Copa del Rey - Day 5 : Capricious winds cause long delays but Siemens wins day's only race and further consolidates leadership

The 20 TP52 boats of the 25th Copa del Rey Trofeo Agua Brava - Camper had to wait around four hours to start the race that has been sailed today in the Bay of Palma, so it has not been possible again today to complete the scheduled two races due to the changeable wind conditions.

At 13.00 hours the postponement flag was displayed afloat due to the light wind conditions. It started with a light NE changing to SE with an overcast sky and some raindrops. Around half past two, with a SE wind, 8 knots, the Race Committee gave a start to group IMS Open, but when the fleet was approaching the windward mark there was a wind shift of more than 30 degrees and the race had to be abandoned. Postponement was displayed again, when the wind was stable again, a new start was given but there was a new 30 degree wind shift and the race was abandoned. The situation was extended by a general recall and another important wind direction change and it was not until four o'clock that a start could be given. As a result, it was decided the TP52s were going to sail a course with an extra leg.

Ian Walker's Siemens started from the middle of the line and managed to control the shifting racing area being first at the first windward mark rounding; Santa Ana was behind at some distance and third was Adrian Stead's Cristabella that competes representing Real Club Náutico de Palma. Walker's team had a great performance and kept gaining distance with respect to her rivals while Santa Ana had trouble in the second beat to windward and was fourth at the second windward mark rounding. Second place was still for Cristabella and third for Pinta, with Dean Barker's Warpath following very close, prepared to reach one of the podium places. And she did so: Siemens was the first to cross the finishing line without any close rival, second was Cristabella and third was Barker's unit. In this way, Siemens is still leader of the overall results, with 15 points advantage over second classified John Cook's Cristabella; Rush Valle Romano is down to third place while Mutua Madrileña has fallen to sixth overall.

Start of the day's race. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's race. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's race. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Warpath started at the left side but tacked immeidately right and remained in the middle of the course. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Most boats of the fleet chose the left side after the start. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens rounded the first mark almost a minute ahead of the fleet and never lost leadership. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Santa Ana was second at the first mark but slipped down the leaderboard in the following legs. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet, lead by Pinta at fourth position. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña was tenth in the first mark and disappointed even further in the following legs. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cristabella, Pinta and Warpath in the first downwind leg. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cristabella was second in the second mark, closely followed by Pinta and Warpath. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The demonstration that nothing should be taken for granted in the Breitling MedCup is Mutua Madrileña, here rounding the second mark in fifteenth place. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cristabella and Pinta were neck and neck during the second leg, fighting for second position. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

With Siemens ahead at first position, once again Cristabella, Pinta and Warpath were within 30 seconds of each other in the third mark. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet at the third mark. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Cristabella rounding the fourth mark second, behind Siemens but comfortably ahead of Pinta and Warpath. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Pinta and Warpath rounding the fourth mark. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rush Valle Romano, Mutua Madrileña and Caixa Galicia rounding the fourth mark. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens crosses the finish line comfortably ahead of the rest. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Warpath stole third position from Pinta after judiciously taking advantage of a last-minute left shift. Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet arriving at the finish line, with very good performances by Santa Ana (fifth), Santa Ana (sixth) and Fram (seventh). Palma, 4 August 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing