TP52 Alicante Trophy - Day 2 - Race 1: Artemis dominates the rest of the fleet

We were hoping for stronger conditions today and boy did we get them. After a very short postponement, the much-expected southerly started blowing our hats off and the race committee started the day's first race with heading 180 degrees and a course length of 2 miles. Wind speed was 12 knots and the sea was getting increasingly rough.

Under these conditions it was important for each boat to get a clean start, not get squeezed behind even if they don't immediately achieve getting the favorite side. The start was uneventful and the right side was the favorite one. Artemis stayed in the middle of the line and went to the right, got away of the rest of the fleet very easily and was never threatened. As Russell Coutts stated, boat speed was impressive.

Bribón and CAM were two other boats also took advantage from the stronger right side and finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. On the other hand, one of the much-expected new boats, Siemens, had another bad race.

Start of the 1st race of the second day of the Alicante Trophy. Artemis, the race winner, got a clean start in the middle of the line. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the 1st race of the second day of the Alicante Trophy. Mutua Madrileña went immediately to the right. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the 1st race of the second day of the Alicante Trophy. The brand new CAM performed excellently in this race, finishing third. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the 1st race of the second day of the Alicante Trophy. After yesterday's victory, Balearia had a mediocre day, finishing the race 10th. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis approaching the windward gate. It was her day today with a 1st and 3rd place. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The fleet approaching the windward gate with Artemis well ahead. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña rounding the top mark. The black patch is the repair of the damage from yesterday's collision with CAM. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine had a seventh place in the first race. Today's performance was a great improvement over yesterday's 16th place. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

For the second consecutive race, the brand new Siemens boat did not shine with its performance. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet rounding the top mark. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet approaching the leeward gate. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Bribón rounding the leeward gate in second place. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bribón and Mutua Madrileña going upwind while the bottom of the fleet is approaching the windward gate. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Like a rocket, Artemis is rounding the windward gate. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet rounding the windward gate. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

TAU Ceramica - Andalucia tore her spinnaker in the last downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens sailing in the last downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis crossing the finish line well ahead of the rest of the fleet. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Patches crossing the finish line at fifth place. So far, the Irish boat has been the more consistent. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing