The second event in the RC44 Championship is about to get underway

by YCCS on 28 Jun 2017 There are nine RC44s lined up in Porto Cervo, along the docks in front of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. These high performance One Designs were created by Russell Coutts (RC) twelve years ago and their appeal hasn't diminished even in these days of foiling catamarans.

One of the most enthusiastic owners of a yacht racing in this Class is Torbjorn Tornqvist, owner of Artemis, the Swedish Challenger at the America's Cup, won just two days ago, June 25th, by Emirates Team New Zealand who defeated the American Defenders aboard Oracle.

The Swedish magnate will be present at Porto Cervo with two RC44s called Artemis, one whose very young team counts two-time Olympic medalist (Gold in Star Class, London 2012, Bronze in Qindao, 2008) Freddy Loof as tactician. The other will have Tornqvist himself at the helm along with an all-star crew with the likes of tactician Francesco Bruni aboard.

Says, Bruni, 'I arrived to Porto Cervo directly from the America's Cup in Bermuda, and am very happy to be here. I love sailing here, but haven't been back for a while. When the competition is at this level you can't go wrong, no matter what kind of boat you're sailing on. Yesterday we did a test sailing in a stiff Mistral at 25 knots and we're not even thinking about the fact that we lost out to a star team that will bring the America's Cup back to New Zealand.'

The crew lists see top names, especially amongst the tacticians: Cameron Appleton aboard Jim Richardson's Team Aqua, winner of the first event in this series at Sotogrande, Spain, and second runner up last year. Defending champions are Igor Lah's Slovenian team aboard Ceeref, with the British tactician Adrian Stead.

Vasco Vascotto is, as always, aboard Peninsula Petroleum, with Dag von Appen, a passionate yachtsman who is making his debut on the RC44 circuit, and is standing in for owner John Bassadone. Tacticians aboard other yachts racing are Hamish Pepper, Morgan Reeser, Cameron Dunn and Andy Horton. Italians Matteo Auguadro and Michele Cannoni will be aboard Ceeref, Marco Carpinello will be aboard Katusha and Pietro Mantovani will be aboard Bronenosec.

Riccardo Bonadeo, YCCS Commodore: 'The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is delighted to have the RC44 class back again here in Porto Cervo after two events at our Virgin Gorda Clubhouse in the BVI. With this regatta starting tomorrow, it is the fourth time that the RC44 class chooses our Club. I wish a warm welcome here in Porto Cervo to the owners, the Race Committee, the International Jury and, last but not least, to the high level crews, including some sailors coming directly from Bermuda where the America's Cup has just ended.'

Today saw the Practice Race and the RC44 Porto Cervo Cup and the event will be held from tomorrow, June 29th to Sunday July 2nd. Racing is scheduled to begin at 12 noon and will include daily windward/leeward courses.