Audi MedCup
Encyclopedia
The Audi MedCup is a sailing
competition which began in 2005 and has turned into the world’s leading regatta circuit.
It is sailed in the TP52
and Soto 40 classes (previously the GP42 class in 2009-2010).
The circuit, which is sponsored by the German car manufacturer Audi
, is run annually throughout Southern Europe and, similar to the America's Cup
, continually attracts the best sailors in the world. The five-regatta circuit lasts five months starting in May and culminates in September.
The circuit is based on a one design race rule where every boat, in theory, has the same design. This leaves it to the skill of the sailors to decide the winner, much like Formula One. There is some leverage in the rule in that deck layouts can be adjusted and sail
s can be crafted differently but the main design features such as weight, beam, and mast height and sail area are restricted to this "box rule" standard.
While originally sailed only on TP52s, the Audi MedCup in 2009 became a two class regatta with the introduction of the GP42 class. In 2011 the GP42 was replaced as the second class by the One Design Soto 40.
It costs roughly 2.5 million Euros to build a brand new TP52 on which to race and an additional five hundred thousand to one million Euros for sails and deck gear. This plus the added cost of maintaining the yacht
and running a professional sailing campaign make the Audi MedCup one of the richest sailing circuits in the world.
Sailing (sport)
Sailing is a well organized and recognized sport.There is a broad variety of kinds of races and sailboats used for racing. Much racing is done around buoys or similar marks in protected waters, while some longer offshore races cross open water...
competition which began in 2005 and has turned into the world’s leading regatta circuit.
It is sailed in the TP52
TP 52 (yacht)
The Transpac 52 is a class of yacht used for competitive yacht racing. The class is recognised by the International Sailing Federation which entitles the class to hold an Official World Championships.-History:...
and Soto 40 classes (previously the GP42 class in 2009-2010).
The circuit, which is sponsored by the German car manufacturer Audi
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
, is run annually throughout Southern Europe and, similar to the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
, continually attracts the best sailors in the world. The five-regatta circuit lasts five months starting in May and culminates in September.
The circuit is based on a one design race rule where every boat, in theory, has the same design. This leaves it to the skill of the sailors to decide the winner, much like Formula One. There is some leverage in the rule in that deck layouts can be adjusted and sail
Sail
A sail is any type of surface intended to move a vessel, vehicle or rotor by being placed in a wind—in essence a propulsion wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
s can be crafted differently but the main design features such as weight, beam, and mast height and sail area are restricted to this "box rule" standard.
While originally sailed only on TP52s, the Audi MedCup in 2009 became a two class regatta with the introduction of the GP42 class. In 2011 the GP42 was replaced as the second class by the One Design Soto 40.
It costs roughly 2.5 million Euros to build a brand new TP52 on which to race and an additional five hundred thousand to one million Euros for sails and deck gear. This plus the added cost of maintaining the yacht
Yacht
A yacht is a recreational boat or ship. The term originated from the Dutch Jacht meaning "hunt". It was originally defined as a light fast sailing vessel used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries...
and running a professional sailing campaign make the Audi MedCup one of the richest sailing circuits in the world.
Audi MedCup Circuit 2010
| Regatta | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal Trophy | Cascais | May 11-16 |
| Marseille Trophy | Marseille | June 15-20 |
| Camper regatta Conde de Godó Trophy Barcelona | Barcelona | July 20-25 |
| Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy | Cartagena | August 24-29 |
| Region of Sardinia Trophy | Cagliari | September 20-25 |
Audi MedCup Circuit 2011
| Regatta | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal Trophy | Cascais | May 17-21 |
| Marseille Trophy | Marseille | June 14-19 |
| Region of Sardinia Trophy | Cagliari | July 19-24 |
| Region of Murcia Trophy | Cartagena | August 23-28 |
| Barcelona Trophy | Barcelona | September 12-17 |