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| © Mascalzone Latino |
Vincenzo ONORATO and his Mascalzone Latino sailing team claimed a sailing first in 2008 when they won the Rolex Farr40 World Champion title for an unprecedented third consecutive year.
ONORATO has only once not finished on the podium of a Farr40 event in 2008 and his list of accolades includes second place at the prestigious ISAF Offshore Team World Championships in Sardinia and the European title.
The first event for the Mascalzone Latino team in 2008 was Acura Key West Race Week, where ONORATO lead his team to the podium and a silver medal. From Key West to Miami and another silver medal at the Acura Miami Race Week, the team were set for their defence of the World Championship title in April.
After finishing in tenth place at the Pre-Worlds, ONORATO got down to business. Only finishing two races outside the top ten, the Italian team lead the overall standings from day one. In an all Italian showdown for the title on the final day of racing it was to be ONORATO’s day. He finished the series 24 points ahead of second placed Joe Fly skippered by Giovanni MASPERO to win his third World Championship.
ONORATO’s commitment to the Farr40 class is tireless and his results speak for themselves. The intense, competitive Farr40 racing is not for the faint hearted and the talented Italian wrapped up the nomination period by adding the European crown to his World title at the Rolex Farr40 European Championship in Travemunde, Germany.
2 - Acura Key West Race Week, Key West, USA - Jan 2008
2 - Acura Miami Race Week, Miami, USA - Mar 2008
10 - Rolex Farr40 Pre-Worlds, Miami, USA - Apr 2008
1 - Rolex Farr40 World Championship, Miami, USA - Apr 2008
3 - Audi Farr40 Cup, Sardinia, ITA - Jun 2008
2 - Rolex Sardinia Cup ISAF Team Offshore World Championship, Sardinia, ITA - Jun 2008 (team result)
1 - Farr40 Copenhagen Regatta, Copenhagen, DEN - Jul 2008
1 - Rolex Farr40 European Championship, Travemunde, GER - Aug 2008
1 - Circuit Nordic European Farr40 2008
| Name |
Vincenzo ONORATO |
| Place of birth |
Naples, Italy |
| Date of birth |
15 May 1957 |
| Profession |
Shipowner |
| ISAF Sailor ID |
ITAVO1 |
| What inspired you to take up sailing? |
Sailing on my father's cutter in the 60s when I was a kid |
| What was the first boat you sailed and how old were you? |
I started club races in Naples on 1970 |
| Name your first sailing club |
Lega Navale Italiana sezione Napoli |
| What was the first event you competed in and when? |
Neapolitan I.O.R. Championship 1978 |
| What was the first event you won and when? |
Neapolitan I.O.R. Championship 1978 |
| What are your personal highlights of your career to date? |
C.I.M. International Med Championship - Quarter Tonner 1984 - 1st place
IMS World Champhionship - Newport 2000 - 1st place
Mumm 30 World Champhionship - Miami 2000 - 1st place
ISAF Offshore Team World Championship Rolex Sardinia Cup - Porto Cervo 2006 - 1st place
Rolex Farr 40 Worlds - Newport 2006 - 1st place
Rolex Farr 40 Worlds - Copenhagen 2007 - 1st place
ISAF Offshore Team World Championship Rolex Sardinia Cup - Porto Cervo 2008 - 2nd place
Rolex Farr 40 Worlds - Miami 2008 - 1st place
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| What are your future sailing goals? |
To participate in all Farr 40 events around the world |
| Who has had the greatest impact on your sailing career and why? |
My father. He was remembering me when he was sailing on his father sailing ship at the beginning of the Century, at the end of the era of sailing ships |
| Who is your sailing hero? |
Eric TABARLY |
| What other sports do you enjoy? |
Fishing |
| What does being nominated for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards mean to you? |
This is the second time and I still don't believe that! |
| If you were voted as the winner, what would this mean to you? |
I'd need time to realize that: there are thousands sailors that deserve this prestigious award more than me; I consider myself just a passionated amateur sailor not more than this. |
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