Azzurra ready for 52 Super Series battle in Key West

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 19 Jan 2013 The Azzurra team is in Key West where the 52 Super Series, won last year by the yacht of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, gets underway on January 20th.

The winners never rest on their laurels and immediately after the victory in Valencia during the final stage of the 52 Super Series 2012 – the top professional TP52 circuit and heir to the successful MedCup – the yacht was shipped to the USA in view of the demanding 2013 season. The 52 Super Series has grown in the 2013 edition with the addition of two US stages in its beginning: Key West in January and Miami in March, that also counts as World Championship. The fleet will then return to the Mediterranean for an additional four regattas, with the conclusion in Porto Cervo, at the Week of the Straits, a regatta with long tradition, hosted by Azzurra's 'home', the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

'The YCCS – states Commodore Riccardo Bonadeo – is proud of the results achieved by Azzurra last year but also aware of the responsibility that lies with the defense of the title in the 2013 season, which also marks the 30th anniversary from the debut in Newport of the first Italian challenge at the America's Cup. Thanking Audi Italia for having accompanied Azzurra in the last two seasons in the TP52 class, my 'Fair Winds!' goes to our club member and owner Alberto Roemmers who, together with his international crew, holds high our burgee.'

From Key West, where the crew is currently training, skipper Guillermo Parada and tactician Vasco Vascotto comment: 'Thanks to a beautiful coincidence, the TP52 Azzurra makes her US debut exactly 30 years after the first Azzurra, on American waters, sparked the passion Italians have for the America's Cup. It seems as if history wants to repeat itself and continue. As for the upcoming season, we know that winning is difficult, but keeping the top spot is even harder, so we have prepared ourselves properly, working really hard on improving all areas, with small details here and there, but also putting a lot of effort in our physical condition. We made two crew changes, but we have already practiced with them last December, when we really started our season, with a sail test and crew training in Palm Beach. We feel ready and look forward to the challenge!'

Racing for the 52 Super Series 2013 will kick off on Monday, January 21st at 11:30am local time (5:30pm Italian time).

52 Super Series – 2013 Racing Schedule

20 - 25 January – Quantum Key West Race Week
5 - 9 March - 52 World Championship, Miami
23- 26 May - 40th Trofeo Conde de Godo, RCNB, Barcelona
3 - 6 July - Royal Cup, Ibiza
29 July - 3 August - Copa del Rey, RCNP, Palma de Mallorca
10-14 September – Week of the Straits, YCCS, Porto Azzurra website