Armin Strom eagerly anticipates the start of the GC32 Racing Tour

by Quinag on 25 May 2016 Following a successful debut at the GC32 Alps Challenge on Lake Traunsee in Austria, Armin Strom Sailing Team is eagerly anticipating the start of the GC32 Racing Tour proper in just a few days’ time.

With nine teams lining up in Riva del Garda for the GC32 Riva Cup, the team is expecting some strong competition and aims to build on its performance in the GC32 Alps Challenge earlier this month where it placed second behind Team Norauto.

Joining the crew for this event are Kiwi match racer and fast multihull sailor Phil Robertson as mainsheet/tactician, and Australian match racer Luke Payne on the boards.

Coach Diego Stefani is happy with the preparation for the event and says the last month has proved a great opportunity to get all aspects of the boat working smoothly.

“Setting up a GC32 demands a lot of hard work from the team. Systems must run perfectly and every detail needs to be checked during practice periods and before each race.

“Measuring up against Team NORAUTO in the finals in Austria was a good opportunity for us. They will be one of the strongest teams this season,” he says.

The Armin Strom crew is currently in Italy training out of Fraglia Vela Riva in the Lake Garda’s northernmost corner, where the first 2016 GC32 Racing Tour event will be held from 26-29 May.

“We’re really happy to be in Riva, the breeze for training over the past few days has been excellent and we’re looking forward to the start of the event,” says Team Manager Sharon Ferris-Choat.

Armin Strom Sailing Team thanks their sponsors Armin Strom, Marinepool, Forward Sailing, ProTect Tapes and Kaenon for their support.

GC32 Riva Cup crew list:

Skipper: Flavio Marazzi
Tactician/Mainsheet: Phil Robertson
Trimmer: Shane Diviney
Boards: Luke Payne
Bow: Alex Bryning
Team Manager: Sharon Ferris-Choat
Coach: Diego Stefani
Boat Captain: Ned Dalbeth-Hudson
Local expert/assistant coach: Frithjof Kleen