The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team starts its 2012 racing season with the tune-up event for the TP52 class, the Mapfre PalmaVela. Developed by designer Marcelino Botin, the new Azzurra yacht, owned, like the previous one, by Alberto Roemmers, member of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, was constructed at the King Marine boatyard in Valencia, under the supervision of project manager Miguel Costa.

Audi Azzurra Sailing Team - Photo by AZZURRA/JRENEDO

Last season’s crew will be once again onboard, with the addition of pitman David Vera and Juan Pablo Marcos as mid-bow. Skipper Guillermo Parada will be at the helm, while the afterguard will be completed with Vasco Vascotto, Checco Bruni and Bruno Zirilli. The team was reunited in Palma de Mallorca already at the beginning of the week in order to carry out the first tests on the new yacht.

Starting today, the Azzurra TP52 yacht by Audi will battle against Quantum, Ran and Gladiator in view of the season’s first official event, the Trofeo Conde de Godò in Barcelona. The weather forecast on the opening day calls for a mainly westerly – northwesterly fresh breeze, blowing at around 20 knots.

52 SAILING SERIES 2012
Barcelona, Trofeo Conde de Godò                      May 23rd – 27th
Porto Cervo, Audi Sardinia Cup                          June 11th – 17th
Palma de Mallorca, Royal Cup                              July 11th – 14th
Palma de Mallorca, Copa del Rey                        July 16th – 21st (IRC scoring)
Valencia Cup                                                               September 18th – 22nd

AUDI AZZURRA SAILING TEAM
Guillermo Parada – Skipper and Helmsman
Vasco Vascotto – Tactician
Bruno Zirilli – Navigator
Paul Westlake – Mainsail
Mariano Caputo – Bowman
Juan Pablo Marcos –  Midbow
David Vera – Pitman
Maciel Cichetti – Trimmer
Mariano Parada – Strategist
Simon Fry – Trimmer
Gabriel Marino – Grinder
Alejandro Colla – Grinder

Boat Captain: Pedro Rossi

Owner: Alberto Roemmers