TP52 Alicante Trophy - Day 4: Mean Machine wins first part of coastal race

Left or right side of the race course? That was the crucial question whose answer finally decided the first part of the coastal race and its final outcome.

The second coastal race of the Alicante Trophy started on time at 1pm but with a noticeably lighter southern breeze than Friday's, around 9 knots. Under these conditions the race committee made a last-minute change and eliminated the optional initial mark, meaning that after the start line all boats would have to head straight to the first mark at the Tabarca island. Since the first part of the race consisted of a 9-mile upwind leg, choosing the favored side of the course was of primordial importance.

A couple of minutes before the start, it looked as if the right side was the one to choose. In fact, Thierry Péponnet, tactician aboard Balearia, was so strongly convinced over the right side that made the boat cross ahead of the rest of fleet, barely avoiding the other boats. Balearia started 12 seconds late but got the far right side. Two groups were formed right after the start, one going left and the other right, towards the coast. For the first couple of miles it looked the right side was benefiting from more pressure and that grouped had built an early advantage.

Unfortunately, a left shift turned the table upside down. Yachts such as Mean Machine, Bribón, Mutua Madrileña or Artemis benefited while Balearia, Siemens and CAM left looking foolish. At the first mark, south of the island, Mean Machine was ahead, closely followed by Bribón, undoubtedly the biggest surprise in this event. The final ranking at the scoring gate was not substantially different, despite some changes during the 1.5-mile stretch along the island, where the breeze had picked up to 12 knots. Yesterday's winner of the first part, Artemis, was sixth at the scoring gate.

Balearia starts crossing in front of all other yachts, looking for the right side. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia crossing in front of all other yachts, looking for the right side. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Balearia crossing in front of all other yachts, looking for the right side. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the coastal race. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the coastal race. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A decisive point when boats decide the side of the course. Leaders Mean Machine and ONO are on the far left. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The leaders arrive at the first mark, south of the island. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine round the first mark ahead of the fleet and prove they are still the benchmark to beat. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing


Mean Machine round the first mark in fourth place on their way to an excellent race. After crossing the finish line, Vasco Vascotto's team climbed 5 positions in the overall leaderboard. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Excellent performance by ONO in the coastal race who was third at the first mark. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Two teams that are steadily improving their position in the overall scoreline, RUSAL-Synergy and Platoon, rounding the first mark. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine and Bribón arrive at the scoring point ahead of the fleet. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One victory in the pocket for Mean Machine. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bamabakou also had a respectable first part of the coastal race, here rounding ahead of Platoon and Artemis. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite the problems with their genoa, Bribón was never threatened. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

CAM and Caixa Galicia round the mark after a dreadful first part of the coastal race. Alicante, 16 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing