Victory Challenge triumphs among America's Cup Teams in the Jeep Challenge

At 11 a.m. Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia Team (Italy) and Victory Challenge (Switzerland), the two finalists in the Jeep Challenge 2006, set out to dispute the best of three regattas to decide the overall winner of the event. The Jeep Challenge is organized by DaimlerChrysler Italy in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Of the four competing America's Cup teams, Spain's Desafío Español and Germany's United Internet Team Germany were eliminated after yesterday's semi-final results.

A light breeze of around 4-5 knots from north-east accompanied the Swedes of Victory Challenge, with helmsman Mattias RahmStrategist of Victory Challenge

Click for more info, as, living up to their name, they won the first three match races, dominating Vasco Vascotto’s Mascalzone Latino completely.

Mascalzone got off to a good start in the first race, rounding the first two marks ahead, but the Swedes managed to overtake during the second windward leg and went on to cross the finish line just 5 seconds ahead of the Italians.

The Scandinavians dominated the second match from the start and gave nothing away to the Italians. The third and final race was closely-fought and saw Mascalzone Latino win the start and dominate for most of the regatta only to be overtaken half-way through the final leeward leg. Victory Challenge crossed the finish line just 6 seconds ahead of Mascalzone.

“They were really good regattas,” said Mattias RahmStrategist of Victory Challenge

Click for more info, helmsman of Victory Challenge “ and obviously we’re delighted with the results. The crew has never sailed on a boat of this size before. We knew from the start that Vascotto would be a difficult adversary and we really gave it our all to get by him. What helped us most was the fact we were stronger in the starts. I would like to thank the organizers and I hope we can return next year to defend the title because Sardinia is the most beautiful place I’ve ever sailed in.”