In just over a week’s time, Danilo Salsi’s DSK Sailing Team will return to the Caribbean to defend their title in the RORC Caribbean 600. Having won the IRC Super Zero Class in the inaugural edition of this offshore race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), DSK returns to Antigua ready to take on the impressive international fleet of competitors.

09 February 2010 - In just over a week’s time, Danilo Salsi’s DSK Sailing Team will return to the Caribbean to defend their title in the RORC Caribbean 600. Having won the IRC Super Zero Class in the inaugural edition of this offshore race organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), DSK returns to Antigua ready to take on the impressive international fleet of competitors.

“The RORC Caribbean 600 is the first regatta for DSK this year. We have consolidated the team and I am looking forward to racing among the spectacular backdrop of islands. I hope that the winds and conditions will be favourable,” said Owner and Helmsman, Danilo Salsi.

Following on from the team’s success in the most important regattas in 2009, including the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup and Rolex Middle Sea Race, the Swan 90 has undergone significant modifications to the sail plan, thereby improving her rating under IRC.

Commenting on the changes and new rating, tactician Andrea Casale said: “We have removed the bowsprit and decreased the sail area of the gennaker. We’ve played our cards and it’s reflected in our new rating. We hope that we’ve optimised the boat as best as possible and look forward to the start in Antigua.”

One of the only Italian teams to compete on the international offshore racing circuit, Salsi and his crew have tremendous combined experience on the Swan 45 and now the Swan 90. With virtually the same crew onboard as last year, including local expert Andrea Scarabelli, the team feels that their experience has prepared them well for what lies ahead. The 600 nautical mile course will see the fleet leave English Harbour, head North to Barbuda, then around the islands of Nevis, Saba and St Barth’s, back to St Maarten before heading down to Guadeloupe and returning to a mark off Barbuda before the finish in Antigua.

DSK has a full calendar of offshore and inshore regattas in the Caribbean before heading North for the Newport-Bermuda Race in June. From there, DSK will return to the Mediterranean and its home club, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, for the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup followed by the Rolex Swan Cup, both in September. Racing starts on 22 February.

The team onboard Swan 90 DSK includes: Danilo Salsi (helm), Andrea Casale (tactician/trim), Mark Fliegner (captain), Francesco Mongelli (navigator), Andrea Scarabelli (navigator), Corrado Rossignoli, Alessandro Franci (trimmer), Vittorio Rosso (trimmer), Lucas Brun (trimmer), Riccardo de Magistris (pit), Niky Mosca (pit), Max Cavallo, Saverio Cigliano (bow), Mauro Melandri (media guest), Tatiana Loof (crew) and Mike Brady (Hall Spars).