RAN RACING Wins at Audi Sailing Week - 52 Super Series

It was Niklas Zennstrom's Ran Racing on the top step of the podium followed at just one point by Vladimir Liubomirov's Bronenosec at the final at Audi Sailing Week - 52 Super Series organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of Title Sponsor Audi. Doug DeVos' Quantum Racing finished in third place.

The ten TP52s racing were lined up in the waters off Porto Cervo punctually at 12 noon, ready to start the windward/leeward courses scheduled for the fifth day and final day of racing at this event. The northwesterly winds at 18 to 20 knots built during the day to 24.

First across the finish line in the first race was Bronenosec, who got their first first place finish at this event, followed by Quantum Racing and Azzurra. But there were surprises in store for the second race when Quantum Racing, who had been in the lead up until yesterday, had to withdraw after she broke a stay. That left three contenders, all of whom were tied for points: Bronenosec, Ran Racing and Provezza IX.

The Turkish team aboard Provezza IX made an error during their hoist on the final downwind leg and placed seventh, but the Swedish team aboard Ran Racing sailed well and placed second, winning the top spot on the podium. Bronenosec, with Tommaso Chieffi and Morgan Larson in the afterguard, placed third in the second race and second overall. Quantum Racing, even though her team had to withdraw in the second race, placed third overall at this event thanks to the advantage they had going into racing today.

Niklas Zennstrom, owner/helmsman aboard Ran Racing: "It has been an fantastic week here in Costa Smeralda. The weather in the past few days has been perfect and that's why we love to sail here. We always feel welcome at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. It's a beautiful place and we can't wait to come back!".

Azzurra missed the podium by just one point and placed fourth overall after sailing well today. She placed third in the first race and first in the second, showing how well her team sails in stronger winds. With today's result under her belt, Azzurra is currently in first place in the overall results in the 52 Super Series, followed by Platoon and Quantum Racing.

Riccardo Bonadeo, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's Commodore said, "We are really happy to have spent these past five exciting days with the TP52 fleet. We feel strong ties to the 52 Super Series both for the level of competition that you find here and because Azzurra, the yacht that flies our burgee, competes in the Series. Today she got a great win. We know that we won't have the Series back here in 2018, but we're expecting you in 2019.

"I want to thank all of the Owners, their teams, the Jury, the Race Committee, our staff. And a special thanks goes to our Title Sponsor Audi for the help and support they have given us during the event and over the years of an excellent collaboration."

During the prize giving ceremony the top winner was also awarded a nine axis solid state compass, the second placed team a GNX 120 mast display and the third placed team a GPS 19x antenna. All awards were thanks to Official Technical Partner Garmin.