Farr 40 Worlds

Mascalzone Latino Makes it Three World Titles in a Row

April 19, 2008

Miami Beach, Fla. USA - Vincenzo Onorato and his Mascalzone Latino are the 2008 Rolex Farr 40 World Champions, achieving a first in the sailing world - three back-to-back victories in this ultra-competitive one design class. This evening in addition to the World Cup, Onorato was presented with a commemorative Rolex timepiece at the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship Awards party.

The Rolex Farr 40 World Championship Awards Party took place at the Paris Studio in Miami Beach. Vincenzo Onorato, owner/helmsman of MASCALZONE LATINO was awarded the Farr 40 World Cup trophy and a Rolex Yacht-Master timepiece in Rolesium by Peter Nicholson, Rolex Watch U.S.A. Photo: Rolex/Daniel Forster

"As I told my crew before the start, it is quite impossible to do," said Onorato of winning again. "But we did it, thank God. It was a tough week." What makes this accomplishment even more remarkable is that Onorato had not one, but two substitutes for regular tactician Adrian Stead in Morgan Larson and John Kostecki.

"It is incredible for a good reason," said Onorato who has competed in the Farr 40s since the class's early days. "Driving was a lot of stress for me; I had to tune up with another guy each day. John is an incredible talent. To be able to tune up with a guy like him is fantastic."

Arriving on the dock the moment Mascalzone departed for the first race of the 10-race series, Morgan Larson assisted in the team's 3-12-1 results that put them into first overall. When Kostecki joined the team the next day, he admitted there was considerable pressure maintaining the standard set before him.

Reported from the main committee boat by Ian Burman of Stagg Yachts

1735 - We have a champion!!! For the third straight year, Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino has claimed the title of Rolex Farr 40 World Champion. After a tense hearing, the jury has decided unanimously to disqualify Joe Fly from race #9. Congratulations to Vincenzo Onorato and his team for a very well sailed regatta. Final Results have been posted here: http://www.farr40worlds.com/content/view/70/1/

1725 - The testimonies are over and all of the competitors have left the jury alone to deliberate. You can feel the tension in the air as victory in the 2008 Rolex Farr 40 World Championship hangs in the balance.

1710 - And the protest continues. . . After hearing testimony from the first three boat representatives, representatives from Mean Machine and Nerone have been called in as witnesses to the incident.

Peter Nicholson (Rolex USA), Lionel Schurch (Rolex Geneva), Geoff Stagg and Denis Comment (Rolex Caribbean) - Tom Ehman

1700 - Today is Rolex Race Day, named for our generous title sponsor Rolex. Rolex has been the sponsor of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship every year since 2001 and each winner of the event receives a prestigious engraved Rolex time piece. Rolex also produces the fantastic “Spirit of Yachting” video, which features the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship prominently. The Farr 40 class is extremely fortunate to have Rolex as the title sponsor of its championship.

1655 - Mascalzone Latino has filed its protest on shore within the protest time limit. Representatives of Mascalzone Latino, Barking Mad and Joe Fly are in the room now, telling thier stories to the international jury. Apparently, the protest has been deemed valid and will be heard. The protest time limit has now expired and this is the only protest which has been recieved by the jury.

1540 - The provisional results have been posted here - http://www.farr40worlds.com/content/view/70/1/. When all outstanding protests have been solved and the results are declared final, we will post them here right away. Special thanks today to Bob Fisher, who provided priceless commentary to add to this report. More thanks goes to regatta scorer Cindy Saunders and Jury Chair Tom Ehman for their photos of the action. Thanks to Rolex for making today possible. Congratulations to Giovanni Maspero and Vincenzo Onorato and their teams for sailing a fantastic event, no matter the outcome in the room.

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