Breitling MedCup Castellón - Race 1: Platoon first, closely followed by Warpath

Platoon broke early mid line and was quick to get a good lane to the middle left rounding the weather mark in second place they held on longest to the right, inshore downwind where they gained extra breeze while Mutua Madrileña gybed early on the downwind leg losing out to Warpath which always looked quick and well powered up downwind.

On the final run Warpath pulled a little back on Platoon with an early gybe but the leading trio crossed with three boat lengths separating first from second and the same distance to third. Platoon looked under pressure towards the end, with Warpath's boat handling looking very sharp.

Good race for Siemens which sailed two good beats, and for Rush which sailed a solid race.

Start of the first race of the Breitling MedCup Castellón regatta. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the first race of the Breitling MedCup Castellón regatta. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña at the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 fleet at the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Warpath at the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rush at the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 fleet rounding the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 fleet rounding the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 at the first downwind leg. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon rounding the windward gate ahead of the fleet. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña and Warpath rounding the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet rounding the windward gate. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The TP52 fleet on the final downwind leg. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Orlanda and Balearia crossing the finish line. Castellón, 5 July 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing