52 Super Series - Azzurra Sailing Team closing the gap

by Azzurra Sailing Team on 15 Jul 2012 The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team won on the final day of the Royal Cup in Palma. After a first and a second, they the gap on the leader of the 52 Super Series, and now trail by just six points.

The breeze was fresh from the North today on the Bay of Palma, with gusts of up to 30 knots making for fast and spectacular racing with the 52s planing at 23 knots putting the teams to the test. The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, skippered by Guillermo Parada had a photo finish the first race to take second, having led the fleet from the second windward mark after overtaking All4One. It was a spectacular race, which saw Ran, winner of the Royal Cup, place third by just a split second.

In the final race, with the winds continuing to build Azzurra had an excellent start, battling for first with Quantum (who retired from the first race) and All4One from the outset. Azzurra was first to round the first mark and continued to stretch their lead to take the victory ahead of Ran and Quantum.

With the Royal Cup completed, just six points separate the team from Quantum, overall leader of the 52 Super Series. The Valencia Cup, which begins on 19 September, will give the Audi Azzurra Sailing team another chance to move up the overall leaderboard.

Azzurra will stay on in Palma to take part in the 31st Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, which begins on 16 July. This is a stand-alone event and the 52s will be rated under IRC.

'Today we saw a ‘real team’ race,' confirmed the Commodore of the YCCS, Riccardo Bonadeo. 'They have shown their ability to work together and respond in difficult moments over the course of the last week. I am very proud of this crew who represent Azzurra in the most prestigious regattas, including here in Palma.'

Guillermo Parada, Skipper and helmsman said 'It was a great way to finish the Royal Cup and show everyone that we don’t give up. Despite the difficult moments this week, we finished well and are ready to battle in Valencia in the final event of the season. We’ll now stay on in Palma for the Copa del Rey, an event we have already won three times as Matador. We hope to be able to win again as Azzurra and have a good week of racing with Alberto Roemmers Jr at the helm'.

Vasco Vascotto, Tactician said 'Finally, we showed our potential in these last two races, while during the week, we didn’t always perform as we did today. Without the disqualification, we would have won the Royal Cup.'

52 Super Series Royal Cup - Final ranking
1 Rán (SWE) 23pt
2 Quantum Racing (USA) 24pt
3 Audi Sailing Team by ALL4ONE (GER/FRA) 24pt
4 Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA) 27pt
5 Powerplay (CAY) 41,2pt
6 Gladiator (GBR) 44pt
7 Provezza 7 (TUR) 47pt
8 Aquila (AUT) 56pt

52 Super Series - Overall
1 Quantum Racing (USA) 53,5pt
2 Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA) 59,5pt
3 Rán (SWE) 69,5pt
4 Gladiator (GBR) 93pt
5 Audi Sailing Team by ALL4ONE (GER/FRA) 111,5pt
6 Powerplay (CAY) 121,2pt
7 Provezza 7 (TUR) 131,5pt
8 Aquila (AUT) 140,5pt
9 Paprec (FRA) 150,5pt

Azzurra Sailing Team website