Breitling MedCup - Mutua Madrileña wins all of day's three races

Monaco’s Peter de Ridder and his Team New Zealand crew on Mutua Madrileña produced an object lesson in clean starting and reading the first leg best to remain unbeaten over all three races today off Punta Ala, Italy.

The 19-boat fleet enjoyed what was certainly the best day’s racing yet for the class, as the sea breeze built through to day to allow three races to be completed. All the way through the fleet the placings were usually down to a matter of metres at any one time, and there were some spectacularly close finishes.


The Mutua Madrileña boat on the third day of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 25 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

After a disappointing 15th in the coastal race on Wednesday, Mutua Madrileña lies second overall as Emirates Team New Zealand crewed boats monopolise the top two places on the podium. Fred and Steve Howe’s Dean BarkerHelmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info helmed Warpath leads overall by four points after posting a seventh, a fourth and a second place for the day.

With the north westerly breeze building to 18-19 knots by afternoon, the Mutua Madrileña crew were off the start line smartly in each race and were mostly a boat length ahead within the first few minutes. They lead at every mark of every race.


The Mutua Madrileña boat on the third day of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 25 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

“Clean starts were vital and we managed it every time. We were expecting a right hand shift and were always able to get there. The first time we had plenty of room to drive off the line and the second time someone could have shut the door on us but they didn’t and we got away again. Once we were in clear air I think we were always able to change gears well.” Said de Ridder, who is also campaigning a Farr 40 and a Mumm 30 this season. “I like the tricky, difficult situations. Busy mark rounding and difficult start lines. I like situations which are difficult.”

The Judel& Vrolijk designed Mutua Madrileña has had an optimum work up for this Breitling MedCup season having been built by in the Hakes Marine in New Zealand. De Ridder and his crew worked and sailed out of the Emirates Team New Zealand base for between two and three weeks, before shipping the boat to Palma, Mallorca.


The Mutua Madrileña boat on the third day of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 25 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

“The boat is pretty much completed. The job list we have is very small. Before we go here we had sailed pretty much through all the breezes so we knew that we could get on here and go well. The things we have to do yet are only about the small details.”

De Ridder explained their opening race 15th: “We were not organised at the five minute gun and got ourselves into trouble hoisting the jib and had a bad start. Our speed was OK but it was a drag race and there was no way back into it.”

Over a day’s racing where a single error was often punished by a drop to the middle or back of the fleet, consistency was the watchword. Dean Barker was pleased with their day: “It is nice, we sailed pretty reasonably. We were consistent but the day really belonged to Mutua Madrilena. We were aiming for top fives and in this fleet that is tough. The fleet is very close and very even in speed and most boats seem to have their strong points and their weaknesses. We are not sure yet where we are strong because we are still learning the boat and that will take us some time. I think we are probably the least developed boat and our aim has just been to hang on to the fleet, but I think this boat has much more to give and we should see that as we move into the second and third regattas of this series.”


The Siemens boat on the third day of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 25 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

“Mutua Madrilena sailed well today, especially getting off the start line. Within one minute they were clear off into the lead and once you are there the sky is pretty blue. It is a wonderful sport when you are out in front. You’d have to say this is some of the best racing around. A metre here and a metre is making all the difference.” Commented three times America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts who skippered Jaime Yllera and George Andreadis’ Lexus to a tenth, a third and a twelfth to lie eighth overall.

Michael Illbruck’s Pinta, with John Kostecki calling the shots and Steve Hayles navigating, staged the day’s most worthwhile recovery in the second race. They rounded last at the first windward mark, but battled back to count a ninth. Added to a second and fourth their Judel & Vrolijk design lies third overall.


The TAU Ceramica - Andalucia boat on the third day of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 25 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez