Palma de Mallorca, August 4th 2009–
« Alfa Romeo » wins both today’s races, and remains leader in the IRC category. « CAM » faces the big boats of the group and moves up in the overall classification.
First day of competition for the TP52s, with « Realstone » at the head of the triple tie after two very tight regattas.
The second day of racing at the 28th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre and with the exception of « Alfa Romeo », which is likely to win in the IRC category, emotion has taken over in all the classes participating in the most important regatta in the Mediterranean.
The TP52s made their debut in competition, and « Realstone Matador », considered one of the favourites, finished the day as leaders.
The Swan 45 « No Limits » not keen to renounce their first place either, remains leader after four races, as does Italian « Karma » in X-35. In the new X-41 class « Sideracordis » is tied first with the Estonian « Lexus ».
Today’s light conditions, a sea breeze with a direction of 180, have favoured the big boats of the IRC group: « Alfa Romeo » remains undefeated after comfortably winning, by an even larger margin than yesterday both races.
The Reichel&Pugh 70 footer won the first race after choosing the left-hand side of the area on the first beat, and repeated tactics, and victory, in the second race. Neville Crichton’s Mini Maxi seems to be working perfectly, despite being recently out of the shipyard where it was rebuilt. The fantastic skills of the crew include British skipper, three times gold and silver Olympic medallist Ben Ainslie, who makes his debut in the most important regatta in the Mediterranean.
It seems that « Alfa Romeo » is currently the fastest boat in the IRC fleet, as well as possessing the best understanding of the conditions the bay of Palma.
Today was also important for « CAM ». In spite of being a smaller unit, Pedro Campo’s « CAM », formerly the TP52 « Artemis », now converted to IRC, faced the bigger boats and was fifth and second in the first and second races respectively.
In the TP52 class, probably the most modern boats racing in the regatta, favourite « Realstone Matador » confirmed its leadership, tying with « Mutua Madrileña » and « Valars » on points.
The Argentineans were over the line at the first start, forced out by Bribón, a manoeuvre that also cost them to be over.
The Spanish boat with H.M. King Don Juan Carlos at the helm, managed to open a gap of around two hundred metres, but Guillermo Parada’s crew passed them on the last run, moving from fifth into fourth place, in a race won by Vascotto’s « Mutua Madrileña ».
The Argentinean new Judel Vrolijk design was once again the fastest boat in the second race, followed by « Valars », and « Bribón ».
The X-41 is probably one of the toughest fleets, and the equality in level is resulting in constant position changes in both partial and overall classifications.
« Sideracordis » is now first after finishing first and third. The Italians quite possibly benefited in the second race with three boats over the line: Spanish « Karhu », German « Galatea » and the Estonian « Lexus » all contesting to start at the pin end.
In the X-35 class, the biggest mono-type fleet in the regatta, it was a remarkable second day for Spanish boat « Autoritas », which has moved up to third place in the overall classification after finishing second in both races. A consistent performance from Italians « Karma » and « Tixelio » secured their first and second place in the overall classification respectively.
No changes to the Swan 45 standings, after a continuously consistent performance from Gideon Messink’s « No Limits », second in both races that were won today by the Dutch boat « Charisma » and the British « Nemo of Cowes ».