Welcome to F.I.E.L.D.- the First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan Christens the TP52 Azzurra 2011-05-18

Date: 
Wednesday, 2011, May 18
Location: 
Source: 
Luvmyboat.com
Princess Zahra.jpg

Azzurra, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's new TP52 which is set to compete in the prestigious Audi MedCup circuit, was today officially baptised by godmother Princess Zahra Aga Khan. During the ceremony a second Audi-sponsored vessel, the French-German collaboration All4One, was also present together with special guest, actor Jean Reno. After t the traditional photographs taken, the crew of Audi Azzurra Sailing Team boarded the boat for some sailing on the waters off Cascais. The Audi MedCup circuit officially begins tomorrow, 17th May with a Training Race, while racing proper will begin from 18th May.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan, godmother of Azzurra declared: "It is moving for me to be the godmother of a new vessel bearing the name Azzurra as it brings back memories of unique moments when the challenge for the America's Cup, launched by the YCCS, inspired a passion for sailing that had never been seen in Italy up until then. Today's Azzurra, thanks to her owner YCCS member Alberto Roemmers, inherits the spirit of that challenge and the more recent ones in the Louis Vuitton Trophy and brings the YCCS burgee to the Audi MedCup."

Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda commented: "Today is the beginning of a new adventure for Azzurra, a name that contributed to many Italians falling in love with sailing and with our seas. In 1983 Princess Zahra Aga Khan's mother was Azzurra's godmother and she is carrying on the tradition after having baptised the two VOR60 boats that participated in the round the world race in 2000, one of which had an all-female crew. After Azzurra's winning return in 2009 in the LV Trophy, we are here today at the start of the Audi MedCup knowing that we are competing at the highest level of professional sailing. We would like to thank our partner Audi, in particular Lothar Korn and Michael Frisch, and our member Alberto Roemmers - owner of the TP52 Azzurra - for having brought the name of Azzurra and the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda to this new adventure."

AUDI AZZURRA SAILING TEAM

Guillermo Parada - Skipper and Helmsman

Francesco Bruni - Tactician

Vasco Vascotto - Strategist

Bruno Zirilli - Navigator

Paul Westlake - Mainsail

Mariano Caputo - Bowman

Pedro Rossi - Mid Bow

Juan Pablo Cadario - Pitman

Maciel Cichetti - Trimmer

Mariano Parada - Trimmer

Simon Fry - Trimmer

Gabriel Marino - Grinder

Alejandro Colla - Grinder

Boat Captain: Pedro Rossi

Owner: Alberto Roemmers

Information from Audi Azzurra Sailing Team

Related Tags: #Princess #Zahra Aga Khan #Christen #TP52 #Azzurra #Cascais #Portugal #Audi #MedCup

(Extract of the article)


Back to top