One week to go to the start of the Nespresso Cup

by Nespresso Cup Media on 1 May 2010 With only a week to go until the start of the very first Nespresso Cup regatta to be held over the sixth-9th May, the entry list now totals 14 Wally yachts representing a diverse range of these unmistakable streamlined yachts.

The Nespresso Cup is a premier new sailing event organized by the Yacht Club Italiano bringing together the Wally Class and world-class sailors for the first time in the exclusive venue of Portofino, Italy.

Owners and crew from the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, the USA and Australia - sporting a host of major sailing achievements including World and National Championship titles, round the world races and America’s Cup - will take their places on the yachts.

The likes of Britain’s Matt Humphries, match racer and round the world sailor, onboard Wally yacht J One; Ryokan two navigator, Frenchman François Brenac, Olympic and America’s Cup contender, and four-times winner of the Tour de France à la Voile; and American Tom Whidden, President North Sails International, will combine his Wally and America’s Cup strategic experience on board Magic Carpet Squared.

Tom competed in five America’s Cup events securing three wins including aiding Dennis Conner regain the America’s Cup for the USA in 1987 on board Stars & Stripes – not surprising to find Tom inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame in 2004.

Alongside these talented sailors will be three Nespresso Cup Ambassadors - Loick Peyron, Paul Cayard and Francesco de Angelis. 'I always thought the Wally boats were really elegant and very interesting,' said Peyron.

'I never sailed on them and I will really enjoy to be in Portofino for the Nespresso Cup. I think we are going to have a nice ‘casting’ of sailors with skippers and crew coming from different areas and culture like the America’s Cup, the Olympics or offshore.'

'I also look forward to sharing some passion with the owners and crews because they all love these nice machines - we are going to spend a few fascinating days together.'

The Wally yachts will start to gather in the enchanting port of Portofino in early May ahead of the official registration and Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 6th May.

Over the seventh-9th May the Wally yachts will then battle it out on the blue Mediterranean waters competing in up to three races each day, organised by the Yacht Club Italiano, before the winners are declared at the prizegiving ceremony on Sunday, 9th May with the overall winners being presented with the prestigious Nespresso Cup Trophy for the first time.

Nespresso Cup entries:

Name	Length Overall (meters)
Esense	43.70
J One	24.00
Magic Carpet Squared	29.00
Dark Shadow	30.45
Wally B	32.72
Indio	30.50
Ryokan 2	24.00
Tiketitoo	27.00
Gibian	30.45
Kenora	32.72
Y3K	30.50
Tango	24.00
Rose 2	11.00
Biancaneve	11.00