2009 marks the fifth edition of Rolex Capri Sailing Week, an event fast becoming a firm favourite on the early season Mediterranean calendar. This year four fleets will be competing on waters of the Gulf of Naples, sandwiched between an island of devastating beauty and a volcano with a reputation for devastating behaviour. Vesuvius has not erupted for over sixty years, but there is every expectation of fireworks when the Farr 40s, Swan 45s, Club Swan 42s and Comets take to the racecourse in a week’s time.

The current entry list shows seventeen Farr 40s including current and three-time world champion, Vincenzo Onorato and Mascalzone Latino. These are effectively home waters for the Neapolitan, Onorato, and it would be brave bet to look elsewhere for a winner. Yet the Farr 40s are anything but uncompetitive. Giovanni Maspero will be looking to exact revenge following last year’s narrow defeat in the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds in Miami, along with taking an opportunity to unnerve Onorato ahead of this year’s Worlds scheduled for the end of June in Porto Cervo. Alessandro Barnaba and Fiamma, with Tommaso Chieffi as tactician, have already taken a successful tilt at Onorato’s seemingly secure crown, winning the first of the European Circuit events in Porto Rotondo in April. Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone, with the mercurial Vasco Vascotto in the hot seat, was another Farr 40 with the temerity to sneak in ahead at that event.

Of course, the Farr 40 class is not solely the preserve of the Italians. Helmut Jahn and Bill Hardesty may not have been too disappointed with Flash Gordon’s fourth place showing in Porto Rotondo and with two more American boats – Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad and William Douglass’ Goombay Smash - joining them in Capri, they should not be short of confidence in this international fleet that also features teams from Germany, Denmark, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Rolex Capri Sailing Week is the second event of the Farr 40 European Circuit that culminates at the end of July with the Regione Sardegna Campionato Europeo Farr 40 in Cagliari.

Rolex Capri Sailing Week runs from 19 to 23 May 2009 and is organised by the Yacht Club Capri. The social highlight of the week is certain, once again, to be the Rolex Dinner and Crew Party at the Canzone del Mare, made famous by actress and singer Gracie Fields who made it her home shortly after the finish of World War II.
For more information about the Rolex Capri Sailing Week including entry lists and media accreditation please visit www.yccapri.com www.yccapri.com



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