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4 May 2007, 12:00 pm

Record International Fleet Includes Three US Favourites

Rolex Capri Sailing Week 2007

Capri, Italy

Now a firm fixture on the Mediterranean racing calendar, the Rolex Capri Sailing Week in 2007 will welcome a record fleet of Farr 40, Swan 45, Mini Maxi and Comets to Capri's Marina Grande for four days of racing from 15-19 May on the Gulf of Naples. Representing 14 nations, 55 yachts have registered for this third edition of the regatta organized by the Yacht Club Capri in collaboration with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.

The competition is sure to be fierce as the regatta constitutes an official leg of the 2007 Farr 40 European Circuit, the Swan 45 World and Mediterranean Circuits, and the IMA Mini Maxi Division Circuit.

In the 19-strong Farr 40 fleet, all eyes will be on Vincenzo ONORATO (ITA), the class's 2006 World Champion on Mascalzone Latino. To successfully defend his division title in Capri he will need to be in top form against class stalwarts Jim RICHARDSON (USA), the two-time World Champion aboard Barking Mad, Helmut JAN (USA) on Flash Gordon and Matt ALLEN (AUS), who placed second with Ichi Ban at the 2006 Worlds.

New Faces

Danilo SALSI (ITA) and Leonardo FERRAGAMO (ITA), winners of Rolex Capri Sailing Week in, respectively, 2005 and 2006, will face off in the 15-boat Swan 45 division. SALSI's experienced team, aboard DSK, can expect to attract attention following their victory in last December's Rolex Sydney Hobart. Competing for the first time in Capri are Yukihiro ISHIDA (JPN) aboard Yasha, and Dick WEISMANN (USA), whose Vixen finished second behind SALSI at the 2006 Rolex Swan Cup.

'We are delighted, in this our 40th anniversary year, to renew our collaboration with the Yacht Club Capri in the organization of this rapidly evolving event which marks the beginning of the Mediterranean sailing season,' said Gianfranco ALBERINI, Commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. 'With a record fleet and a record number of international entries we are certain to see some great sailing during the week.'

'This week will see us united in a celebration of friendship and sporting values set against the stunning backdrop of Capri, whose unique atmosphere lends magic to all of the sailing events held in the Gulf of Naples,' added Massimo MASSACCESI, President of the Yacht Club Capri.