Extreme 40s to race in 57th Centomiglia Regatta

by PR on 7 Sep 2007 The 57th Centomiglia Regatta on Lake Garda, Italy will host the final iShares Endurance Race of the Extreme 40 class for the 2007 season. From 8-9 September the Extreme 40s will join over 300 boats for the 100-mile race that will send the multihull classes on a two-lap course of the lake.

Two teams, iShares and Tommy Hilfiger will compete in this epic event, which is the highlight of the Italian sailing calendar.

Jennifer Grancio, Head of Distribution, Europe iShares explains, 'Italy is a key market for iShares and it is fitting that we are able to bring the Extreme 40 boats to Lake Garda for the Centomiglia Regatta. Sailing continually pushes the boundaries of technology and innovation and we are delighted to be supporting a sport whose characteristics mirror our approach to investing.'

iShares Cup Race Manager, Alan Hillman will be on site to get a first hand glimpse of all the action as the Extreme 40s take part in one of Europe's classic distance races.

'So far this season, some of the Extreme 40s have competed in two other endurance events including the Bol d'Or on Lake Geneva and the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race around the Isle of Wight in the UK. These events are in stark contrast to the short, sharp racing of the iShares Cup but these 40ft catamarans enjoy stretching their legs in these longer races and the combination of a huge sail area and lightweight configuration, means they often perform well in these long distance events.'

'The teams competing in the Centomiglia Race are looking forward to the strong winds, fantastic scenery and mouth-watering food. I hope they make the most of this 100-mile endurance event and enjoy the open water and steady breeze because the following weekend, for the final iShares Cup event, they will be sailing in the heart of Amsterdam, on a canal, in a confined sailing area. Quite a contrast!' commented Alan.

Some familiar faces on the Extreme 40 circuit will race the iShares entry. Skippered by Australian round the world sailor, Nick Moloney, the boat will also be crewed by Olympic silver medallist Darren Bundock, British Olympian Hugh Styles and America's Cup sailor Richard Sydenham.

American team Tommy Hilfiger will have a shift in crew for the event, with Olympic silver medallist Randy Smyth returning to Extreme 40 racing as helmsman. Smyth led the team to victory in the 2004-2005 Extreme 40 sailing series and will be blowing away the cobwebs at this Italian event which can be seen as a warm-up for the final iShares Cup event held the following weekend in Amsterdam.

Regular helmsman Stan Schreyer will relinquish the driver's seat for Symth yet will continue to sail on the boat with his crew of Jonathon Farrar and Mark van Gelderen. Schreyer is looking forward to having Smyth back with the team.

'Randy is one of the most accomplished catamaran sailors ever. Jonathon, Randy, and I have been racing together for the better part of the last three years. I've been looking after the helm for Randy this year but our plan was always to have Randy back. Randy will be with us for the Centomiglia and for the iShares Cup, Amsterdam. We are thrilled to have him back on board and get our core team back together.' Commented Schreyer.

The American team will be joined by Italy's MotoGP rider Marco Melandri, currently ranked sixth in the overall MotoGP rankings. Melandri will swap his Honda bike for the Extreme 40 on Frioiday 7 September toexperience fast cat sailing.

The Extreme 40s will start the race at 8:20 alongside other multihull classes and 10 minutes ahead of the monohull classes. Prize giving for all the best boats in group and in class will be held on Sunday 9 September at 21:00.