With the GC32 Riva Cup on Lake Garda having just started with teams from eight nations, the GC32 Racing Tour has announced the arrival of a titan of sailing as its eleventh entry: Spain’s Iker Martinez, who is best known for his gold and silver 49er Olympic medals as well for skippering Team Telefónica in the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race.
For 2017, Martinez and his I’M Racing Movistar will be competing on the GC32 Racing Tour. Although he is new to the GC32, Martinez is familiar with catamarans having campaigned a Nacra 17 for the Rio 2016 Olympics. He also has previous experience of flying during the 2013 America’s Cup with Luna Rossa, on their SL33 and AC72 foiling catamarans. Sailing with Martinez are several Spaniards, notably Anton Paz, Fidel Turienzo, and Fernando Rivero. Also on board is Portuguese sailor Luís Brito.
Anonimo and the quest for adventure
With GC32s having recorded momentary peaks speed of around 40 knots over the last fortnight, so new for 2017 will be the pioneering Anonimo Speed Challenge – speed trials that will take place daily when conditions allow, with backing from the GC32 Racing Tour’s new timing partner, Anonimo.
A new adventure for the GC32 Racing Tour, the Anonimo Speed Challenge will see the foiling catamarans set off from the start line on a reach, will gybe around a mark and then reach back to the finish line. According to the GC32 Racing Tour's new Principal Race Officer, Stuart Childerley, the aim is for complete runs to take around two minutes. The runs will be timed and their average speeds recorded. To achieve top speeds, which will be above 30 knots conditions permitting, will require supreme team work on the part of the crews. The team with the fastest speed will be presented with an Anonimo Nautilo timepiece at the end of each event.
GC32 Riva Cup - teams
Les équipes en compétition sur la GC32 Riva Cup
Team Argo (USA) - Jason Carroll
ARMIN STROM Sailing Team (SUI) - Flavio Marazzi
Team BDA (BER) - Mackenzie Cooper
Codigo Rojo Sailing Team (ARG) - Federico Ferioli
Team ENGIE (FRA) - Sebastien Rogues
Team France Jeune (FRA) - Robin Follin
Malizia - Yacht Club de Monaco (MON) - Pierre Casiraghi
Mamma Aiuto! (JPN) - Naofumi Kamei
Realteam (SUI) - Jérôme Clerc
Team Tilt (SUI) - Sebastien Schneiter
I'M Racing Movistar (ESP) - Iker Martinez
2017 GC32 Racing Tour schedule
11-14 mai - GC32 Riva Cup / Riva del Garda, Italie
28 juin-1er juillet - GC32 Villasimius Cup / Villasimius, Sardaigne, Italie
2-5 août - 36e Copa del Rey / Palma de Majorque, Espagne
13-16 septembre - GC32 Orezza Corsica Cup / Calvi, Corse, France
12-15 octobre - Marseille One Design / Marseille, France
