Fuente info Sail-World
Audi to sponsor Team Azzurra
Final preparations are underway for the third event of the Louis Vuitton Trophy scheduled to be held in La Maddalena, Sardinia from 22nd May to 6th June 2010.
The event represents another significant step in the work the team, flying the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, has undertaken in recent months. Since the previous event in Auckland, Azzurra has participated in several match races regattas, including the Congressional Cup where they took victory, as well as a training session on America’s Cup Class boats in Valencia.
Preparations are not only in course at sea however, as the complex logistics of managing a sports team of this level also require careful planning on dry land. With this in mind the agreement reached with Audi, a partner of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for several seasons, represents an important development for the team. The renowned German manufacturer has been present on the international sailing scene for many years, supporting the established Audi MedCup circuit for the TP52 and GP42 classes, and in 2010 is Title Sponsor of two major events on the YCCS sporting calendar: the ISAF Offshore Team World Championship - Audi Sardinia Cup and the Audi Invitational Melges 32.
Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the YCCS and President of Azzurra, commented: “The partnership with Azzurra is a natural progression from the long and productive association that exists between this distinguished automotive company and our yacht club. Audi simply had to be present at the Louis Vuitton Trophy event held on our home waters against the wonderful backdrop of the Costa Smeralda which boasts one of the most spectacular and challenging regatta courses in the world. The Audi brand has always been synonymous with style and excellence, an image that fits perfectly with a sporting team of the calibre of Azzurra.”
About Azzurra
Azzurra takes its name from the first Italian challenger to the America’s Cup which was launched by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in 1983. Azzurra finished third in the challenger series in Newport, RI, USA. The YCCS acted as Challenger of Record for the 1987 America’s Cup in Fremantle, Australia. Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the YCCS and President of the current Azzurra consortium was also at the head of the Azzurra challenge in 1983. The new team Azzurra, launched in October 2009, arose from the collaboration between the YCCS and Giovannni Maspero; the team is led by skipper and helmsman Francesco Bruni, supported by tactician Tommaso Chieffi. Francesco Bruni has taken part in two America's Cups and three Olympic Games. Tommaso Chieffi is also one of the best Italian racing yachtsmen, with four America’s Cup and one Olympic Games to his credit. The rest of the crew is made up by match race, America’s Cup and one-design sailors.
www.azzurra.it
