Sardinia Rolex Cup

The newly appointed 'Offshore ISAF Team World Championship' gets underway tomorrow

The Sardinia Rolex Cup, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), is set to begin on Monday, June 21 off the coast of Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Seven teams representing six countries will race during the week-long regatta ending on Saturday, June 26. For the first time, the Sardinia Rolex Cup will be classified as the 'Offshore ISAF Team World Championship'. Each national team will participate with three different types of yachts: an IMS rated boat, a Swan 45 and a Farr 40. The US team is represented by Bambakou, skippered by John Coumantaros, Mascalzone Latino, sailed by Vincenzo Onorato and Talisman, with skipper Terry Hutchinson. The other countries represented include Argentina, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

"With the talent represented by these seven teams, the competition on the water will be very competitive," said Commodore Gianfranco Alberini of the YCCS. "The weather is cooperating by providing excellent racing conditions. Combined with a week-long schedule of social events, the regatta will, no doubt, prove to be a first class event. We are pleased to celebrate our twenty-year partnership with Rolex onboard the Italian Navy tall ship, Amerigo Vespucci tomorrow evening where we will honor the winners from the last two decades of Rolex-sponsored international yacht racing."

"Porto Cervo is a terrific venue for team racing," said Terry Hutchinson, skipper of the American Talisman. "The U.S. team is very strong with accomplished sailors. We look forward to a good race, strong winds and excellent competition."

Coumantaros of Bambakou noted, "The regatta's team rules will provide a unique racing environment this year. Many of us are used to racing on teams of one design boats. With daily results taken from the two highest placing yachts within their respective classes, race strategy will take on a higher importance."

Winds are predicted to be between 12 to 18 knots tomorrow and between 8 to 12 knots on Tuesday and Wednesday with Thursday scheduled to be a lay day. Courses include both windward leeward races and a long distance race on Wednesday.

Teams:

YACHT NAME LOA BEAM DRAFT CAT TEAM
1 ORLANDA 16 3,5 3,5 IMS ITA ROSSA
2 DSK 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 ITA ROSSA
3 TWT 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 ITA ROSSA

1 WORLD CARGO QQ8 13,9 3,6 2,9 IMS ITA AZZURRA
2 JEROBOAM 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 ITA AZZURRA
3 TWINS 2 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 ITA AZZURRA

1 TALISMAN 17 4 3,5 IMS USA
2 MASCALZONE LATINO 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 USA
3 BAMBAKOU 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 USA

1 BRIBON TELEFONICA MOVISTAR 13,4 3,5 2,9 IMS SPAIN
2 TELEFONICA MOVISTAR 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 SPAIN
3 MERIDIANA 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 SPAIN

1 SAILING PLANET 17,40 4,3 3,65 IMS SVIZZERA
2 PAPASTILLA 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 SVIZZERA
3 MADINA 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 SVIZZERA

1 MEMO MEMULINI 12,50 3,20 2,50 IMS ARGENTINA
2 CUOR DI LEONE 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 ARGENTINA
3 SEVEN 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 ARGENTINA

1 SEA WONDER 14,00 3,80 2,85 IMS GERMANY
2 OPUS ONE 13,83 3,91 2,8 SWAN 45 GERMANY
3 STRUNTJE LIGHT 12,41 4,03 2,5 FARR 40 GERMANY