Vincenzo Onorato talks about the Barcolana and the America's Cup

Vincenzo Onorato, the Italian owner of Mascalzone Latino, talked to the media on Saturday in Trieste where he raced for the RC44 Trieste Cup, an event of the Barcolana. Onorato's boat had a difficult start at the Trieste Cup and was unable to recover due to its uneven performance. Mascalzone Latino finished 6th overall out of 10 boats that took part in the event.

In addition to expressing his admiration for the Barcolana, Onorato briefly comments about the current state of affairs of the America's Cup, making a disadvantageous comparison to the Italian event.

"The Barcolana is an incredible thing, a true sailing party. I haven't seen anything like it, neither in Valencia nor in Auckland. It's been more than 30 years that I have been racing throughout the world but this is the first time I see an event such as this one. It's fantastic to take part in it and Trieste gives the sailing world a lesson in style."

"It truly is a party for the sport of sailing and the people, and to see so many boats and so many people united in the same spirit, the genuine one, the sporting one, it's incredible. As far as the last day of racing is concerned, I hope to have fun, to be with my friends. Here in Trieste, it's not like the America's Cup which has turned into a drugged event, slowly distancing itself from people. The America's Cup should learn from Trieste and in particular from the Barcolana."

Vincenzo Onorato helming the Mascalzone Latino boat at the RC44 Trieste Cup where he finished sixth overall. Photo copyright Fabio Taccola/Farevela

"The relation I have with the city of Trieste is a sort of twinship, my crew has a long history of local guys and especially Vasco Vascotto, with whom I won two world titles. It's a very strong bond and this city has inspired me to create the sailing school in Naples. In Trieste, sailing is a popular sport and for that reason it can be considered a cradle of champions, unlike Naples where we hope that some day things will change."

"I chose to race in Barcolana with the RC44 because it's an innovative and extremely competitive boat, created and managed by the greatest sailing champion of all times: Russell Coutts."

"The America's Cup in 2009, with the same boats as the previous edition, would be perfect for Mascalzone Latino and with that solution all problems would be solved. During summer we proposed that solution, which would have given the opportunity to race within a very short time and enjoy very close and spectacular competition. The last edition of the event was characterized by close and breathtaking duels and I hope the next America's Cup can truly convey spectators the emotion and conquer them, just like here in Barcolana."

Vincenzo Onorato helming the Mascalzone Latino boat at the RC44 Trieste Cup where he finished sixth overall. Photo copyright Fabio Taccola/Farevela