| Italy. Am Cup: Two new boats for Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team |
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| Tuesday, 11 October 2005 | |
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Press release: Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team will rely on new two boats for the 2007 America's Cup. The first one is expected to be ready next spring in time for the preparatory regattas in view of the 2006 competition in Valencia. The team is currently considering whether they should focus on a basic model to be used for both boats or rather opt for two different models. This choice will cost the team less than half the 64 million euro budget earmarked together with sponsor Capitalia. Sailing world champion Vincenzo Onorato is a real America's cup-addict and, quoting Spike Lee he said that "you must destroy your love before it destroys you". "On the last day we won both the regattas. We are doing well although sometimes we didn't have a good start. Flavio Favini is one of the world's fastest helmsmen so we focused on speed. However he is not an expert on match races: this is where Cameron Dunn kicks in". "The America's Cup is two years away and it is too early to indulge in forecasts now. The major differences will become apparent when the new boats arrive: these boats are specifically designed for the final challenge". Now, the team is working hard to "try and harmonise our designer's projects with the first-hand experience of our men. It will take over one year to complete the work but we've got two years left. Of course, the media are eager to see positive results right now but improvements need time". The 14 preliminary races (the so-called Louis Vuitton Act) are the real novelty of the 32nd edition of the America's Cup. "The America's Cup is an excellent advertising I first stood behind the helm of a sailing boat when I was 13 and I hope that my experience as a sailor and a manager will prove useful in the competition" Led by Harry Dunning, the research and development group is comprised of designers, scientists, and engineers. The group members all have previous America's Cup experience. Harry Dunning has previously worked in the design studio of Bruce Farr & Associates, where he contributed to the design of Tag Heuer (1995) and Young America (2000). Furthermore, he collaborated with the Reichel/Pugh Design Group during the design of the the 2002/3 Stars & Stripes campaign. The Mascalzone Latino Design Goup, other than Dunning, includes: Rick Harris, Chris Mairs, Joe Laiosa, Mark McCafferty, Fabrizio Marabini, Silvio Arrivabene, Will Brooks, Duncan MacLane, Marco Savelli and Giovanni Cassinari. |
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 October 2005 ) |
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