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The races commence today in the incomparable surroundings of the Italian island of Sardinia. There are six races programmed for the event (two coastal and four inshore), which will draw to a close on Saturday. Two new vessels have joined the fleet for the fifth and final event in the Circuit, the Audi Cup - the Irish Patches and the American boat Sjambok. 2000 Laser and 2004 Finn Olympic Champion AINSLIE and BRADY are amongst the new names appearing on the crew lists for this event.

There is much at stake for the closing event in the circuit. Leading the rankings in the Breitling MEDCUP at the moment are the Italian-Chilean Pisco Sour, skippered by VASCOTTO, and Bribón, skippered by HM Juan Carlos in the Corinthian category (for owner drivers). Strong winds have been blowing, meaning that on Monday only the Irish team Patches took to the waves to train. The forecast indicated a drop in wind-speed for today.

Ten vessels will be on the start line: Pisco Sour, the leader of the rankings ever since her stunning victory in Valencia, Sapin (the second Breitling MEDCUP event), skippered by VASCOTTO, who will fiercely defend their five point advantage; Lexus Quantum, the winner of the last two events, with Russell COUTTS (NZL) as skipper; in third place Caixa Galicia, skippered by Volvo Ocean Race sailor Roberto BERMÚDEZ DE CASTRO and with John KOSTECKI (USA) as tactician. Next in the scoreboard is Italian Orlanda-Olympus, skippered by Lorenzo BRESSANNI: Bribón, skippered by HM Juan Carlos, which on this occasion will have Augie DIAZ (USA) reinforcing the afterguard; Aifos, owned by the Spanish Navy; and Balearia, with 2004 49er Olympic gold medallist Iker MARTINEZ onboard. Two new competitors are in Porto Rotondo to sample a taste of the Grand Prix sailing: the Irish vessel Patches 52, with AINSLIE and Ian WALKER (GBR) as skipper and Sjambok, from USA. BRADY will skipper Sjambok and Dee SMITH (USA) has joined the team after competing in previous events with Caixa Galicia.

There is a coastal race programmed for today, the opening day of the fifth and final event in the Breitlin MEDCUP TP52 2005 circuit.