Portoroz Cup RC44: Team Beecom wins the fleet race whilst Cro-A-Sail is overall winner

The Portoroz Cup finished on Sunday with a big surprise: the Japanese team sailing on board Beecom won the fleet race after an excellent performance, with two wins, two second places and two fourth. They conclude the event with the same number of points as the local favourites from Team Cro-A-Sail, but get the title thanks to their higher number of victories. Magia, helmed by Fabio Apolonio, finishes third.

Despite the light winds, no less than seven races have been sailed by the five strong fleet. The organisers from the Yachting Club Portoroz couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome, although a little bit more breeze wouldn’t have hurt. “The organisers have done a great job. They have proved that they are good enough to organise an international sailing event”, commented Russell Coutts after the last race.
Many interesting features have been tested during the event, proving the desire of the RC 44 class to be innovative and dynamic. The courses were very short, which guaranteed a permanent show for the public and a lot of action for the teams. The races were also judged directly on the water, avoiding long protests in the evening and bad feelings between the teams. “If a boat is penalised, the crew will be upset against themselves and the jury. But in the evening they will share a beer with their competitors rather than spending the evening working on their protest and arguing”, commented Coutts.

The races were very short and dynamic, and the situation within the fleet changed every minute. During most of the races, the five teams crossed the arrival line within less than 50 seconds. Before the last race, four teams were able to win the event. The suspense was constant and the event very interesting to follow for the numerous public and media, who were invited to sail as guests on board the RC 44’s.

The Portoroz Cup is the last event in the 2006 calendar for the RC 44 fleet. Six regattas will take place next year. The first one will again be the Portoroz Cup, in March, followed by regattas in Trieste (Italy), Lugano (Switzerland), Split (Croatia), Lisbon (Portugal) and Dubai.

Team Omega Russell Coutts racing in the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team racing in the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Close races between Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team and Team Omega Russell Coutts in the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Italian duel at the Portoroz Cup with Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team and Magia Team. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team racing at the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team racing at the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team racing at the Portoroz Cup. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Team Cro-A-Sail fighting the waves in the Biograd regatta. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Close Racing in the Biograd Regatta, Team Omega Russell Coutts versus Team Cro-A-Sail. Photo copyright Heike Schwab