The Magic Sailing Team was founded in 1997:
its main aim was to bring together a highly
professional group of men capable of coping
both with sailing yachts and with important
international sailing events.
Throughout 1998,
work focussed on developing the team spirit;
the crew also took part in various sailing events
where some measure of success encouraged them
in their efforts, such as the third place both
in Grado 2 at Umag and in the Italian Championship
Match Race.
1999
saw the whole Team involved with the design
of the new Frers Open, SHINING, an entirely
innovative yacht that was seen for the first
time at the Barcolana after a lengthy development
process at the shipyard. During this prestigious
regatta, SHINING (called “@dria.com”
for the occasion) demonstrated some of her potential
by gaining third place at sea, a position that
was subsequently converted into a victory following
the disqualification of her opponents. Finally,
winning the Italian Match Race title thanks
to Roberto Ferrarese, with several members of
the Magic Sailing Team in his crew, was a fitting
end to the 1999 season.
In
2000, the Team began with
the Portofino Zegna Trophy, characterized by the
presence of the Team's godmother, Maria Grazia
Cucinotta, on board SHINING during the regatta.
Then came the Portofino-Capri race, which turned
into an exciting duel between SHINING and "Riviera
di Rimini”. After the Giraglia at St. Tropez,
real satisfaction finally came in October with
the hat-trick of victories
at Trieste’s Bernetti Trophy, Super Open
Trophy and Barcolana events. During
this last event, Shining and its crew completed
an impeccable regatta in really prohibitive conditions.
A victory that will go down in history.
In
2001, Shining made a new
record
of 54 hours 46’
12” at the Roma
per Tutti race in the monohull
category. During the Autumn of 2001, the Team
embarked on a new adventure, taking part in the
Winter Championships of the UFO
one-design class. A positive experience that has
kept the Team on its toes, in a new field - one
that has proved highly technical.
2002
kicked off with the Spring Championships, again
for the UFO class, though the Team only showed
its full worth in October during the Trieste week
of races. By chartering the 78-footer Idea, the
Team was able to take part in the Super
OpenTrophy
and Barcolana regatta, calling
the boat “Uniflair” for the occasion.
It also competed in the Port
of Trieste Trophy race with the
UFO. The Team swept
the board with three beautiful successes,
though the Barcolana race remains the most coveted
crown. Once again, following its 1999 and 2000
wins, the Magic Sailing Team brought home the
Autumn Cup, proof that it boasts a winning organization
both at sea and on shore.
