Skippered by New-Zealander Neville Crichton, Maxi Yacht Alfa Romeo is looking for a fourth win at the Barcolana event after her three victories in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and returns to sail at Trieste as the "defender" of the maxi yacht world speed record. Meanwhile, and following the success of the most recent edition, Alfa Romeo Automobiles has renewed its partnership deal with Barcolana, further evidence of its commitment to the world of sailing, which transmits its own values of design, performance and sporting spirit.

On the back of five Line Honours (first across the finish line) at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, and real time wins at the Giraglia Rolex Cup and the Millennium Cup in Palma de Majorca, maxi yacht Alfa Romeo is readying herself to take on the 2000 craft expected for this 39th edition of Barcolana, a veritable feast of sailing, eagerly awaited every October and warmly greeted by thousands of sailing enthusiasts and onlookers. "It really is a unique event on the world scene," said owner and skipper Neville Crichton. "The warmth of the city and the huge crowd of boats and sailing enthusiasts all around us makes for a really unique sight that gets to us every time."

Alfa Romeo is returning to Trieste in the role of Main Sponsor of the historic Barcelona event organised by the Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano. In addition to its support for the Barcolana event, the brand will be highlighted in a number of other publicity initiatives: Alfa Romeo will have official event car status, and the brand will have a special expo space inside the Barcolana Village.
 

In this space it will put on show a special-series Alfa 147 developed with Murphy & Nye, as well as an Alfa Spider. Meanwhile the Alfa147 by Murphy & Nye will be centre-stage and in the limelight every evening in Trieste at the Barcolana Festival held in Piazza Unità d’Italia.

A further treat for the public comes in the form of a prize for ten lucky visitors to the Alfa Romeo site. As winners of the “Match Race Game” competition they will be guests of Alfa Romeo for the whole weekend, watching the racing from three Alfa Romeo-branded boats belonging to Cino Ricci's fleet. Certainly another way of experiencing Barcolana centre-stage with Alfa Romeo.

The Barcolana main sponsorship is the latest in Alfa Romeo's initiatives in world of sailing for the 2006-2007 season. After its Official Supplier role for the Luna Rossa team in the America's Cup and its support for the super maxi craft in European events, the Alfa Romeo brand is proudly present on the sails of its “Alfa Spider” Melges 24 and “Alfa 147” Laser Sb3 (high-speed boats which have already notched up significant wins during the course of this season) and with “One Shot Alfa Spider”, the 6 metre super hi-tech catamaran which aims to set new speed records.