First test sail for AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8

One by one, the TP52 teams are getting ready for the imminent start of the 2008 Audi Medcup circuit. On Sunday afternoon it was the turn of Ricardo Simoneschi's AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8 to hit the waters for the first time ever.

The yacht, a Vrolijk design, was built by Hakes Marine in Wellington, New Zealand and launched a month ago. After fitting her out, the team presented it in Genoa during the weekend and immediately thereafter carried out the first test sails under sunny skies and light spring winds. The AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8 will now train onboard the "Silver Surfer" for a few more days before she is transfered to Alicante, for the inaugural event of the 2008 season, from May 12 to 18.

Ricardo Simoneschi will be at the helm of the Silver Surfer while the rest of the crew reads like a who's who of top professional sailing, with a number of a America's Cup pedigree sailors. Tommaso Chieffi will be calling tactics, Philippe Presti will trim the mainsail and a number of ex Luna Rossa sailors will hold the key positions, such as Manuel Modena, Massimo Gherarducci, Michele Cannoni or Paolo Bassani.

First test sail for AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8. Genoa, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8

First test sail for AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8. Genoa, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8

Ricardo Simoneschi at the helm of the Silver Surfer. Genoa, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright AUDI TP52 Sailing Team powered by Q8



Launch of the brand new Silver Surfer. Wellington, 17 March 2008