International line-up for Sardinia Cup

Eight team line-up features boats from the UK and USA

The line-up has been announced for the Audi-sponsored ISAF Offshore Team World Championship, also known as the Sardinia Cup, hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Starting on 28 June, the event runs through the weekend and this year features two boat teams comprising a Farr 40 and a Melges 32 with entries from all over the world.

One favourite is Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad who is paired with last year's Melges 32 World Champion, Pieter Taselaar on Bliksem. Porto Cervo is familiar ground for both crews.

There is a strong Italian contingent: 2010 Audi Melges 32 Sailing Series circuit leader, Luca Lalli on B.LinSailing.com, joins forces with Giovanni Maspero’s Joe Fly, Lanfranco Cirillo on Fantastica partners with Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone. In addition Miami Grand Prix Champion, Jean-Francois Cruette’s Teasing Machine has joined with Wolfgang Schaefer’s Struntje Light.

Meanwhile representing the UK is a new face in the Melges 32 in former Farr 40 owner Tony Buckingham on Ngoni. It will be Buckingham's debut peformance in the class alongside Andrea Canavesio’s Mangusta Risk.

Full Entry List (Melges 32 Owner-Tactician/Farr 40)

Switzerland: Carlo Pesenti - Giancarlo Simeoli, i.nova/Martin Strobel, Vanitas Cube
UK: Mark Lamy - Kevin Sproul, Ngoni/Andrea Canavesio, Mangusta Risk
Germany: Jean-Francois Cruette - Christian Ponthieu, Teasing Machine/Wolfgang Schaefer, Struntje Light
Italy 1: Lanfranco Cirillo - Michele Paoletti, Fantastica/Massimo Mezzaroma, Nerone
Italy 2: Luca Lalli - Lorenzo Bressani, B.LinSailing.com/Giovanni Maspero, Joe Fly
USA: Pieter Taselaar - Jeremy Wilmot, Bliksem/Jim Richardson, Barking Mad
Monaco: Guido Miani - Riccardo Simoneschi, Giacomel Audi/Alex Roepers, Plenty
Malta: Mauro Mocchegiani - Matteo Ivaldi, Rush Diletta/Alberto Rossi, Enfant Terrible