Mascalzone Latino Capitalia and Victory Challenge Go Forward to Final of Jeep Challenge 2006

The four America’s Cup Teams competing in the Jeep Challenge 2006, an event organized by the DaimlerChrysler group in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, took to the waters off Porto Cervo at 11.00 on Friday morning to complete the final two races of the second round robin followed by the semi-final match races.

A light north-easterly breeze allowed the Race Committee to complete all six races scheduled for Friday aboard the one design Mumm 30s used for the event.

The first two races, which completed the second round robin, saw Italy’s Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team romp home 48 seconds ahead of United Internet Team Germany, while Sweden's Victory Challenge crossed the finish line 14 seconds ahead of Spain’s Desafío Español 2007 after an extremely closely fought regatta.

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team against United Internet Team Germany in the second day of Jeep Challenge 2006. Photo copyright: Jeep Challenge

Following the conclusion of the second round robin the pairings for the semi-finals saw Victory Challenge up against Desafio Espanol while Mascalzone Latino competed with United Internet Team Germany.

The Swedes aboard Victory Challenge, helmed by Mattias RahmStrategist of Victory Challenge

Click for more info had no problems winning both semi-final races. Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team, with Italy’s Vasco Vascotto at the helm, also triumphed in both of their races. These two teams will go head to head in tomorrow’s final for which five races are planned.

Weather conditions permitting the German and Spanish Teams will the compete for third and fourth places.

“We had light air again today.” Commented Mascalzone Latino skipper and finalist Vasco Vascotto. “We are happy to have reached the final, we analyzed the mistakes we made yesterday and we learned from them.”

“Obviously we are pleased with today’s results,” confirmed Victory Challenge’s skipper Mattias RahmStrategist of Victory Challenge

Click for more info, “I expect tomorrow to be a tough battle against Vasco who is a World Champion on these boats.”