Audi Sailing Champions League Final starts tomorrow

Registration procedures concluded today for the Audi SAILING Champions League Final, an event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) in conjunction with the SAILING Champions League and in collaboration with title sponsor Audi and Technical Partner Quantum Sails. 

The third edition of the SAILING Champions League Final has gathered 32 teams from 14 different nations in Porto Cervo to represent the world's most prestigious Yacht Clubs. Competition for the title of "Best Sailing Club" will run from tomorrow, Friday 22nd September, through Sunday 24th September.

The participating clubs have qualified through their individual national leagues and two successive qualification legs in St. Petersburg and St. Moritz, while last year's winning team and the host Club automatically gain access to the final. A maximum of 48 races will be held on the regatta course off Porto Cervo aboard the YCCS J/70 fleet. The event format, featuring short, fast windward-leeward fleet races, promises a weekend of hard-fought competition.

Favourites for this edition include the Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV), winners of the first qualification leg, Segelclub Mattsee (SCM), victors in the second leg, and the Deutscher Touring Yacht-Club, holders of the Best Sailing Club 2016 title. Representing Italy will be the home team from YCCS and the Circolo Canottieri Aniene (CCA).

"I am pleased to round off a special sporting season, in which we celebrated our 50th anniversary, with the Audi SAILING Champions League Final. Events like this one underline our commitment to inter-club initiatives which help promote sailing among young people. I would like to thank Audi, our partner and title sponsor of this event, who support us and share our values. We are honoured to host 32 teams from the most prestigious yacht clubs for our 50th birthday." commented Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Commodore, Riccardo Bonadeo.

A busy sporting programme will be accompanied by social events which kick off tomorrow evening with the Opening Ceremony in Piazza Azzurra. A Team BBQ Dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse will follow on Saturday and proceedings will conclude with the Final Prize Giving Ceremony on 24th September.

The first starting signal is scheduled for tomorrow, 22nd September at 11.30 with light breezes forecast