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Sail-World.com : Louis Vuitton Trophy Inspirational sailing by all Italian Azzurra Team
Louis Vuitton Trophy Inspirational sailing by all Italian Azzurra Team
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Azzurra has been sailing through the Louis Vuitton Trophy series with the passion and performance enough to inspire every Italian to become an ardent follower of their sailing national team. Francesco Bruni, Tomasso Chieffi and the rest of the 17-man team upset the British powerhouse, TeamOrigin by 1:34 in the first race of the Semi-finals and gave their compatriots something to cheer about.
The pursuit of the Louis Vuitton Trophy inspires patriotism and no team generates more nostalgia and nationalism than Azzurra. Yacht Club Costa Smeralda displays spirit and plays to the heartstrings of Italy’s passionate sailing nobility and sports fans like no other. The Club’s America’s Cup inspiration dates back to1980 when Ricardo Bonadeo, current YCCS Commodore and Azzurra President, launched an America’s Cup challenge under the club’s colors. The club’s membership includes influential members of the Italian business community and 17 companies joined H.H. The Aga Khan and the late Gianni Agnelli, of Fiat fame, in sponsoring the Azzurra team.
Azzurra’s first campaign carried the spirited Italians through to the Semi-finals of the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup. Azzurra also pursued the 1987 America’s Cup. The team was so inspirational that Azzurra became the popular name for everything from pizzerias to newborn baby girls.
Over 20 years later, Azzurra has returned to the milieu of interclub and nationalistic sailing competition by fielding an entirely Italian team for its World professional Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) debut at the Louis Vuitton Trophy-Nice. The Azzurra team brings together Giovanni Maspero’s Joe Fly sailing team, which has done so well in one-designs such as the Melges 32 and the Farr 40, and Yacht Club Costa Smeralda under the Azzurra trademark.
The Italians’ presence is unlike any other teams in Nice. Their logo is reminiscent of the Azzurra blue spinnaker of yesteryear and the burgee of YCCS. The tall ship, Signora del Vento, is the largest presence on the Baie des Anges. Chartered by YCCS, the yacht provides club members with the best on the water VIP experience during the day and has played host to gatherings of team members, their guests and potential sponsors during the evenings.
 | Francesco Bruni - Azzura Team - Louis Vuitton Trophy Series - Stefano Gattini © |
Said skipper, Francesco Bruni, who hails from Palermo, 'It is unusual to have an America’s Cup team in which everyone is from the same country and speaks their mother tongue. The entire team goes the extra mile because it is pushing for its flag and its country.' Bruni was especially happy with the team’s start against Team ORIGIN during the first race the Semi-finals and indicated that the start and the race victory was a confidence-builder.
 | Tommaso Chieffi - Azzura Team - Louis Vuitton Trophy Series - Stefano Gattini © |
Tactician, Tommaso Chieffi's sailing career started in Marima di Carrara, Tuscany . He resides in Milan and is accustomed to being part of spirited America’s Cup teams, including the soulful 2007 South African team Shosholoza. Chieffi and teammates/compatriots Massimo Galli and Daniele De Luca were also members of another 1987 America’s Cup challenger, Italia. Said Chieffi, who like Bruni and team manager Alessandra Sensini, is an Olympian, 'Italy is a small nation that has a lot of pride in its national sailing team. This is a very special team. Being team member reinforces our pride in the national flag.'
On Thursday and Friday, Azzurra will encounter stiff competition as the team faces off against TeamOrigin, Synergy and Emirates Team New Zealand, flying the British, Russian and New Zealand colors, respectively, and having as many as eight nationalities aboard.
www.worldregattas.com
by Lynn Fitzpatrick - WorldRegattas.com
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4:02 AM Fri 20 Nov 2009 GMT
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