For Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Farr 40 the countdown to the 2006 world championship begins at Key West.

Vincenzo Onorato will take part as helmsman in the Acura Key West 2006 Race Week held 16-20 January. At his side as tactician will be Russell Coutts, the New Zealand super-champion who among his successes has three America’s Cup victories, an Olympic gold, and three match racing world titles.

Racing with Onorato and Coutts are: Matteo Savelli, navigator; Davide Scarpa, bowman; Andrea Ballico and Daniele Fiaschi, tailers; Chris Main, main sail trimmer; Massimo Paolacci, pitman; Adriano Figone, mastman and Monica Rampoldi.

Nine regattas are scheduled at Key West, with the first starting on Monday, 16 January. The match in Florida is the first of a very intense season: the goal of Onorato and Coutts is the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship 2006, which will be organised by the New York Yacht Club in the waters of Newport, Rhode Island from 30 August – 9 September.

After Key West, Onorato will participate in the Acura Miami Race Week 2006, scheduled for 9-12 February. Then he will sail in the Farr 40 Circuit of the Mediterranean, the European championship of the class, and the Sardinia Rolex Cup.

Vincenzo Onorato has raced in Farr 40 since 1999, competing in six world championships. Last December in Sydney, he won the Rolex Trophy One Design.