TP52 Alicante Trophy - Day 2 - Race 2: Mean Machine "flies" to her first victory

When the going gets tough the tough get going. This is probably the best phrase to summarize the second race of the day. Not only did the wind get stronger, reaching 20 knots at some stages, it was much choppier than the first race one hour before.

Similar to the first race, the right side of the course was the favorite one and Mean Machine got a clean start and lead throughout the race. Nevertheless, the protagonist of the race and the day was Patches. The Irish boat finished second and now leads the overall score table.

Start of the day's second race. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the day's second race. Anonimo Q8 opted for the right side of the course. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine is leading the race at the top mark. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The leading pack of the fleet at the top mark. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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

The top 4 boats at the start of the first downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet at the start of the first downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Most of the times they were the last in every mark, but Valars, the second Russian team, are brand newcomers to the TP52 fleet. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The strong winds and choppy waters were testing conditions for the boats, such CAM halfway through the first downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The strong winds and choppy waters were testing conditions for the boats, such CAM halfway through the first downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Windquest, last year's Warpath, is having a very discreet performance. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine flies in the second downwind leg. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

After a 3rd place in Thursday's first race, CAM crossed the finish line 15th in the second race. Alicante, 14 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing