Azzurra back in Porto Cervo for the Audi 52 Super Series Sailing Week

Azzurra - 2019 Rolex TP52 World Champonship © Martinez Studio / 52 Super Series

The TP52 Azzurra is back in her home waters for the final event of the most competitive keel boat racing series. Racing begins tomorrow and will end Saturday September 28th, the day when the winner of the 2019 52 Super Series will be decided.

In anticipation of the final event in the 52 Super Series there is a fleet of ten 52s from eight nations lined up on the dock in front of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Azzurra, the YCCS sporting symbol, will begin this event in the lead of the provisional overall results with a slim margin of just six points on Platoon, TP52 World Champion since August when she won the fourth event in the 52 Super Series at Puerto Portals. Quantum Racing is in third place at 11 points from Azzurra and is stiff competition for the home team.

Since the 52 Super Series was first run in 2012, Azzurra has won the season three times and Quantum Racing has won four times. Platoon has come in second for the past two seasons and today she wants the top spot on the podium more than ever. Racing will be hard fought and not only between the top three teams because Bronenosec and Provezza could also cinch a podium finish and all of the 10 teams present want to end the season on a high note.

Azzurra has arrived in Porto Cervo determined, concentrated and well prepared, knowing that the competition will be stiff but knowing that she is up to it and unintimidated by the fact that she will be racing in the waters off the YCCS. "We have arrived here in Porto Cervo motivated and well aware that this is a unique opportunity to end the season in our home waters," said skipper Guillermo Parada.

"We have prepared and tuned everything, so the end result comes down to us. We hope to have a good week here in Costa Smeralda and that all of the hard work we have done this season will pay off."

Tactician Santiago Lange added: "It all comes down to this event in Sardinia, it's very interesting and very exciting. We're in the lead but we know it will be hard because the level of the other teams is very high, but we're ready and feeling good. We will head out to race with our usual mind set, trying to sail consistently every day and knowing that all the crew is exceptional."

Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the YCCS: "Azzurra has arrived in Porto Cervo for the final event in the 52 Super Series as leader overall. We know how hard it will be to fight off the other teams, they're all top level. I'm counting on our team's consistency throughout the season even though I know how much the other teams want to win. Nothing has been left to chance and for this I want to thank our club members the Roemmers and the whole of Azzurra's team, the YCCS is routing for you!"

The first Warning Signal will be tomorrow, September 24th at noon and two windward leeward races are on the programme. Wednesday there will be a coastal race through the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago. From tomorrow to Thursday the forecast calls for Mistral winds at up to 26 knots that could make for thrilling racing for Azzurra and the rest of the 52 Super Series fleet.

Entries

Alegre - Andy Soriano (USA/GBR), 2018 Botin
Azzurra - Roemmers Family (ARG/ITA), 2018 Botin
Bronenosec - Vladimir Liubomirov (RUS), 2019 Botin
Gladiator - Tony Langley (GBR), 2017 Botin
Phoenix 11 - Hasso/Tina Plattner (RSA), 2018 Botin
Platoon - Harm Müller-Spreer (GER), 2018 Judel/Vrolijk
Provezza - Ergin Imre (TUR), 2018 Judel/Vrolijk
Quantum Racing - Doug DeVos (USA), 2018 Botin
Sled - Takashi Okura (USA), 2018 Botin
Team Vision Future - Jean Jacques Chaubard (FRA), 2015 Botin

More information at 52superseries.com and azzurra.it.