The TP52 fleet warms up in Alicante one day before the start of the 2007 Breitling Medcup

The 2007 Breitling Medcup started this afternoon in Alicante with the official training regatta. A total of 23 TP52 yachts warmed up in the Alicante bay in view of tomorrow's start of the official races.

Unfortunately, wind conditions did not favor the fleet that could not offer the exciting show their potential promises, not only because of their weakness (never more than 6-7 knots) but also because of their instability. After several postponements, the race committee set a race course that would then be changed at every rounding given the continuous and enormous shifts, up to 120 degrees. Given these conditions, anything could happen and the results of the race should be taken with a pinch of salt.

The pin end was the favorite and a large part of the fleet opted for that and crossed the starting line heading to the left side of the course. Right from the start, Siemens and Stay Calm went ahead of the rest, followed by CAM. They rounded the windward gate in that order and went on the downwind leg once again on the left. The two leading boats called tactics in a successful way and stayed ahead of the rest of the fleet. Balearia also profited handsomely from the shifts and climbed to third position.

More than a test of the boats, it was an interesting opportunity to have a look at the brand new units, 7 in total for 2007.

Start of the practice race. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the practice race with the pin end favored by most boats. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the practice race. Valars, the second Russian member of the TP52 fleet, made her maiden race appearance today. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the practice race. Another brand new entry for this year is Artemis, owned and helmed by Torbjorn Tornqvist and with Russell Coutts calling tactics. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the windward gate, Siemens and Stay Calm were leading the fleet, followed by CAM and Balearia. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The brand new Siemens, leading the fleet at the windward gate. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The brand new Stay Calm made her first appearance in the Breitling Medcup circuit. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The brand new CAM made her first appearance in the Breitling Medcup circuit. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The leaders of the fleet at the beginning of the first downwind leg. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Vasco Vascotto's brand new Mutua Madrileña stayed in the middle of the pack throughout the race. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the TP52 fleet in the last downwind leg of the race. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens and Stay Calm were ahead of the rest of the fleet at the leeward gate. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A great surprise today was the performance on Mean Machine - Valle Romano or is it something we should expect when Ray Davies is not aboard calling tactics? Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Russell Coutts aboard Artemis didn't read the wind correctly either in today's practice race. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens leads the race at the last downwind leg. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing


The last leg saw a tight race between Siemens and Stay Calm but the Spanish boat never lost the lead and crossed the finish line ahead of the British. Alicante, 12 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing