Shipowner Vinzenzo Onorato (Moby Lines) has honoured his vow. "We'll be back," he said at the last Cup after his unfortunate elimination with Team Mascalzone Latino. Now he has been officially accepted by the America's Cup management as the ninth challenger.
Despite his announcement at the time, Onorato's message was uncertain for a long time. He had been searching intensively for an additional financial backer alongside his own company and had already started negotiations about a joint venture with the Spanish. These plans fell through and the third Italian team did not appear to be able to start.
But the late rebirth of Team Mascalzone, which scored points in Auckland less for its sporting performance than for its likeable demeanour, was finally made possible by the entry of the bank Capitalia. Rumour has it that the budget is 60 million euros. This would make the Italians one of the big names in the league.
This matched Onorato's ambition, who described the 2003 appearance with only one new build as a "taster" and wants to attack this time. To this end, he has bought the two Stars&Stripes boats, USA 66 and USA 77, from Team Dennis Conner, which is considered a very valuable package in the scene. He also has his own boat ITA 72 at his disposal.
The new team will once again consist solely of Italian sailors. The skipper and tactician is the well-known professional Vasco Vascotto, albeit a newcomer to the America's Cup. Flavio Favini will be at the helm. He was the Mascalzone tactician in the Auckland campaign. Onorato will once again be racing for the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia.
