TP 52 NEWS

MEAN MACHINE-VALLE ROMANO OPENS THE SEASON WITH A VICTORY IN THE HUBLOT
PALMAVELA REGATTA

De Ridder’s team, with new sponsor Valle Romano Golf & Resort, made a
spectacular debut for this season by winning the Hublot Palmavela
regatta, and coming first in the last race in the competition.*

22nd April 2007. Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Dutchman Peter de Ridder’s
Mean Machine-Valle Romano TP52 team couldn’t have dreamed for a better
start to the new Transpac 52 European season. The team that won the 2006
Medcup Circuit finished the Hublot Palmavela regatta with an 8 point
lead ahead of second place Cristabella, and 11 points on third place
Anonimo Q8.

De Ridder’s team had America’s Cup veteran Tom Dodson onboard calling
the tactics in what can only be described as an “impeccable” regatta for
the team, as they were a permanent fixture on the podium, reaching the
top three in each of the 6 races sailed.

Peter de Ridder was very pleased indeed with the result: “We are really
pleased with the performance of the boat, especially upwind. It’s been a
fantastic regattas, a great start to the season before the Medcup takes
off” adding “It’s definitely going to be a challenge this year with all
of the brand new boats joining the TP52 fleet.”

This Sunday saw the fleet compete in one windward—leeward race only,
with a breeze that tipped over the 10 knot mark. Mean Machine-Valle
Romano hit the water with confidence in the knowledge that 7 points
separated them from Cristabella, who were more eager to defend their
second place against fellow Britons Stay Calm.

The team started the race among the fleet leaders, taking the first
windward mark in third position. They steadily moved ahead, overtaking
the fleet to achieve overall victory in this sixth and final race in the
Hublot Palmavela Trophy, followed by a powerful Cristabella.

Consistency is still key in this class. With results of 2^{nd , 1}st ,
2^{nd , 3}rd , 2^{nd and 1}st in this event the team sponsored by the
Valle Romano resort near Estepona, Southern Spain, has shown it’s in
fine form for the competitive Mediterranean TP52 Circuit ahead. This
year promises to be even more spectacular than the previous edition.

This event was the first race meeting of this season for the Transpac 52
fleet. 9 TP52’s were present in Palma de Mallorca, among them a recently
launched addition to the fleet, American boat Glory, owned by John Buchan.

Alongside Mean Machine-Valle Romano on the starting line were British
teams Stay Calm and Cristabella, who were the center of a fierce battle
for the coveted second place on the podium, the Italians Anonimo Q8, US
team Bambakou and the Spanish team Aifos, among others.

Both the onboard crew and shore crew of Peter de Ridder’s team have
worked very hard during tis competition. De Ridder’s firm command of the
wheel had excellent guidance and support from expert tactician Tom
Dodson and trimmers Dirk De Ridder, Jono Swain and Jon Gundersen. The
latter three, along with Liam Newman have also developed a new sail
programme for the boat.

“We’ve made a few small changes to the team, as some of the guys are at
the Louis Vuitton Cup, but we’ve worked together perfectly, and I’m
really happy with the results” said De Ridder.

Work in the Mean Machine camp never stops, as every aspect of this
global sailing platform requires constant attention. However, the focus
for the next few months will definitely be focused on the TP52 Mean
Machine-Valle Romano as well as the team’s 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race project.

Next stop for the TP52 Mean Machine-Valle Romano: Alicante, Spain.

!The challenge is on!

RESULTS TP52

1 MEAN MACHINE-VALLE ROMANO. PETER DE RIDDER 2.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 2.00
1.00= 11.00

2 CRISTABELLA. JOHN COOK. 1.00 8.00 3.00 4.00 1.00 2.00= 19.00

3 ANONIMO Q8 RICCARDO SIMONESCHI. 7.00 5.00 1.00 2.00 4.00 3.00= 22.00

4 STAY CALM. STUART ROBINSON. 3.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 3.00 4.00= 22.00

5 BAMBAKOU. JOHN COUMANTAROS.4.00 3.00 6.00 7.00. 6.00 6.00=32

6 BIGAMIST. ALFONSO DOMINGOS 8.00 4.00 7.00 1.00 8.00 7.00= 35

7 GLORY. JOHN BUCHAN 9.00 9.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00=38

8 C QUADRAT RAINES WILHELM 6.00 .6.00 8.00 8.00 7.00 9.00=44.00

9 AIFOS RICARDO ALVAREZ 5.00 7.00 9.00 9.00 9.00 8.00= 47.00