Spithill Beats Coutts

As an absolute beginner in the competition, Luna Rossa won the fifth edition of the Heat La Sfida. The Aussie James SPITHILL collected a straight 2 – 0 against Russell COUTTS’ team.

Spithill, with his tactician Michele IVALDI, has now won the event for the second time in a row, having won last year under the colours of the US team One World.

“It’s been a strong emotion to beat a champion like Russell Coutts – said 25 year-old Spithill – to race on identical boats is very stimulating and it’s good for the team, mostly thinking about the next series of racing dates. We’re going to go back to work since tomorrow, because we’re already focused on Valencia”.

During the morning Coutts got to the finals beating Kelvin HARRAP 2-1 at the helm of the other New Zealand Team of Emirates Team New Zealand. Having lost the first match he won twice in 2 very hard and spectacular matches.

Yesterday evening at 6 pm the prize giving ceremony took place at the Generali Point, the main sponsor’s Hospitality Stand. Luna Rossa received its prize from the hands of Trieste’s Mayor Roberto Di piazza and the local president of the Province, Fabio SCOCCIMARRO.

The Heat La Sfida, organized by Consorzio TuttaTrieste!, in collaboration with Yacht Club Adriaco, wishes to thank its sponsors: Generali, Slam, Trieste Expo 2008, Provincia and Comune di Trieste, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Trieste, Camera di Commercio and Autorità Portuale di Trieste.

Final Ranking List, La Sfida 2004

1 Luna Rossa, James Spithill
2 Team Russel Coutts, Russel Coutts
3 Italian Challenger, Paolo Cian
4 Emirate Team New Zealand, Kelvin Harrap
5 Mascalzone Latino, John Cutler
6 Toscana Challenge, Roberto Ferrarese