Onorato sums up 2005

The Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team boss brings us up to date with their Cup campaign

As the 2005 season ends so Vincenzo Onorato, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Chairman shares his thoughts on his team, their experiences, and their progress.

On this first season: “It was a very intense, fast-paced season… because we were one of the last teams to sign up... It has been an extremely important experience: we have learned how to move and how to improve, and we have also discovered our strengths.”

On the results: “Our results were a bit inconsistent because we had a good start in June in Valencia, and then from there, things were not as good as expected… It’s true the racing conditions didn’t help us: we began with medium light winds and then, in Malmo and Trapani, definitely more engaging winds. It was too much for our two old Stars & Stripes boats - especially the gear which suffered from the exertion - by now the boats are at the end of their days, tired and stressed. The breakages played an important role…”

On his crew: “We have had more confirmations than changes. But this is part of the growth of every team: the crews and their roles evolve…and must evolve based on each one’s first-hand experiences…. For sure, I have seen our crew getting stronger, and our maneuvering improve. At Trapani, our crew work wasn’t second to anyone else.”

On the team’s chemistry: “I want our new AC boat to be able to inspire the same chemistry that allowed Vasco to win around the world… The grit and determination are there… and this determination to succeed continues to grow. It’s tangible. All of the guys feel it.”

On work and passion: “By now the Cup is perceived as work, work, work…but it must be a work done of passion, with pleasure and satisfaction… Only like this can you win.”

On match-racing: “Match racing is where we are focusing more, now: we started working on this in October in Valencia and will continue until the launch of our new boat. The new regatta format of four short legs, as we all know, is played and decided in the pre-start. It is here that we must improve. But the fundamentals - in terms of talented people - are there: between Flavio [Favini], Hamish [Pepper], Cameron [Dunn] and Jes [Gram Hansen]… Vasco [Vascotto] and I won’t have any trouble to come up with a very strong crew.”

On the shore team: “This is the area where we have had the greatest changes. I’m referring in particular to Tom Weaver, who from November is no longer part of the team. His and our needs were different. It was his personal choice and I respect it. I would like to emphasise that we still keep in touch and he remains a friend. We are all grateful to Tom, because thanks to him, the team was able to get off the ground... The America’s Cup is an extremely stressing commitment-without a doubt!”

On the technical side: “I would say that everything is well setup: we have a lot of faith in our new AC boat, already in construction, and in Harry Dunning’s ideas, but we also have a lot of input from the crew on mast, sails, and gear. It’s a big exchange of ideas…very very creative!”

Over the next months: “Initially there will be a lot of work on match racing. Then, in March and April we will test the new AC boat against ITA 77, which meanwhile will be upgraded. Then we will decide which one to race in the LV Acts in May and June.”

On the LV Acts: “They are very useful. The races are pure adrenaline…a genuine competition in which you compete seriously, and push to the maximum. When you train, you have few breakages…in racing you stress and break everything, learning where you must work harder.”

On the America’s Cup, in general: “I think that overall the outcome is more than positive. Certainly, after Trapani, the image of the America’s Cup drew an incredible interest among the people in Italy… We received a welcome which we hadn’t expected….and were always surrounded by such warm and passionate people. I believe that the ACM’s promotional work is excellent. However I still think that the event is too expensive and must be reviewed under other economic terms…and I’ll keep on repeating this until something changes.”

On Valencia and Naples: “My dream and motivation is to bring the Cup to Naples. I know that they say I say this all the time, but it’s really how I feel. It’s enough to see how Valencia is changing month by month under the economic propulsion of this event to understand how it could be beneficial to Naples. My city is living under the clouds of a sluggish economy, these days… ”