Paolo Massarini talks about the GP42 class
May 28, 2008 by International GP42 Association | 0 comments
Paolo Massarini, manager of the GP42 class, talked to the renowned New Zealand journalist Jim Bolland about the present and future of the GP42's.
Paolo Massarini, manager of the GP42 class, talked to the renowned New Zealand journalist Jim Bolland about the present and future of the GP42’s.
The current difficult situation of the America’s Cup is obviously affecting the sports of sailing in general but the GP42 class is receiving a lot of enquiries from important owners of different classes intending to jump on board the GP42’s for the 2009 season. With the help of its sponsors, such as Quebramar, the class will prosper and will be able to reach an enviable level of success very soon.
A Brush With Sail: Paolo, is it fair to say that as the regatta circuit moves closer to Spain the number of yachts competing for the QUEBRAMAR GP42 CUP will increase?
Paolo Massarini: The increasing number of new boats coming from not Spanish countries characterizes the 2008 fleet. Three new boats have been built and none from Spain. The only “new” Spanish boat is a 2007 project never launched last year. Having said that, it is well known how Spanish owners and Sponsors would be be interested only in the Spanish fields. It was extremely positive to see three Spanish teams competing in Santa Margherita. For sure the class will see bigger numbers in Valencia and in Palma but we all know that these events are located in areas where every owner would like to sail.
A Brush With Sail: With regatta entries appearing to be similar to last season’s GP42 championship, the Class’s development appears to have stalled at this stage. Does the Class management agree with this?
Paolo Massarini: The Class is not stalled as there are three (four with the 2007 one) new boats in the water. The level has also increased, if possible, with many more America’s Cup and Olympic sailors present. The uncertain situation of the America’s Cup has not helped to make clear plans in time. Some AC Teams of course, due to the budgets they have available and to the boats sizes, have preferred to race the 52s.
A Brush With Sail: If the GP42 Class management does NOT agree with this, what development is planned or underway that has not been announced to the press?
Paolo Massarini: We strongly believe that there is a great confusion around the sailing high level competition and when the AC situation is solved some better planning will be possible. On the other hand, the proliferation of new classes and the lack of control of the racing calendars are negatively influencing the development of ORC newly launched classes. The philosophy of the GP42 management has always been not to create new events in a messy racing calendar but if the needed attention will not be given to the level of our competition, well, we will be obliged to go towards other solutions.
A Brush With Sail: If the management DOES agree that the Class is temporally stalled in development, does it agree that the TP52 class is casting too much of a ‘glamour shadow’ over the smaller GP42’s progress?
Paolo Massarini: Having in mind that the Management does NOT agree with the concept of stall, for the mentioned reasons, we are really happy to see the TP52 growing in glamour and number. Nevertheless we are receiving a lot of enquiries from important owners of different classes intending to jump on board of the GP42 for the 2009 season. So, yes we are smaller but we need also to remember how long was the start of the success of the 52s. We are really confident that of course with the help of sponsors such as Quebramar, we will be able to reach the same success and more stability soon.
A Brush With Sail: Thank you Paolo. We look forward to the continuing growth in the GP42 Class and next round of the QUEBRAMAR GP42 CUP at St. Tropez, France, June 8 – 10.
