TP52 Alicante Trophy - Day 1: Preview

After yesterday's practice race in testing conditions, the 23 yachts of the TP52 fleet are ready to stage an all out fight in the first day of the Alicante Trophy and the 2007 Breitling MedCup. It is very difficult to make any predictions and a number of boats, especially the newer ones, could be on the top. Yesterday's race showed as well the importance a successful start can have on the outcome.

One of the supposedly favorite boats, Mutua Madrileña, finished in the middle of the pack because of their inability to get into a position in the prestart that would have allowed them to carry out their tactics for the rest of the race. Although they were at the pin end, half of the fleet was there as well and when they wanted to tack they were unable since they were squeezed by four other yachts. A fleet race with 23 boats can result extremely tricky at this level of competition.

Despite the fact the Mutua Madrileña is a fast boat, they rounded the top mark 12th and the best they could achieve was to climb an additional 4 positions. According to Nacho Postigo, navigator of the team, boat speed can't do miracles. At best you can climb a handful of places but will not allow you to start 10th and win the race.

The schedule for today Wednesday calls for two windward/leeward races. If wind conditions allow it, the intention of the race committee is to hold three races, in order to have a reserve in case light winds prevail later in the week. Unlike the America's Cup, the Breitling MedCup hasn't set a minimum limit in wind speed and it's up to the discretion of the race committee to decide whether to hold the race or not.

Weather forecast
This not being the America's Cup, the available information and tools are obviously more limited. The current forecast calls for winds 6 to 10 knots coming from a direction of 150 degrees, that is from the southeast.

The TP52 fleet ready for the first day of the Alicante Trophy and the 2007 Breitling MedCup season. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The TP52 fleet ready for the first day of the Alicante Trophy and the 2007 Breitling MedCup season. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Taking the box rule to its limits. The brand new Artemis, a Vrolijk design, has the widest deck of the whole fleet. Alicante, 13 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing