Šibenik, Croatia, May 27, 2018. Azzurra completed racing at the Šibenik 52 Super Series Sailing Week in fourth place. The first event in the 2018 Series was won by Quantum. Podium finishes also go to Platoon, who won today’s only race, and Sled. The second event in the Series will be the 52 Super Series Zadar Royal Cup, held from June 20th to 24th in Zadar, Croatia.
On the final day of racing at the Šibenik 52 Super Series the wind took its time to fill in. Principal Race Officer Maria Torrijo called the first start at 2:20 when a light breeze from the southwest at eight knots finally kicked in after hours of waiting. Rules state that on the final day of an event racing can’t begin after 3 PM, so today there was just one race in very unstable and shifty conditions that were difficult to read and predict.
The probability of Azzurra’s getting a podium finish were reduced with just one race , but the team gave it their all even though in the end things didn’t go their way. Azzurra got a fairly good and conservative start at the centre but was soon covered by her competitors who slowed her down and reduced her tactical options. Eighth at the upwind mark, Azzurra kept fighting and never gave up, defending her position as well as she could even though she was covered at times. She recovered positions and finished sixth, and the race was fun to watch especially when she passed Quantum at the finish line after rolling Gladiator towards the end of the final run. Tactician Santiago Lange, skipper and helmsman Guillermo Parada and the whole team showed their stuff today, even though the end result didn’t do them justice.
Azzurra is tied for points with Onda, the Brazilian team with Olympic legend Robert Scheidt as tactician. From this highly competitive fleet of twelve teams participating in this first event in the 52 Super Series Quantum Racing, with their new helmsman Dean Barker and Terry Hutchinson aboard, has emerged victorious. This team is racing here as part of the American Magic campaign for the 36th America’s Cup. Platoon, first runner up in last year’s Series, is second after having placed second in today’s only race thanks to sailing on the right hand side of the course. Third place overall goes to Sled, who got an OCS penalty today and finished tenth.
The second event in the 2018 Series will be the 52 Super Series Zadar Royal Cup, held from June 20th to 24th in Zadar, Croatia.
Pablo Roemmers, Owner: “First of all we have to thank our hosts here in Šibenik, they have a beautiful marina and have set up excellent courses. It hasn’t been easy because the winds have been so shifty, but the place is beautiful and coming here has been very worthwhile. We had some difficulties during competition, competing against nine new boats and in a fleet that is really very tight, but we’re happy with our fourth place, we really had to suffer for it.”
Guillermo Parada, skipper: “Conditions were very unstable today. We didn’t get the best start and when we decided to tack to the right three boats tacked on us, one right after the other. So we fell back and from there on we needed to keep alert and take advantage of any possible chance for gain. I think we got a good recovery and I think it’s enough for us to end this event fourth overall. It’s not the greatest start but at least we finished this week knowing what we have to do. We’re looking forward to the next event in Zadar.”
Santiago Lange, tactician: “It wasn’t an easy week and things didn’t always go our way but I’m very happy with the team. We made some mistakes and need to keep improving, that’s clear, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. From here I’m going to sail in the Nacra World Cup Series Final in Marseilles, a few days of training and then the event. I’m happy to keep racing and I’m sure we’ll finish this season strong.”
Šibenik, 52 Super Series Sailing Week Final Results
1. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (4,1,8,1,4,1,3,7) 29 p.
2. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) (1,4,3,5,7,3,10,1) 34 p.
3. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) (12,3,1,8,3,2,2,10) 41 p.
4. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto Roemmers) (3,10,10,4,2,7,4,6) 46 p.
5. Onda (BRA) (Eduardo de Souza Ramos) (2,7,5,3,10,6,8,5) 46 p.
6. Luna Rossa (ITA) (Patrizio Bertelli) (7,5,9,9,5,4,7,3) 49 p.
7. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) (9,8,6,2,8,8,6,4) 51 p.
8. Phoenix (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) (8,6,11,6,6,11,5,2) 55 p.
9. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (5,9,4,7,12,9,1,9) 56 p.
10. Paprec Recyclage (FRA) (Jean Luc Petithuguenin) (6,12,2,12,1,10,9,12) 64 p.
11. Gladiator (GBR) (Tony Langley) (10(+2 PEN),2,7,11,9,5,12,8) 66 p.
12. XIO Hurakan (ITA) (Marco Serafini) (11,11,12,10,11,12,11,11) 89 p.
52 SUPER SERIES 2018
Sibenik 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week
May 23rd - 27th, Sibenik, Croatia
52 SUPER SERIES Zadar Royal Cup
June 20th - 24th, Zadar, Croatia
ROLEX TP52 World Championship Cascais 2018
July 17th - 21st, Cascais, Portugal
Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week
August 21st - 25th, Mallorca, Spain
52 SUPER SERIES Valencia Sailing Week
September 18th - 22nd, Valencia, Spain
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AZZURRA
Pablo and Alberto Roemmers - Owners
Guillermo Parada - Skipper, Helm
Santiago Lange - Tactician
Bruno Zirilli - Navigator
Giovanni Cassinari - Mainsail
Mariano Caputo - Bowman
Juan Pablo Marcos - Midbow
David Vera - Pitman
Grant Loretz- Trimmer
Ciccio Celon - Trimmer
Mariano Parada - Trimmer
Gabriel Marino - Grinder
Alejandro Colla – Grinder
Nicola Pilastro - Grinder
Pedro Rossi- Boat Captain
Coach: Guillermo Baquerizas
Coach: Marco Capitani
Contact:
Giuliano Luzzatto
Media Relations
Tel. +39 348 5966160
pressoffice@azzurra.it
www.azzurra.it