Balearia wins first race of Alicante Trophy; second race cancelled due to light winds

The first day of racing of the Alicante Trophy was unfortunately very similar to yesterday's practice day. Wind in the Alicante bay was late to arrive and when it did, it never blew more than 7 knots and was again plagued by direction changes. After one hour and a half waiting for suitable conditions, the race committee decided to start the race at 2:30pm.

Given the difficult conditions, it was to be another test for tacticians and boat speed didn't prove to be the determining factor. In fact, the winner, Balearia, is the fleet's oldest boat, dating from 2005. The committee boat end of the start line was the favorite one as well as the right side of the course. Caixa Galicia, Aifos, Rusal Synergy and Platoon went to the right and the eventual winner of the race, Balearia, got to a clean start at the middle and tacked to the right.

The first to approach the windward gate from the right were Balearia, followed by Caixa Galicia, Anonimo Q8, Mutua Madrileña and Windqest close behind. Vasco Vascotto on Mutua Madrileña decided to tack on port and unfortunately discovered the troubles a large fleet of TP52s can cause. When the boat went over the layline and had to tack towards the buoy they found themselves blocked and had to turn back waiting for a free spot. Not only did they slow down but saw around 15 boats pass them before they could round the buoy.

The top three boats in the top mark and for the rest of the race were Balearia, Caixa Galicia and Anonimo Q8 and the order would only change between second and third at the leeward gate. No other boat would pose a threat to these three but it is remarkable to notice the recovery of both Mutua Madrileña and Siemens as well as the 16th place for last year's champions, Mean Machine.

The rest of the race took place in very light conditions and the race committee started a second one that was abandoned halfway through the first leg after wind had fallen to 3 knots.

Start of the day's first and only race. The beauty and trouble of the numerous TP52 fleet is getting squuezed out of the committee boat. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's first and only race. Balearia, the winner of the race, got a clear start in the middle of the line. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's first and only race. Once again the importance of having a good start is put in evidence. Siemens, reportedly one of the most promising teams, gets behind and will finally finish 10th. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's first and only race and yet another proof of its importance. Last year's circuit winners, Mean Machine, on the far left, had a bad start, were never able to recover and finished 16th. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The top of the fleet reaching the windward gate. Balearia is leading with Caixa Galicia and Mutua Madrileña close behind. Unfortunately for Vasco Vascotto's boat, his next move will prove once again the problems a large fleet of TP52s can cause at mark roundings. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The top of the fleet is reaching the windward gate but Vasco Vascotto takes the Mutua Madrileña boat to a port tack that would prove disastrous. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Anonimo Q8 also had an excellent race and rounded the top mark in third place. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Meanwhile, Mutua Madrileña waited and waited for the passing spot to appear. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Finally, Mutua Madrileña squeezed in behind Cristabella. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The top half of the fleet starting the last leg. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom half of the fleet starting the last leg. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet approaching the leeward gate. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Anonimo Q8 sailed perfectly in the second leg and rounded the leeward gate second. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Without any doubt, the TP52 fleet provides exciting and close situations in the mark roundings. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A very close situation in the leeward gate between Windquest and Mean Machine. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia and Anonimo Q8 were leading the race at the top mark. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon had a very goad performance, finishing fourth. The German boat boasts in the Alicante Trophy a number of top-name America's Cup sailors. Cameron Dunn from Mascalzone Capitalia is at the helm, Marc Lagesse and Tim Kröger joined from Shosholoza while John Cutler comes from Desafío Español. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing