Friday, June 15, 2007

TP52 Alicante Trophy - Day 3: Artemis leads first part of coastal race

As we wrote in our day's preview this morning, the coastal race of the TP52 Alicante Trophy included a scoring gate which counted as one race. In addition, the number of photos from that race was very large given it lasted 3 hours and included many marks. As a result, our report has been broken into parts, one for each scoring half.

The day started under good conditions and the race committee fired the starting gun right on time. Wind was blowing from the south at around 8-9 knots and the flat seas initially made us think we wouldn't witness an exciting race. The first stretch of the race consisted of an upwind leg 2 miles long. The fleet was split in two in the starting line and with the left being the favorite side of the course, Artemis together with CAM and Bribón got off to a good start as did RUSAL-Synergy who chose the far left.

As wind speed picked Artemis and CAM powered ahead and reached the top mark in front of the fleet. The 23 TP52 yachts sailed then south towards the Tabarca island with still increasing winds and choppier waters. Artemis was flying and the rest of the fleet seemed impossible to keep up with her. CAM, Siemens and RUSAL-Synergy were following in a separate group. The leading quintet at the scoring gate was closed by Bribón, yet another 2007-generation boat that performs well in strong winds.

Start of the coastal race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the coastal race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the coastal race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the first buoy, Artemis was already leading the race with CAM close behind. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The wind was blowing from inland and the leading group sailed close to the coast. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the second buoy, Artemis had extended their lead. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the second buoy, CAM, Siemens and RUSAL-Synergy were following the leader. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Without any doubt, the day's greatest and pleasant surprise was the excellent performance of RUSAL-Synergy. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña and Platoon rounding the second buoy. The two boats stayed neck and neck during the first half of the coastal race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The top half of the fleet is heading towards the scoring gate. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Patches rounds the second buoy in the last 5 places. The brand new Irish TP52 yacht had a disappointing day. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet heading towards the scoring gate. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis rounds the buoy and pockets a first place. Little did they know what was going to take place in the second part of the race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of fleet approaching the scoring gate. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

CAM, Siemens and RUSAL-Synergy arrive second, third and fourth respectively. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bribón keeps up her consistent performance and scores a fifth place in the first part of the race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Patches started the race as first overall but paid dearly the 18th place in the first half of the coastal race. Alicante, 15 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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1 Comments:

At 9:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bonitas fotos !!!

 

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