Breitling MedCup - Warpath victorious in Punta Ala, Mutua Madrileña win Corinthian class

Dean BarkerHelmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info and the Emirates Team New Zealand crew on the brand new Warpath got the better of Peter de Ridder’s Mutua Madrileña today to win the season’s first Breitling MedCup TP52 regatta, the Punta Ala Yacht Club Trophy.

With Mutua Madrileña finishing second, also crewed by sailors from Emirates Team New Zealand, Barker was delighted not just to win overall but knowing he returns to the day job next week in Valencia with ‘bragging rights’ over his friends and team-mates.

Warpath, owned by the San Diego father and son pairing Fred and Steve Howe who have made the step up from the Farr 40 class, got to within easy striking distance of their overall win when they won the first race of the day.


Mutua Madrileña, second overall of the Breitling MedCup 2006. Punta Ala, Italy, 27 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

De Ridder’s Mutua Madrileña had their run of four consecutive wins halted when they came unstuck on the first race, posting an 11th place finish after they became snared on the wrong side of a windshift and less breeze on the left of the first beat. “It was really tricky, difficult day. It was pretty scary with the light winds forecast, knowing that we had to deal with Mutua Madrileña. We had to decide what was the right thing to do, whether to get involved with them at the first start or to sail our own race. We decided in the end to try and just get off the line clean, which we didn’t really, but we did manage to get into the race pretty nicely.” Explained Warpath’s Team New Zealand navigator Kevin HallNavigator of Emirates Team New Zealand

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“We are just thrilled.” Barker said on the dockside, flanked by navigator Hall and tactician Terry HutchinsonAfterguard of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info. “I don’t think we could have sailed the first race better. It was very trying. We are pleased because every day we have been learning a little more about the boat and it still has a lot to go. I think that all the way through we have got quicker on every leg.”


The Siemens team, whose performance in the first regatta of the Breitling MedCup 2006 was disappointing. Punta Ala, Italy, 27 May 2006. Photo copyright: Nico Martinez

De Ridder’s second overall leaves him top Corinthian in the 19 boat fleet. “I am not really disappointed. The Corinthian is nice if it comes along, but the overall is what matters for me really. I am very happy with second at this first event in a class of this standard.”

Quotes
Nacho Postigo, technical director of Mutua Madrileña: "I am really impressed with Peter de Ridder and his remarkable ability to achieve great speed with this boat. Let us not forget that Peter is not a professional but he has been able to stay clearly ahead of some of professional sailing's biggest names such as Russel Coutts, Dean Barker or Gavin Brady".

Vasco Vascotto, sports director of Mutua Madrileña: "I restate what I said the other day. I think we have a first-class team that we fully support. It is a real pleasure to have a team with the quality and professionalism of Mutua Madrileña. We all know how tough the regattas of the Breitling MedCup have always been. Just a small mistake and you roll down to the bottom of the table".

Ray DaviesAfterguard of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info, tactician aboard Mutua Madrileña: "It's been a fantastic event. The level of competition is these fleet races is of very high degree, truly impressive. I'm very happy with the final result; second overall in the first ever event we race is great. This has been our first fleet race with the new boat and we are completely satisfied with the mast, the hull and the sails".