They are 12 among the best skippers of match
racing taking part in the Trombini Trophy Challenge 2005 at Marina
di Ravenna, the first Match race event in Italy to have ISAF 1
grading. This eleventh edition will take place from 29 th June
to 3 rd July. After significant technical coverage the Trombini
Trophy match race this year will take place shortly after the
preliminaries (4 & 5) of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia
finishing 26th June. Not by chance teams from Italian syndicates
taking part in the next America’s Cup(Valencia 2007)will
be present: +39 with Roberto Ferrarese, Luna Rossa with James
Spithill, Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team with Flavio Favini.
As well as the participation of number one favourite,
Australian James Spithill, new helmsman for the Luna Rossa Challenge,
one of the main attraction this year will be the first match of
the season between all the Italian specialists of match racing.
Paolo Cian (for years the top Italian in world ranking) and Matteo
Simoncelli
(who alternates with him), both in the top 15 of international
ranking will be side to side with Flavio Favini (helmsman of Mascalzone
Latino Capitalia Team) and Roberto Ferrarese (+39).
The extraordinary list of contestants is completed
by: British champion Ben Ainslie considered one of the most talented
yachtsman thanks to having won three Olympic medals (two gold
and one silver) in two different classes (Laser and Finn). He
has recently been signed up by New Zealand syndicate - Emirates
Team New Zealand; another Englishman, Ian William number 6 in
world; Dane Sten Mohr (world number 1 1999-2000) who returns to
the circuit after 4 years absence; Spaniard Santiago Lopez Vazquez,
one of the world’s best helmsmen in Olympic acrobatic 49er
and gives enormous support to the new Spanish syndicate El Reto;
and Bjorn Hansen, Swedish, number sixteen in the world.
The Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy is organized,
as usual, by Progetto Vela, presided over by Andrea Trombini,
and with the collaboration of Circolo Velico Ravennate and the
support of a substantial number of sponsors and partners.
Event programme:
Wednesday 29th June 1900 presentation of the contestants, the
12 skippers will then be taken in 12 veteran cars to the Magazzini
dello Zolfo Almagià for diner with the crews, sponsors
and guests.
The races start on Thursday 30th June with the first Round Robins
to classify which teams will go on to the quarter semi and finals.
In the evening crews judges and organizers will dine at the Porticino
restaurant, Marina di Ravenna.
Friday 1st July – Round Robins and dinner at Mokambo beach
restaurant. Saturday 2nd July – start of the finals followed
by gala dinner at Matilda night club including a debate on “enterprise
and sport, the secret of being a winner” in collaboration
with the Industrialists’ Association of Rimini, Cesena and
Forli.
Sunday 3rd July – grand finals, the traditional fleet race
and prize giving for the Trombini Challenge Trophy 2005 with cocktails
by the waterfront.
Following the tradition that has made the Trombini
Trophy Challenge a success for 11 years the matches will be held
within the inner harbour of the port. The public can enjoy the
matches from the grandstand erected on the wide pier at the entrance
of the port.. There will be a running commentary by speakers and
experts that will attract fans and tourists. A highly successful
idea of Progetto vela and Andrea Trombini that many have tried
to imitate over the course of the years. The event will be covered
by TV teams.
Here is the list of skippers enrolled for the Roberto Trombini
Challenge Trophy
2005 (position in international ranking list at the time of entry
in brackets)
James Spithill (AU 3)
Ian Williams (GB 6)
Paolo Cian (IT 11)
Bjorn Hansen (SWE 16)
Sebastien Col (FR 14)
Matteo Simoncelli (IT 15)
Flavio Favini (IT 271)
Santiago Lopez Vazquez (ES)
Ben Ainslie (GB 200)
Roberto Ferrarese (IT 62)
Luc Pillot (FR 19)
Sten Mohr (DK)
