52 World Championship: Azzurra Wins the coastal race and is in second place

52 World Championship: Azzurra Wins the coastal race and is in second place

Port Mahon, Minorca September 15th, 2016

The schedule of the day in the 52 World Championship, also valid as the fourth event in the 52 Super Series, was fully respected with a windward/leeward race punctually at 12:30 PM followed by a 17 nm coastal race. Both races were run in light and variable winds from the southwest at 8 to 12 knots. 

In the first race Azzurra was a bit early at the start because of an error made by the Britsh boat Sorcha that was downwind. After getting back in line and restarting Azzurra began to recover positions and was third at the downwind gate. She chose the left side of the course but soon it was clear that the right side was better. Azzurra and Alegre were side by side at the finish and even though Azzurra seemed to be slightly in the lead for sixth place the racing Committee called her in seventh. 

The coastal race saw the boat flying the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s burgee get a good start on the pin: the only boat that did better was Platoon who was just upwind. After attacking and passing the German boat by staying close to the shore Azzurra got the lead and held on to it for the duration. It wasn’t an easy race though because Quantum was regaining positions and got quite close to Azzurra, challenging her constantly but unsuccessfully. Behind the top two boats the fleet was in constant competition. In the end Sled finished third ending a long a series of finishes towards the back of the fleet. She was followed by Gladiator and Phoenix. 

Quantum is currently in first place, followed by Azzurra. Platoon, Provezza, Gladiator, Ran and Alegre, are all currently very close for points. Racing tomorrow calls for two windward/leeward races and will begin at 12:30. From tomorrow to the end of the event the 52 Super Series’ website www.52superseries.com will have live TV streaming for the joy of the Series’ fans and of all those who love watching sailboat racing at its best. Races with commentary in English can be followed on Virtual Eye and as always, fans can follow Azzurra’s progress live from the regatta course on Facebook and Twitter and on the website www.azzurra.it.

Quotes of the day:

Pablo Roemmers, owner: “The coastal race was difficult with lots of changes in wind direction and pressure. We thought we were in a sure position, then things got more difficult. Platoon was in second then went out and lost a lot of positions to end up finishing seventh I think. It was a tricky day, we were lucky to stay in the lead with boats coming on right and left. It wasn’t easy, but it was fun.” 

Guillermo Parada, skipper: “In the first race we got pushed on the start by another boat and apparently we were early on the start and ended up seventh even though at some point we were third. The coastal race was very challenging because the wind was changing a lot with the formations of the coast and you have to play the points and the base and search for the next breezes. We were always in the front group and in the second beat we managed to sneak in front and from there on we were good. I think we did a good job of managing the risks, staying front of the fleet and win. So over all we’re improving: we have won two out of four races and we’re second overall but we have to be more consistent with our performance. You don’t win regattas with two firsts and one tenth. We want an even scoreboard and hopefully things will improve in the near future.”

Vasco Vascotto, tactician: “In the coastal race we sailed well and deserved to win, but we’re sorry about how the first race went. Sorcha was early on the start and downwind and she forced the boats that were near her, us and Platoon, into OCS since we couldn’t bear away. We were early by just a tenth of a second, but then we had to get back into position and start. We recovered well: we were fourth at the first mark and third at the downwind gate. Then I made an error in calculation of the wind and called a starboard tack but the wind shifted to the right before coming back to the left as I had thought it would. We shouldn’t complain: we’re second overall behind a team that seems to be invincible, but they’re human too and mistakes are always in the waiting for all of us. The forecast calls for stiffer breezes in the next few days and I think we’ll have the chance to show our stuff.”

52 World Championship - Mahon, Menorca

Standings after Day 2

1 Quantum Racing, USA (Doug DeVos USA) (2,1,1,2) 6pts

2 Azzurra, ITA (Pablo/Alberto Roemmers ARG) (1,10,7,1) 19pts

3 Platoon, GER (Harm Müller-Spreer GER) (5,3,5,7) 20pts

4 Provezza, TUR (Ergin Imre TUR) (6,7,3,6) 22pts

5 Gladiator, GBR (Tony Langley GBR) (4,4,10,4) 22pts

6 Rán Racing, SWE (Niklas Zennström SWE) (9,2,2,10) 23pts

7 Alegre, GBR (Andy Soriano USA) (7,5,6,8) 26pts

8 Paprec FRA (Jean-Luc Petithuguenin FRA) (3,DNF/13,8,9) 33pts

9 Sorcha GBR (Peter Harrison GBR) (12,6,4,12) 34pts

10 Phoenix, USA (Richard Cohen USA) (10,9,11,5) 35pts

11 Bronenosec, RUS (Vladimir Liubomirov RUS) (8,8,9,11) 36pts

12 Sled, USA (Takashi Okura USA) (11,11,12,3) 37pts