Teams from four continents on GC32 Racing Tour 2017

by GC32 Racing Tour on 4 May 2017 Four continents will be represented among the 11 foiling one design catamarans teams competing on Lake Garda at next week’s GC32 Riva Cup, the opening event of the 2017 GC32 Racing Tour. While Europeans form the majority, there will once again be Jason Carroll’s Team Argo from the USA and Naofumi Kamei’s Mamma Aiuto! from Japan. New for 2017 will be the circuit’s first team from South America.

Código Rojo Racing Team is the campaign of keen Argentinian catamaran sailor, Federico Ferioli. Ferioli comes from a strong sailing background and speed is in his blood: Both he and his father Jorge have competed in motor racing, while Ferioli Senior, who is also an active member of Código Rojo Racing Team, was a naval officer on the Argentine sail training ship Libertad in 1966 when it won the Boston Teapot Trophy, setting the speed record for tall ships that year.

Recently Federico Ferioli has been racing catamarans and last year finished fifth at the F18 World Championship in Buenos Aires. He has also competed on singlehanded A-Class and foiling Nacra 20s, with former Sunfish World Champion, Lucas González Smith, now Team Manager and trimmer/tactician of the Código Rojo Racing Team.

“This was a natural next step for us,” explains Ferioli. “The sensation and the feeling of the boat shouldn’t be unfamiliar. The major challenge is the different size of boat with different power and different speed. We will also have to work and coordinate as a crew.”

Their crew is mostly South American. Other Argentinians include boat captain and experienced big boat sailor Jordan Rivas; the young 23-year-old ‘muscle’, F18 sailor Juan Cruz Benitez, plus Nicolás Chernobilsky, a yacht designer and Star sailor based in Denmark. From Guatemala is Nacra 17 sailor Jason Hess, who finished third in last year’s F18 Worlds, while joining them for the GC32 Riva Cup is Portugal’s Renato Conde, usually with the SAP Extreme Sailing Team. “He will join us because we need someone with experience in the GC32,” says Ferioli.

In the build-up they are also being supported by South America’s most experienced GC32 sailor, Diego Stefani from Uruguay, previously with ARMIN STROM Sailing Team, now with Mamma Aiuto!

Código Rojo Racing Team first sailed its new GC32 this week. Ferioli acknowledges that it is a big challenge coming from Argentina: “It is a major project. There are a lot of things you have to take care of to put this whole thing together, especially from scratch. And everything is more difficult for us because we are so far away. But we are up to the challenge!”

Código Rojo Racing Team will be the fourth team competing for this year’s GC32 Racing Tour Owner-Driver Championship.

A second new team for the 2017 GC32 Racing Tour will be announced next week.

New partners have also been signed up for the 2017 GC32 Racing Tour.

The GC32 Racing Tour has entered into a three year partnership with German lifejacket and sailing clothing manufacturer Marinepool. CEO Robert Stark says: “After a successful six year co-operation with the Extreme Sailing Series, Marinepool has taken the decision to change over to the GC32 Racing Tour. The challenge is to give a new style/image to the existing format. We would like to support and provide GC32 Racing Tour owners and teams with top garments and well as developing new merchandise for them.

“The Marinepool GC32 Racing Tour collection to be introduced at the GC32 Riva Cup will convey the speed, advanced technology and thrill of the GC32 Racing Tour, blending function and fashion into a unique style.”

Marinepool’s technical garments include shirts, trousers and shorts made of highly breathable, water repellent, super flexible fabrics offering unmatched comfort. Hi-tech sailing jackets are made from three-layer waterproof, breathable fabrics to provide ultimate protection from the elements. The collection will include an accessory range including matching bags and caps, etc.

ARMIN STROM Sailing Team partnered with Marinepool two years ago and Flavio Marazzi’s crew has been wearing their gear ever since. “We’re pleased to welcome Marinepool to the GC32 Racing Tour family,” said Marazzi. “Their gear is great. It is very suitable for this new generation of boats. Every position on board has different needs but Marinepool’s range includes everything you might want.”

For the third year, Forward WIP (Water Impact Protection) will be Technical Safety Partner of the GC32 Racing Tour. Foiling catamarans such as GC32s offer unprecedented speed and acceleration but with this comes increased potential for injury. Using technology derived from other high speed sports, such as skiing and cycling, Forward WIP has developed a new generation of protective gear, tailored especially for ultra-high sailing yachts.

“Foiling at 30 knots is thrilling, but you want to have the best equipment for protection,” says Rémi Finiel, MD of Forward WIP. On the GC32 Racing Tour, Forward WIP gear is used by many of the teams and it is also provided to on-board guests.

2017 GC32 Racing Tour
1) 11-14 May - GC32 Riva Cup / Riva del Garda, Italy
2) 28 June-1 July - GC32 Villasimius Cup / Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
3) 2-5 August - 36 Copa del Rey / Palma de Mallorca, Spain
4) 13-16 September - GC32 Orezza Corsica Cup, Calvi, Corsica
5) 12-15 October - Marseille One Design / Marseille, France