Copa del Rey - Day 3 : Ian Walker, Vince Brun and Bruno Zirilli do their magic aboard Siemens

With a choice of the 93.5 mile course, the 20-strong TP52 taking part in the Copa del Rey have a long evening ahead of them. At 1833h Siemens crossed the line at the scoring gate at the Isla de Toro at the far western point of the Bay of Palma.

Siemens have lead this first part of the race more or less from the start line. The Ian Walker skippered boat had a text book start in the middle of the line which meant that were able to take advantage of the breeze, whichever way it went across the course. Siemens, with tactics being called by Vince Brun, got the shifts spot on on the first beat and as they approached the windward mark they were in the lead and were able to set their own pace in terms of sail selection and were able to keep an eye on the chasing pack and sail a safe downwind leg.

Mutua Madrilena, which currently leads the TP52 class in Copa del Rey, did not have such a good start, but were able to make amends on the downwind leg and gain places. However, a third of the way up the second beat a crew member fell off the boat and they lost valuable places recovering him from the water.

Balearia have had an excellent race so far. A good start beside Siemens set them up with clear air and good, consistent boat speed through the range of wind conditions has kept them amongst the leading boats.

Start of the coastal race. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the coastal race. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet at the first mark. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet at the first mark. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens arriving in first place at the second mark. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet arriving at the second mark. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens and Balearia tound at the third mark ahead of the rest of the fleet. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens leading the race at the first lighthouse. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia was second at the first lighthouse. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The race between Pinta and Warpath was extremely close. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rush Valle Romano gained many places at the second lighthouse. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ian Walker at the helm of Siemens, leading the race at the third lighthouse. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Warpath managed to overtake Pinta and fought for second place with Balearia. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia, Warpath and Pinta were neck and neck during a large part of the race. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens about to round the last mark and sail to victory. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's not a shot of the start but a clear example of how close racing can be, even after tens of miles. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rush Valle Romano kept climbing and gaining positions in the last leg of the costal race's first part. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens wins the first part of the coastal race. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Photo finish at the first part of the coastal race. Pinta finished second, Rush Valle Romano third and Warpath (hidden behind Rush) fourth, all within three seconds. Palma, 2 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing