Azzurra
Azzurra is a yacht racing team that competed in America's Cup, the Audi MedCup and the 52 Super Series for the yacht club Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
| Azzurra | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Career | |
| Yacht club |  |
| Established | 1982 |
| Nation |  |
| Team principal(s) | Riccardo Bonadeo |
| Skipper | Francesco Bruni |
| Notable victories | Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice Côte d’Azur |
| Yachts | |
| Sail no. | Boat name |
History
Managed by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo and funded by Aga Khan IV and Gianni Agnelli, Azzurra began to compete in 1982. They competed in the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup in Newport with Azzurra (I–4), but were not able to advance to the 1983 America's Cup. Ambrosini was involved with the construction of the yachts. Skippered by Cino Ricci and with Mauro Pelaschier on the helm, the original Azzurra team won 24 of 49 races and developed a large and loyal following in Italy.
After finishing fifth in the 1985 World Championships with Azzurra II (I–8) Azzurra financed the construction of two more boats for the America's Cup, Azzurra III (I–10) and Azzurra IV (I–11). The yacht club was the challenger of record for the challenge, and did a very impressive job organizing and administrating the two-hundred and twenty-three races of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Their own boat did not advance out of the round robins section of the 1987 Louis Vuitton Cup.
In 2009 and 2010, the team sailed for the Louis Vuitton Trophy.
The team was relaunched for the Audi MedCup and the 52 Super Series.