The opening day of the third series of Farr40 European Circuit organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda got underway on time and the 12 teams in race enjoyed some spectacular sailing conditions. The shifting winds characterized the whole day northnorthly, changing later northesterly, northwesterly and finally northeasterly again -   but the Race Committeee was able to complete all three races  scheduled for today.
Race one saw a powerful northly breeze - locally called Tramontana - getting into 20 - 25 knots  Nanoq owned by HRH Prince Frederik of Denmark, Jans Christensen calling the tactics - dominated the first race getting a good start and playing awesome the wind shifts -  putting behind him Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino  and Nerone of Mezzaroma - Migliori. - former class European and World champions
In the second race of the day Nerone rounded the windward mark first followed by Calvi and Mascalzone Latino but succeeded maintaining  the  pole position holding the lead to the finish. Second to cross the finish line Mascalzone Latino and the german boat Sruntje Light to come after.
Race three saw  Mukka Express of Manfredo Toninelli getting a perfect start  but  lost over Nerone, Fiamma of Alessandro Barnaba - taking third - with the America's cup tactician Tommaso Chieffi  "Lots of lots of wind " refereeing to the shifting winds during the whole day - "In the last race we were so close but we paid our mistake.  We were offshore as soon as we got here. Is  just a metter of time to get fit. Our goals are Mahon and Newport in Setember"
Mezzaroma  "It was a challenging day with plenty of choices to be made and lots of gusts and we are really satisfied with ours. A perfect racing day in a perfect surrounding "
Tomorrow the second day of racing, the first race is  scheduled  at noon and the weather forecast  predicts strong winds.

Provisional overall day 1:

1. Nerone - Massimo Mezzaroma - 5
2. Mascalzone Latino - Vincenzo Onorato - 10
3. Nanoq - Prince Federica of Denmark - 15
4. Fiamma - Alessandro Barnaba - 16
5. TWT - Marco Rodolfi - 17
6. Struntje Light - Wolfgang Schaefer - 18
7. Joe Fly - Giovanni Maspero - 20
8. Calvi - Carlo Alberini - 23
9. Mukka Express - Manfredo Toninelli - 26
10. Enfant Terribile - Gianluigi Serena - 26
11. Cannonball - Dario Ferrari - 29
12. La Marachella - Sandro Pantaleo - 29

Porto Cervo - 01 June 2006 19:01