Lang Walker and Kokomo at Audi Farr 40 Cup

by YCCS media on 12 Jun 2008
A spectacular fleet of Farr 40s, regular visitors to Porto Cervo, are once again lined up on the quays of the New Marina ready for tomorrow’s first start in the Audi Farr 40 Cup, event valid as the second series of the Farr 40 European Circuit Med. The regatta, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with the Farr 40 European Fleet Association will take place from June 12th to 14th with 8 windward-leeward races scheduled. Twelve boats representing six nations are participating.

The Italian fleet is a strong one boasting current World Champion Vincenzo Onorato, who also holds the unique record of having won the World title three time back-to-back, with his Mascalzone Latino. Onorato’s crew includes his regular Farr 40 tactician, experienced Olympic and America’s Cup sailor, Adrian Stead of Great Britain. Stead will enjoy pitting his tactical skills against his erstwhile Mascalzone Latino team mate Vasco Vascotto on board Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone (ITA). Vascotto and Nerone took victory in Porto Cervo at the Farr 40 Europeans in 2007 just ahead of Mascalzone but came in tenth in the last World Championship. Tommaso Chieffi will be calling tactics on Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma (ITA) while Dario Ferrari’s Cannonball sees former Desafio Espanol tactician Tony Rey alongside fellow American Larry Leonard, a veteran of the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle.

It’s not only the Italians who have brought in the big guns, however: Ole Van der Heide’s Asterisk (GBR) has former Oracle sailor Rod Dawson on tactics and Lang Walker has Colin Beashel, with no less than five Olympic participations under his belt, aboard his Kokomo (AUS).

Wolfgang Schaefer, President of the Farr 40 European Fleet Association and former European Champion (2003) is enthusiastic about racing in Porto Cervo:

'Unfortunately this is really the first event in the circuit for the European Fleet Med due to a problem that a lot of boats had shipping back from America after the Worlds in April. Now we are all here however and we expect to enjoy the usual fantastic regattas in Porto Cervo. We always have fun here, the hospitality provided by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is great, the staff are very experienced and the level of competition is always high. The fleet we have here includes the current World Champion, the second-placed boat in the Worlds and the current European Champion so the standard is excellent. These are all very experienced crews with very fast boats and we are looking forward to some great racing.'.

Tomorrow’s forecast gives a south-easterly breeze of approximately 10 to 12 knots accompanied by sunshine and blue skies. The first starting signal is scheduled for 12 midday.

For Entry Lists, Notice of race and further details of this event and the YCCS 2008 season, please visit www.yccs.it.