Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts X4.3

America's Cup- Iker Martinez splits from Italian Challenger

by Richard Gladwell on 23 Jan 2013
Departed Luna Rossa team member, and former Telefonica skipper Iker Martinez is a double Olympic medalist and triple World Champion, with two previous circumnavigations. Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

In a tightly worded statement on their website, Luna Rossa Challenge have announced the departure of one of their helmsmen, Iker Martinez from the team.

The statement reads in full:

'We decided together to close our working relationship. The entire Team has enormous respect for Iker, he is a great sailor, which is why he was selected to enter the Luna Rossa Team ' Max Sirena declared.

We thank Iker very much for making a great contribution to the Team with his talent and his technical and tactical skills in this sport. We wish him all the best for his future challenges.


Martinez (ESP), a double Olympic Medalist - Gold in 2004 and Silver in 2008 in the 49er skiff class, joined the Italian Challenge soon after the conclusion of the 2012 Olympic Regatta where he represented Spain, again, and from skippering Telefonica in the 2011/2012 Volvo Ocean Race. He joined another Olympic medalist in the 49er class, Chris Draper as a helmsman on the Italian Challenger.

First major assignment for Martinez was to take the helm of one of Luna Rossa's two AC45's for the last round of the America's Cup World Series, where his crew finished 11th in the 11 boat fleet.

Martinez commented at the time: 'I am obviously very disappointed by the result; I know that if this were my standard of performance I would not be here today! Needless to say I was hoping to do better and it could be that my sailing was affected by an 'indigestion' of many nautical miles and by the huge demands of races such as have been the Volvo and the Olympic Games. After this 'under-performance' however I am more determined than ever to reach my habitual level of competitiveness as quickly as possible on this type of boat.'

Chris Draper who placed ninth in the same series, is expected to assume the duties of principal helmsman on Luna Rossa's only AC72, with team boss, Max Sirena as backup.

On August 21, 2012, Luna Rossa announced that five new crew had joined the team. These included Martinez's long-time crew in the 49er, Xabi Fernandez. There has been no published announcement on Xabi's ongoing role with the team.
Boat Books Australia FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignVaikobi 2024 December

Related Articles

CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year.
Posted today at 9:55 am
Port Phillip Double-Handed Perpetual Cup
66 sailors on 33 boats take part in one of sailing's more demanding formats Melbourne was at her autumnal best on Sunday the 18th of May delivering ideal conditions for the 2025 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's (ORCV) Double-Handed Yacht Race around Port Phillip.
Posted today at 8:45 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 1
Racing in Women's World Match Racing Tour Event 2 underway Perfect conditions graced the opening day of the 2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA, Stage 2 of the 2025 Women's World Match Racing Tour following the tour season opener in San Francisco last week.
Posted today at 5:40 am
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 2
It can be easy to win! For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles Win the start, grab the first shift, consolidate and extend! The winning formula is easy, and those who got ahead took full advantage of an easy course once they got to the front. For everyone else, it was a day of tense battles.
Posted today at 5:14 am
In Memoriam - Darren 'Baz' Williams
The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the passing of Darren Williams The yachting industry was shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of identity Darren (Baz) Williams at the age of 59 after a year-long battle with cancer. In many ways Baz was a very private person and flew under the radar for many...
Posted on 4 Jun
Torrid 29er Nationals test 30 crews at Manly
Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech dominated the Polished Concrete 29er Nationals. Long-time sailing buddies Will Mason and Will Leech teamed up to dominate the 2025 Polished Concrete NZ 29er Nationals at Manly SC, in challenging conditions, over Kings Birthday weekend.
Posted on 4 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 2
American Magic Quantum Racing extend their lead after challenging light winds day Patience, concentration, risk management and perhaps a highly developed sixth sense of the subtle changes in the light breezes, were among the key assets shared by the crews which did best today, the second racing day.
Posted on 4 Jun
Loro Piana Giraglia 2025 preview
139 yachts are set to line up on the starting line Starting tomorrow, Thursday, 5 June, registration opens for the 72nd edition of the Loro Piana Giraglia, the oldest offshore regatta in the Mediterranean.
Posted on 4 Jun
Wild Thing eyeing Sydney to Auckland record
The new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped in May Grant Wharington is getting Wild Thing 100 revved up - the new mast to suit the 100 footer was stepped and new sails by Kiwi, Rodney Keenan, added in May - so the timing is right to have a crack at the record in the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race.
Posted on 4 Jun
Armstrong Foils Demo Days return for 2025
Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros. Armstrong Foils is proud to announce the return of Armstrong Demo Days for 2025. Test the latest gear, get expert advice, and ride with the pros.
Posted on 4 Jun