Azzurra is the sporting symbol of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), the name that brought international renown to the Club and its burgee - as the first Italian challenger for the America’s Cup in 1983 - and can be credited with introducing sailing to the wider Italian public. Following the relaunch of Azzurra in the Louis Vuitton Trophy in 2009, in 2011 fans of the YCCS team will be able to follow her participation in the Audi MedCup circuit as well as top offshore regattas for the TP52 Class. In addition to the huge following that the class and the circuit enjoy, Azzurra’s crew is also certain to attract attention with top-class sailors such as skipper Guillermo Parada, tactician Francesco Bruni (helmsman of Azzurra since 2009) and strategist Vasco Vascotto aboard.

Together with the support of Audi in the role of sponsor, the new Azzurra project has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of YCCS member Alberto Roemmers (noted owner of the TP52 Matador). The launch of the TP52 Azzurra, scheduled for 10th April, will be followed by testing on the waters off Valencia prior to the PalmaVela regatta in April. The official naming ceremony will take place on 16th May in Cascais, Portugal and the first official event on the team’s calendar will be the inaugural Audi MedCup circuit event taking place from 17th to 22nd May. Fittingly, the final regatta for the team in 2011 will be the Audi TP52 World Championship organized by the YCCS from 2nd to 8th October in Porto Cervo.

AUDI AZZURRA SAILING TEAM - Crew

Guillermo Parada – Skipper/Helmsman

Francesco Bruni - Tactician

Vasco Vascotto – Strategist

Juan Pablo Cadario – Pitman

Mariano Caputo – Bowman

Maciel Cichetti - Trimmer

Alejandro Colla – Grinder

Simon Fry – Trimmer

Mariano Parada - Trimmer

Pedro Rossi – Mid Bow

Paul Westlake – Trimmer

Bruni Zirilli - Navigator 

Alberto Roemmers - Owner

REGATTA CALENDAR

17 – 22 May Audi MedCup Trophy 1

14 - 19 June Audi MedCup Trophy 2

19 - 24 July Audi MedCup Trophy 3

31 July - 6 August Copa del Rey, Palma de Majorca

23 - 28 August Audi MedCup Trophy 4

12 - 17 September Audi MedCup Trophy 5

2 - 8 October TP52 Audi World Championship, Porto Cervo