The Trapani Cup is a new race on the RC44 Championship Tour - one of the most respected events on the international yacht racing circuit. <br />
The Trapani Cup is a new race on the RC44 Championship Tour - one of the most respected events on the international yacht racing circuit.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
It is based in the picturesque city of Trapani on the west coast of Sicily, where for five days in May billionaires descend in their private jets to race alongside the biggest names in sailing.
It is based in the picturesque city of Trapani on the west coast of Sicily, where for five days in May billionaires descend in their private jets to race alongside the biggest names in sailing.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
The rich and famous enjoying big boats is nothing usual, but this time it's not all pleasure. Global business leaders, many of them from Russia, have to put the work in as race drivers, and every owner has a professional crew, including a world class sailor as their tactician. So far, sailing masters like the World and European Champion Sailor Morgan Larson, and the 2007 America's Cup winner Ed Baird have taken part.
The rich and famous enjoying big boats is nothing usual, but this time it's not all pleasure. Global business leaders, many of them from Russia, have to put the work in as race drivers, and every owner has a professional crew, including a world class sailor as their tactician. So far, sailing masters like the World and European Champion Sailor Morgan Larson, and the 2007 America's Cup winner Ed Baird have taken part.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
Indulging a passion for racing on this level doesn't come cheap - a new boat costs 500,000 Euros, and owners spend between 400,000 and 800,000 Euros a year competing on the international race circuit.
Indulging a passion for racing on this level doesn't come cheap - a new boat costs 500,000 Euros, and owners spend between 400,000 and 800,000 Euros a year competing on the international race circuit.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
All boats are identical in terms of construction, shape of the hull and appendages, weight distribution, deck layout and equipment.<br />Each team is also limited to the number of sails they can use at every event, which means that a boat's performance is purely down to teamwork.<br />
All boats are identical in terms of construction, shape of the hull and appendages, weight distribution, deck layout and equipment.
Each team is also limited to the number of sails they can use at every event, which means that a boat's performance is purely down to teamwork.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
The RC44 Championship Tour is made up of two elements - fleet racing and match racing. With a strict 50-50 split between amateurs and professionals in each eight-person crew, the amateur owners take the wheel for the fleet racing, while the pro skippers get their chance to shine during the match race.
The RC44 Championship Tour is made up of two elements - fleet racing and match racing. With a strict 50-50 split between amateurs and professionals in each eight-person crew, the amateur owners take the wheel for the fleet racing, while the pro skippers get their chance to shine during the match race.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
The 2012 Tour had 16 competing boats, and in 2013 a change in the rules opened the door for the first all female crew to join the fleet.
The 2012 Tour had 16 competing boats, and in 2013 a change in the rules opened the door for the first all female crew to join the fleet.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
The RC44 Tour goes to the best sailing spots across the world, and the boats, which are made entirely of carbon and have a removable stern and keel fin attachment, are transported in customized 40 foot containers.
The RC44 Tour goes to the best sailing spots across the world, and the boats, which are made entirely of carbon and have a removable stern and keel fin attachment, are transported in customized 40 foot containers.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
Last year's fleet race winner was Team Aqua from Great Britain owned by Christopher Bake, director of one of the world's largest energy trading companies, Vitol, and the match race was conquered by Russia's Synergy, owned by Moscow businesman Valentin Zavadnikov.
Last year's fleet race winner was Team Aqua from Great Britain owned by Christopher Bake, director of one of the world's largest energy trading companies, Vitol, and the match race was conquered by Russia's Synergy, owned by Moscow businesman Valentin Zavadnikov.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44
Trapani, whose blend of medieval and baroque architecture attracts thousands of tourists each year, is famous on the yacht racing circuit for its strong winds and clear waters. It has hosted Acts 8 and 9 of the prestigious Louis Vuitton Cup series in 2005, as well as the Extreme Sailing Series.
Trapani, whose blend of medieval and baroque architecture attracts thousands of tourists each year, is famous on the yacht racing circuit for its strong winds and clear waters. It has hosted Acts 8 and 9 of the prestigious Louis Vuitton Cup series in 2005, as well as the Extreme Sailing Series.
Courtesy Martinez Studio/RC44