LOCMAN CUP 2006 - ELBA ISLAND

The prestigious sailing appointment at the Elba Island changes its name. For its 5th edition the event takes on the new name Locman Cup-Isola d’Elba.

“This year Locman – as declared Marco Mantovani, chairman and ceo of Locman Italy, the famous watch-making house having its headquarters on the Elba Island – wanted to be even closer to this extraordinary regatta that for five years has been involving the most important teams and the best specialists in the world of the match race on the splendid waters of our island.”
The Locman Group, since the first edition, promoted and supported this and other events and undertakings aimed at transmitting a good image of this territory.
The fifth edition of the Locman Cup-Isola d’Elba, planned for July 7 to 16, 2006, is the last and the only Italian relay of the World Match Racing Tour 2005/06, the professional world circuit of the match race. With its prize stock of 100.000 euro, it is one among the most important events of the international sailing calendar.

Within the picturesque frame of the Porto Azzurro bay, a surprising natural amphitheater, it will be possible to follow from a close distance the thrilling duels between Peter Gilmour (PST), who is about to win his third consecutive title of the circuit championship, and skippers such as Ian Ainsle (Team Shosholoza), Cameron Dunn (Mascalzone Latino - Team Capitalia), Thierry Peponnet (Areva Challenge),
Staffan Lindberg (Alandia Sailing Team), second in the general circuit rank, Pierre Mas (China Team), Ian Williams (Williams Racing Team).
At its first appearance in the Locman-Cup there will also be the Locman Team with Giovanni Segnini as a coxswaine , who since 2003 takes part in ISAF events. The entirely Italian team will challenge the most famous coxswaines in the world in a passionate challenge on Elba’s green waters.

The organizers, who are looking forward to the last confirmations from the top teams of the America’s Cup that are participating in the Louis Vuitton Act 12 in Valencia, think there will be 12 teams at the start.
Peter Gilmour, who is already sure to win the World Match Racing Tour title, will be at Porto Azzurro and intends to conquer the Locman Cup - Isola d’Elba where he has been twice second in 2004 and 2005, defeated by Russell Coutts who will be missing this year.
As tradition wants, the winners will receive the homage of a Locman Italy watch expressly created for this event. An unmatched limited series of 2006 pieces with the logo of the famous sailing event engraved on the dial.
Locman-Cup, a duel with time on the infinite sea.