Azzurra celebrate 30th anniversary

Copa del Rey leaders Audi Azzurra Sailing Team have something extra to celebrate as they hit the water to race today – – on this day 30 years ago the very first Azzurra yacht was launched.

The team’s debut gave rise to one of Italy’s most successful and treasured sporting teams who, three decades later, remain competitive among the world’s best in the 52 Super Series.

The team immediately won their way into the hearts of their countrymen as the first Italian challenger in the America’s Cup in 1983, before forging their way into the history books by claiming third in the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The team, skippered by Cino Ricci and helmed by Mauro Pelaschier, won 24 of their 49 races with their 12-metre yacht designed by the Andrea Valicelli Studio, which was launched on July 19 1982.

The win catapulted sailing onto centre stage in Italy, rivaling the country’s first loves, football and Formula 1, and there it has remained.

Today’s Azzurra sails on the international race courses with the same sporting spirit that characterised us back then.
I am pleased that the burgee of our yacht club continues to show up on the stern of the new Azzurra and that many fans continue to follow us.
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda commodore and Consorzio Azzurra president Riccardo Bonadeo