Nespresso Cup returns

Wallys to do battle in Porto Fino in May

Nestlé Nespresso SA and Wally have confirmed that the second running of the Nespresso Cup, the regatta exclusively for the Wally Class, will take place in Portofino in May 2011. The announcement was made together with Luca Bassani Antivari, President and Founder of Wally, and Nespresso Cup Ambassador and America's Cup skipper Francesco de Angelis at the Yacht Club Italiano.

The event will occur over 6-8 May in Portofino. At present 11 Wallys are on the provisional entry list including Esense (44 m/143ft) and defending champions Magic Carpet 2 (29.00m/95ft), winners of the 2010 Nespresso Cup who last year beat J One (24.00m/77ft) on the final day, a duel likely to occur again this year.

The first Nespresso Cup in 2010 brought together some of sailing’s most respected world-class sailors and leading Wally owners including Marcel van Triest, Tom Whidden, Francois Brenac and Tony Rey.

"The spirit of the Wally Class is speed and enjoyment, perfectly embodied by last year’s Nespresso Cup,” said Luca Bassani, Wally President and Founder. “The first exclusively Wally regatta was the perfect blend of tight competition, very close starts, challenging weather, stylish organisation. Our passionate owners are enthusiastically coming back to compete again for the Ultimate Cup.”

During this three-day event, Nespresso is delighted to welcome, as Ambassadors of the 2011 Nespresso Cup Loïck Peyron and Francesco de Angelis.

"I am honoured and happy to be back as Ambassador of the 2011 Nespresso Cup,” said Francesco de Angelis. “It is great to see this as an established event for the Wally class, after last year’s debut. We know that Portofino is a beautiful venue, so I look forward to race on these fabulous and fast yachts again. I expect the racing to be challenging and fun for everyone involved, on the water and on land."

Nespresso and Wally are delighted to also welcome two new sailing Ambassadors to the 2011 Nespresso Cup - Jochen Schümann and Sam Davies: ”I’m looking forward to an exciting Nespresso Cup 2011. Nespresso and Wally are the perfect match as for me they both connect tradition, high technology and style, together creating a new unique experience,” commented Jochen Schümann. “Wally sailing is great fun: racing on the most stylish maxi yachts in very close competition is always a tough challenge and unbeatable experience. Added to this is the very special location of Portofino which brings another dimension to the Nespresso Cup.”

After a winter of training in the harsh North Atlantic conditions at Port La Foret in Brittany, Sam Davies is also thrilled to be attending the Nespresso Cup: “I am really excited to finally get to sail on the Wally Yachts at the Nespresso Cup. I have longingly watched these beautiful yachts sail next to me for years - now but this will be my first opportunity to step on board and experience the luxury, power and class. It will be great to meet the crews of these boats, and the engineering side of me can’t wait to see the intricate design and mechanics. It is always a pleasure to sail with top level crews on amazing boats, and I am sure that I will also learn a lot from the experience – things that I can apply to my solo offshore racing.”

The Nespresso Cup will be hosted by the Yacht Club Italiano, which is also responsible for the race management of the event.

Provisional entry list:
Boat name / length meters
Dark Shadow 30.45
Esense 43.70
Il Sovereign 24.00
Indio 30.50
Inti 24.00
J One 24.00
Kenora 32.72
Magic Carpet2 29.00
Open Season 29.00
Ryokan 2 24.00
Y3K 30.50