Argo Challenge, the challenge to the America’s Cup with an international team of sailors and athletes with physical disabilities, will take part in the next Maxi Rolex Cup to be held in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, from 1st to 6th September 2008.

The team will compete on board “Atalanta II”, a maxy yacht owned by Carlo Puri Negri.

 Argo Challenge filed for participation to the 33rd America’s Cup back in October 2007 under the signs of yachting club “Club Nautico Gaeta”.

 However the well known facts regarding the court proceedings in New York have brought to a standstill all teams’ activities, and Argo too was stopped until today.

 Today Argo goes back at sea to achieve again the goal of being able to challenge the next America’s Cup. There is no better stage than the Maxi Rolex Cup to start again competing at the highest possible levels.

 Throughout a week, on the crystal clear waters of Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda, the most beautiful boats of the world, with the best crews of the world, ensure highly spectacular races and glamour.

 A very important role in this participation is that of Carlo Puri Negri, who has decided to join in project Argo with a great contribution. The well known Italian entrepreneur, keen and very good sailor himself, is not new to initiatives in support for disabled people.

 His previous boat Grampus was used by the association “Matti per la vela” to help out in the therapy for psycho-physical disabilities.

 “I believe a project like Argo has a sound value both from sport viewpoint and from a social one.

When Lars Grael and Antonio Spinelli presented me this project I immediately decided to sustain their endeavours.

I am positive that this years the races in Porto Cervo will have a special flavour.” said Carlo Puri Negri.

Lars Grael, world leading Brazilian sailor and skipper of the team that in these months under the Argo banner has achieved astounding results in Star Class, was really happy and said: “It is truly important for us to go back at sea again. Even though after our win at the Voiles de Saint Tropez with French Kiss we have convinced everybody of the quality of our challenge to the America’s Cup, it is good to keep racing to improve and consolidate our squad.”

Antonio Spinelli, president of the association ideaArgo, remarks: ”We had to give a strong signal that our project is still live and well, and that behind the scenes we have worked all the time. It is unfortunate that the interest towards the America’s Cup has plummeted: this has crashed the will of many in the pursuit of this challenge, and indeed we too suffered. Going back at sea to race in one of the most admired international events is the natural path towards participating to the next (34th) America’s Cup”.

 New Balance, Evolutiva, SixPeople and Sinergia are technical partners for “Argo on Atalanta II” at this next Maxi Rolex Cup of September 2008.

For more details, please, show the webpage Maxi Rolex Cup