Magic Carpet Squared wins inaugural Nespresso Cup

[Source: Nespresso Cup] On the final day of racing at the Nespresso Cup, the first exclusive regatta for Wally yachts, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ Magic Carpet Squared sailed a great final race to secure the overall Nespresso Cup trophy…

The Nespresso Cup came to a stylish conclusion on Sunday in Portofino, Italy. After three days of racing over the 6th to 9th May, the Wally yacht Magic Carpet Squared secured victory to lift the inaugural Nespresso Cup Trophy. The final day produced the best racing of the three-day event. The anticipated duel between Magic Carpet Squared and J One, driven by owner Jean-Charles Decaux, became a reality as the two boats headed out to the racecourse on equal points. The Yacht Club Italiano managed to stage two windward/leeward races in 12-15 knots of breeze and it was the final race that proved to be the decider with the main contenders gunning for the start line as Jean-Charles Decaux explained: “We knew at the starting line that they [Magic Carpet Squared] were starting very, very well and we were a bit over the line, so that is where it was costing us a lot. It was a very aggressive start and I said to the team we have to take maximum risk otherwise we won’t beat them.” After re-rounding the starting mark, the J One crew sailed hard and fast to make up time but it was not quite enough, missing out on victory by less than one minute on corrected time: ““It was very close, in the second race we were less than one minute behind so in a race that was over one and a half hours it was superb. I would like to congratulate Magic Carpet Squared because they did a very good race and they deserved the victory.”

Highlights from the inaugural Nespresso Cup. Portofino, 9 May 2010. Video copyright Nespresso Cup

Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones could not have been more delighted with his victory. Surrounded by some of the legends in the sport – the likes of America’s Cup legend Tom Whidden and Volvo Ocean Race navigator Marcel van Triest – their combined skills were put to the test: “They were difficult races because it was windy with quite big seas and that is not really the conditions our boat likes best because it is light and it tends to get knocked off the top of the waves a bit. The last race was even more tense than most people realised for us because on one of these we waves when we crashed, we lost all our instruments so we did most of the last race with no instruments at all. But I’ve got a great crew and someone like Tom Whidden who even remembers how to use a hand compass and doesn’t have to rely entirely on electronic things!” said Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones back on the dockside.

This new premier regatta solely for the Wally Class, brought together some of sailing’s most respected world-class sailors and leading Wally owners, to deliver one of the most aesthetically pleasing sailing regattas on the planet. Together with Wally Yachts, Nespresso created the Ultimate Cup, and the ten Wally yachts competed in a series of races demonstrating their unique blend of style and cutting-edge design. It’s a format that is destined to succeed in the future as the overall winner of the first Nespresso Cup concurred: “Everyone likes winning and I suppose that is true of all yachtsmen but when there is something new and special, and it is the first real regatta just for the Wally Class, obviously the first time someone wins it you will always be there, so we are especially delighted.”

French sailing legend and Nespresso Cup Race Ambassador, Loick Peyron summarised perfectly the spirit of the event: “The 2010 Nespress Cup was fabulous. Each time you see the smiles on the faces of the owners and crews you know it is something special because they all love to be together as they there are a family, and this is where this family was born especially with Luca Bassani which is very symbolic.”

Overall Positions Nespresso Cup Final Day:
1/ Magic Carpet Squared / Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones / 5pts
2 / J One / Jean-Charles Decaux / 8pts
3 / Y3K / Claus Peter Offen / 12 pts

Video: Highlights from Day 1 of the Nespresso Cup

Highlights from Day 1 of the Nespresso Cup. Portofino, 8 May 2010. Video copyright Nespresso Cup

Nespresso and Wally announce the Nespresso Cup

[Source: Nespresso] A premier new sailing event gathering exclusively the Wally Class and bringing together world-class skippers in the exclusive venue of Portofino.

Nestlé Nespresso S.A., the worldwide pioneer and reference for highest quality premium portioned coffee, today announced the launch of the Nespresso Cup, a new international regatta gathering for the very first time exclusively the Wally Class.

The announcement by Nespresso was made together with Luca Bassani Antivari, President and Founder of Wally, and with the presence of sailing legend Francesco de Angelis at the Yacht Club Italiano’s press conference which presented this season’s regattas.



“The Nespresso Cup celebrates the fusion of aesthetics and performance to deliver the most beautiful sailing regatta” said Richard Girardot, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Nespresso S.A. “Inspired by the same passion, Nespresso and Wally share a common philosophy of creative innovation, highest execution on quality, cutting-edge design and technology, delivering elegant but functional solutions.”

The Nespresso Cup, set against the enchanting backdrop of Portofino, Italy, promises to bring a new dimension to the beauty of sailing. Portofino’s vibrant waterfront offers an exceptional venue in terms of beauty and atmosphere, in the purest Italian tradition.

From the 7th to 9th May 2010, this beautiful harbour will be home to the participating Wally yachts. For three days, with two races scheduled per day, a total of 15 Wally yachts will battle it out on windward-leeward courses set up in front of Portofino.

The Nespresso Cup will take place form May 7 to May 9 in Portofino, Italy. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget

During this ultimate three day event, Nespresso is delighted to welcome, as ambassadors of the first edition of the Nespresso Cup, an extraordinary group of sailing legends. Among the prestigious line-up, and fresh from Valencia, French offshore racing icon Loïck Peyron will be competing on the blue waters of Portofino. Peyron commented: "I've always found Wally Yachts very seductive, and am looking forward to finally experiencing them first hand on the race course during the Nespresso Cup. The spectacular venue of Portofino will be the perfect location for such an event."

Grand Prix sailing legends Paul Cayard (USA) and Francesco de Angelis (ITA) will also be racing in Portofino. These two sailors have had a few high-profile battles at the highest level in the past and together have won the 1995 Admiral’s Cup. Both are looking forward taking part in the Nespresso Cup. “It will be great to compete in the inaugural Nespresso Cup in Portofino. The venue is unique and it will be fantastic to see the harbour filled by big yachts like the Wallys,” said Francesco de Angelis. “The racing there is never easy and all the Class Divisions will be competitive given the high level of the Teams. Racing in Portofino is always a challenge and hopefully this event will become a classic."