The Napolitan helmsman Paolo Cian is winner of the 2005 edition of the 2005 Roberto Trombini Challenge Trophy, ISAF grade one match race event, after beating Bjorn Hansen (Swedish) 1-0 in the finals. After 10 years an Italian wins the Trombini Trophy.

Slight wind made it a very difficult day for the yachtsmen and for the racing committee, the organizers worked wonders and were able to complete almost the whole programme and starting the finals just one minute before the lapse of the time limit at 18.00 hours.

The long closing day of the Trombini Trophy Challenge 2005 started with two play-off matches for the quarter finals. Bjorn Hansen (Sweden) beat Englishman Ian William in a match where the two teams overtook each other at least 5 times.

Immediately after James Spithill (Luna Rossa Challenge) beat Sten Mohr (DK) who had protested for a alleged false start by the Australian.

The semi finals were between Paolo Cian and James Spithill and between Bjorn Hansen and Sebastien Col (K-Challenge). This was the start of a long wait for the wind conditions to improve, it had been steadily decreasing and then returned but the slights gusts never reached over 4-5 knots. The calm winds lead to intervals between matches and a long wait for the finals.

In the semi finals between Paolo Cian and James Spithill the Neapolitan won the first match then Spithill brought the score to even, that lead to an exciting paly-off after more than two hours waiting for the wind.

Neck to neck start, first upwind crossing with Spithill in the lead until halfway on the downwind course when Cian attacked and overtook him. On the second upwind course Spithill took the lead again; astounding manoeuvre and then Paolo Cian’s last and last and decisive attack. Cian wins and goes on to the final.

The favourite James Spithill has to make do with 3rd place.

In the other semi final Sebastien Col is initially at an advantage then equals with Hansen who demonstrates some incredible recoveries. Hansen wins the play-off hands down and goes through to the final.

It was uncertain whether or not the finals could be raced due to complete lack of wind. The committee decided to move the racing area further out to try to utilize odd gusts of wind during late afternoon and it worked.

Just one minute before 18.00 hrs,. the set time limit, the finals were announced. First for third place a definite win through for James Spithill.

The grand final between Cian and Hansen was more hard fought, the latter made an early start and was forced to cross the starting line twice. Cian kept control and gained advantage particularly on the upwind courses but his efforts were in vain, Paolo Cian victoriously passes the winning line and wins the eleventh edition of the Roberto Trombini Challenge trophy.

Quarterfinals

Bjorn Hansen def. Ian Williams def. (3-2)
Sebastien Col def. Ben Ainslie (3-1)
James Spithill def. Sten Mohr (3-2)
Paolo Cian def. Flavio Favini (3-0)

Semifinals

Paolo Cian def. James Spithill (2-1)
Bjorn Hansen def. Sébastien Col (2-1)

finals

Final : Paolo Cian def. Bjorn Hansen (1-0)
Petit final : James Spithill def. Sébastien Col Cian (1-0)