Audi Settimana delle Bocche - Overall
by Jill Campbell & Donata Cuppone 14 Sep 2013 22:01 BST
10-14 September 2013
Victory for Azzurra (TP52) and Bigamist (Soto 40)
The Audi Settimana delle Bocche, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in collaboration with Audi, drew to a perfect conclusion as the competing TP52/IRC52 and Soto 40 fleets battled to the very last to take home the silverware in the final leg of the European circuits of both classes. Azzurra (ITA), the TP52 owned by Alberto Roemmers and flying the YCCS burgee claimed a hard-won victory over Quantum Racing (USA) while Pedro Mendonça's Bigamist (POR) triumphed in the Soto 40 fleet ahead of Estampa del Viento (ESP).
Heading into the final day of racing, following a week of head-to-head battles between Azzurra and Quantum Racing, the Italian boat was holding on to just a three point lead and all was still to play for. After the first of two windward-leeward races, that delta was reduced to two points and everything hung on the performances of the two leaders in the final race. Quantum saw their chances evaporate as they crossed the start line of the last race OCS together with Ràn (SWE). Despite a highly impressive comeback which saw Quantum claw their way back up the fleet to finish second, the Italians could not be caught.
Vasco Vascotto, tactician aboard Azzurra, was enthusiastic on his return to shore: "We are really happy with this result and especially on such an important day for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. I think this is a great way to mark Azzurra's thirtieth anniversary. I must congratulate Quantum, with whom we had an intense battle all week. I think our win was down to teamwork, we have a strong team that will continue to race together in the future."
Quantum Racing were able to console themselves with overall victory in the 52 Super Series: after four legs of the circuit the team led the rankings by a clear 31 points.
Six races for the Soto 40 fleet provided numerous changes of leadership and tight competition for the entire week. The Portugese team on Bigamist, which entered the final day on equal points with Estampa del Viento, secured overall victory by just one point thanks to a bullet in today's final race. Second on the podium was Estampa del Viento, owned by Miguel A. Gonzales. Philipp Schoeller's Earlybird took third place. Bigamist, with top match racer Hugo Rocha aboard, also claimed victory in the European circuit for the class.
Afonso Domingos, helmsman of Bigamist, commented on the team's victory: "We are very happy to have won the regatta and the Soto 40 European circuit. It was a difficult race today, the wind kept swinging round and in the final downwind leg we had to change our tactics. But we did it in the end. Overall it was a great week, intense competition and perfect air."
The crew of Azzurra will continue to celebrate this evening with events organized by the YCCS to mark the 30th anniversary of Azzurra 83's participation as the first Italian challenger in the America's Cup.
Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda: "What a top class finish to our season in Porto Cervo. These highly competitive boats have given us a week of spectacular racing. Obviously we are very happy that Azzurra won the event on the day that we are celebrating Azzurra '83's debut in the America's Cup. The values of sportsmanship, determination and teamwork remain fundamental to us now as they were then. We are very proud of the crew and we thank, as always, our member Alberto Roemmers - owner of this beautiful boat."
This edition of the Audi Settimana delle Bocche brings YCCS events in Porto Cervo to a close, however the Club's sporting calendar continues with the technical organization of the Audi Melges 32 World Championship in Porto Rotondo from 18th to 22nd September and the Transatlantic Superyacht & Maxi Regatta which will depart from Tenerife on 25th November bound for the Caribbean. The Transatlantic event marks the opening of the YCCS winter sailing season at the Club's second home in Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands.
Overall Results:
TP52
1. Azzurra (ITA) - 1/2/2/2/1/3/3/1 - 15pts
2. Quantum Racing (USA) - 2/3/1/3/4/1/2/2 - 18pts
3. Ràn (SWE) - 4/4/5/1/5/2/1/5 - 27pts
4. Gladiator (GBR) - 5/1/7/7/6/4/6/3 - 39pts
5. Provezza 7 (TUR) - 6/5/4/8/3/5/4/4 - 39pts
6. Interlodge (USA) - 3/9/3/6/2/9/8/10 - 50pts
7. Rio (USA) - 7/6/6/4/9/7/5/6 - 50pts
8. Paprec Recyclage (FRA) - 10/7/8/5/8/6/7/7 - 58pts
9. B2 (ITA) - 8/8/9/10/7/8/9/10 - 69pts
Soto 40
1. Bigamist (POR) - 4/1/1/2/3/1 - 12pts
2. Estampa del Viento (ESP) - 1/5/3/1/1/2 - 13pts
3. Earlybird (GER) - 2/2/2/4/4/4 - 18pts
4. Glen Ellen III (FRA) - 3/3/5/3/5/3 - 22pts
5. Black Pearl (GER) - 6/4/4/5/2/6 - 27pts
Visit the websites www.yccs.com, www.52superseries.com and www.soto40.org for further information.