and the grand final; prize
giving by the water’s edge, open to the public.
Updates and pictures on the official website: 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
Fabio.colivicchi@velavela.org
THE ROBERTO TROMBINI CHALLENGE TROPHY
The 2007 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.
WINNERS’ LIST
Without exception, all the big names in world yachting have taken
part in the Trombini challenges over the years. The winners’
list includes James Spithill (actual helm of Luna Rossa Challenge),
Magnus Holmberg – Swedish _ (team leader and helm of Victory
Challenge) and Peter Holmberg from the U.S. Virgin Islands (one
of the Alinghi helms), all with two victories.
The other winners are Mario Celon, who triumphed in the first edition,
Chris Law (GB), Danes Sten Mohr and Jes Gram-Hansen (start helm
of the Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team), Paolo Cian (helm of Team
Shosholoza), up to the 2006 edition won by Chris Dickson, skipper
and helm of BMW Oracle.
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
ISAF –
INTERNATIONAL SAILING FEDERATION (100 years in 2007)
ISAF is the world sailing federation, founded in Paris in 1907 known
as the International Yacht Racing Union (IYRU) in 1996 the IYRU
changed its name to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
The organization is composed of the various national sailing federations,
the main aim of IYRU was to develop a uniform set of rules and measurement
standards for racing sailors to allow boats of different weight
and length to race against each other. Before 1870 the development
of such rules was left to the individual yacht clubs who were also
guarantors for the application of said rules. The increase in the
number of regattas between boats from different clubs caused the
downfall of this system thus a central coordination was required.
At the time of establishment in 1907 the IYRU comprised only 12
countries:
Austria-Hungary, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain,
Italy, Norway, Holland and Belgium, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Representatives from the North American Yacht Racing Union were
admitted in 1929. In 1960 a totally universal code of racing rules
was agreed and implemented, these rules are valid today (with four-yearly
modifications required by the world sailing federation committee).
From 1906 to 1946 a chairman was elected from time to time to coordinate
the annual meetings. In 1946 Sir Ralph Gore was elected the first
President and since then the ISAF has had five presidents: Sir Peter
Scott, English (1955-1969), Beppe Croce, Italian (1969-1986), Peter
Tallberg, Finnish (1986-1994), Paul Henderson, Canadian (1994-2004
and Goran Petersson, Swedish the actual president, elected in November
2004. The vice presidents include Italian Nucci Novi Ceppellini.
ISAF is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee
as the governing authority for sailing world-wide. ISAF, with headquarters
in UK, currently consists of over 114 member nations engaged in
promoting sailing among youngsters worldwide, training Judges and
Umpires and, in particular, management of Olympic Class regattas.
There are currently over 80 ISAF recognized Yacht classes from the
smallest Optimist Dinghy to the largest Maxi one-design. Furthermore
ISAF has exemplified a series of international events and classifications
ranging from the Olympic Class to the World Sailing Games and the
Youth Sailing World Championships, World Match Race Olympic Sailing
Squad, World Ranking List.
FIV – FEDERAZIONE
ITALIANA VELA (80 years in 2007)
The Federazione Italiana Vela presides over the entire
sailing activities in Italy. Established in Genoa on 13th April
1927 under the name “Regia Federazione Italiana Vela”
FIV celebrated its 80th anniversary on Friday 13th April 2007 during
an evening at the “Salone d’Onore” in Rome, CONI
presented the sailing Oscars.
Currently FIV has about 85,000 members but after a series of promotional
campaigns the number is expected to increase to over 100,000. FIV
has 630 affiliated associations and 450 sailing schools teaching
the basics of sailing to over 35,000, mainly young, and very young,
pupils. Among the institutional obligations are the organization
of competitions at all levels (there are over 80 recognized sailing
classes), marginal organization (15 area committees), team management
of national teams at major world sailing events and the Youth Sailing
Olympics. Preparations for the Olympics is one of the FIV’s
main activities, which as part of CONI, prepare the best teams to
compete for medals every four years. To this end the technical managers
start by developing youngsters in the classes of provincial interest.
Italy is among the few countries in the world that presents a complete
team in all the classes both at the Olympic Games and ISAF World
Championships and at the important ISAF Youth World Championships.
The ISAF Youth World Championship trophy, which is awarded to the
best national youth sailing team, was won by the Italian team in
Great Britain last year. There is powerful promotional activity
of the sport, especially towards youngsters ; from 2007 FIV, in
collaboration with certain ministries, has launched the programme
VelAscuola to introduce sailing in Italian schools all over Italy.
The first president of RFIV was Luigi Amedeo di Savoia Duca degli
Abruzzi from 1927 to 1933. From 1933 to 1941 he was succeeded by
Baron Alberto Fassini Camossi, and from 1941 to 1945 Captain Antonio
N. Cosulich. In November 1946 the Unione delle Società Veliche
Italiane was established in Florence presided over until 1956 by
marquis Paolo Pallavicino. From 1957 until 1964 Beppe Croce was
president. On 5th December 1964 the USVI became the Federazione
Italiana Vela, member of CONI and IYRU. Croce remained president
until 1980, from 1981 to 1988 Carlo Rolandi was president and he
is currently honorary president. Since 1989 Sergio Gaibisso has
been president of FIV.
