GP 26, Pinto Tercero (ESP), skippered by Emilio Azofra © SailingShots by Maria Muina | RCNV
Pinto Tercero Leads the ORC Sportboat European Championship
The 7th edition of the ORC Sportboat European Championship commenced in Valencia under the auspices of the 25th edition of the Trofeo S.M. La Reina and the 36th edition of the Copa Almirante Marcial Sánchez-Barcáiztegui, organized by the Real Club Náutico de Valencia (RCNV).
On the first day of inshore racing, the thirteen participating boats sailed in the Alpha course with favorable conditions averaging 7-8 knots on the 27.7-mile course, the results of which were scored with ORC Time-On-Time Weather Routing Scoring.
The highlight of the day was the exceptional performance of the GP 26, Pinto Tercero (ESP), skippered by the skilled Emilio Azofra, which secured the leading position with an elapsed time of four hours, thirty-two minutes and fifty-five seconds
The Turkish-flagged Orient Express 6.5 followed closely. A Farr 25, helmed by Sukru Sanus, claimed the second spot, one minute and twenty-five seconds behind the leader in corrected time. The third and fourth positions were taken by Spanish J80s Somvela, with José Martínez, and UK-flagged Gone 2 Pot, skippered by Christopher John Hunt, respectively. Dorsia Sailing (ESP), skippered by Nuria Sánchez Nomdedeu, rounded out the top five. Third, fourth, and fifth finished within twenty seconds in corrected time.
The championship fleet in Valencia includes boats from Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Italy. It features models such as Tom 28, MaxFun 25, GP 26, Sonar 23, Platú 25, Farr 25, J80, ESTE24, and FC8.
The competition continues on Friday, July 5, with the windward-leeward races and the ClubSwan 42 class joining, a key event in The Nations League circuit, alongside the ORC classes 0 to 4. The Open and Promotion classes will also join the fray over the weekend.
The Trofeo SM La Reina’s racing schedule kicked off on June 28 with a challenging 160-nautical-mile offshore race. The Offshore race was won by M10 ZAS C&R, skippered by José Luis Francés, owned by Carlos and José Francés, representing the RCN of Valencia.
The XXV Trofeo S.M. La Reina is part of the Mediterranean Sailing Circuit, along with the PalmaVela Regatta organized by the RCN Palma and the Conde de Godó BMW Sailing Trophy organized by the RCN Barcelona.
