Break out the cigar -- it’s Mini Signorini!

27 Feb 2012, 08:28UTC

Break out the cigar -- it’s Mini Signorini!

Team Telefónica celebrated the birth of João ‘Joca’ Signorini’s new baby girl with a Cuban cigar sneaked on board especially for the happy event.

Joao Signorini onboard Team Telefonica during leg 1 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12, from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa.

Signorini was on watch at the helm when his baby was born but got the good news two hours later by satellite phone and was even able to talk directly to his wife from the darkness of the boat's interior.

Later on deck, in honour of the the new addition to the Signorini family and the Team Telefónica fan base, each of Joca's crew mates took a few puffs on the cigar and saluted the baby.

"Everything is good," a slightly bemused Signorini said. "I have a little baby girl. I spoke to my wife Lotta two hours later and she told me everything is good.

"It is hard to be here and I would much rather be with them. But here we are in the north Pacific trying to reach to Auckland -- as soon as possible for me."

Media Crew Member (MCM) Diego Fructuoso said the crew had used their imagination when it came to referring to the little girl.

“She still doesn't have a name, so for now we're calling her Mini Signorini,” Fructuoso said.

“Joca was able to speak to his wife and it's all perfect. BRAVO!"