Italians win Argo Gold Cup

Francesco Bruni of Italy is the winner of this year’s Argo Gold Cup.

The Italian team roared to the finish after a tight contest today in gusty conditions in Hamilton Harbour.

Bruni’s Luna Rossa team won the first two races, but the British, Sir Ben Ainslie’s BART/Argo Group, clinched the next two.

In the final race however, Bruni and his team extended their lead to clinch the coveted sailing trophy, 3-2.

It is the first time an Italian has won the King Edward VII Gold Cup.

Defending champion Taylor Canfield (US Virgin Islands/USone), came third and Adam Minoprio (New Zealand/Team Alpari FX) fourth.

Today was a busy day of racing due to the cancellation of yesterday’s semi-finals because of light conditions.

The competitors however, were rewarded with strong winds today, resulting in some exciting racing.

Sir Ben told the Bermuda Sun: “It was a great event, an amazing final.

“We really enjoyed being here and have appreciated all the support for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.

“That is also what we came here for. Other than to race we wanted to raise awareness of the Foundation.

“It was a great day’s sailing. Francesco Bruni and his team sailed very well and deserved to win.”

He added: “Everyone in Bermuda has been very hospitable. It’s a home away from home here for us, and I’ve loved being here.”

Sir Ben came to Bermuda fresh from taking the Americans to a last-gasp victory in America’s Cup, as team tactician on the Oracle AC72.

He won the Argo Gold Cup in 2009 and 2010 and is the most successful Olympian sailor, winning four gold medals and a silver.

Teammate Iain Percy OBE is also an Olympic gold medalist for Britain and is a skipper with Artemis Racing in the America’s Cup.

Percy said: “We weren’t really on our game, but we were here for different reasons, for the Andrew Simpson (Sailing) Foundation. We were here for Bart.”

Simpson was a gold Olympic medallist and America’s Cup sailor who was killed in a sailing accident on San Francisco Bay in May.

Known as ‘Bart’ to his friends, Simpson was passionate about inspiring the next generation of sailors.

After his death, his friends Sir Ben and Percy joined his wife, Leah, in setting up the Foundation to continue his legacy of encouraging young people to sail.

Today’s Junior Gold Cup finals saw young sailors enjoy a day of thrills and spills on the water.

The Harbour Race and its Anniversary Trophy was won by Hattie Rogers of Britain. Rogers was the overall top female finisher, coming 5th overall.

The top Bermudian junior was Campbell Patton, who came 7th overall. Patton was awarded the Dick Kempe trophy.

The winner of the Junior Gold Cup title was Milo Gill-Taylor of Britain. Max Quirk of Australia was second and Lucas Hesse third.

Jonathan Brewin, commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), said: “This was an outstanding week, with the world’s top sailors performing in great conditions in the harbour.

“Combined with the Gold Cup was the Junior Gold Cup — again, a truly international event.

“The top class sailing this week has given these international visitors a wonderful experience of Bermuda.”

The Argo Gold Cup is part of the World Match Racing Tour and is sponsored by the Argo Group, Renaissance Re and Bermuda Department of Tourism. It is hosted by the RBYC.

The King Edward VII Gold Cup is the oldest match-racing trophy in the world for one-design yachts.

It was first presented at the Tri-Centenary Regatta at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1907 by King Edward VII to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first permanent settlement of America.

C. Sherman Hoyt was the first to accept the cup and gave it to the RBYC for a regular one-on-one match-race series in six-metre yachts.