Copa del Rey - Day 0: Training races for theTP52's

We left Valencia and its unfortunate legal intricacies to head to Palma de Mallorca for what is considered to be the Mediterranean's biggest and most prestigious regatta, the Copa del Rey. The TP52 class is for the third year in a row the "star" of the regatta and we will be covering the Breitling Medcup's third event of the 2007 season for the whole week till Saturday. This nearly one-design class will certainly provide another week of exciting and close racing.

Today's training schedule consisted of two starts and a full race. The practice starts were characterized by the unequivocal preference the teams showed for the left side of the course, resulting in a jammed pin end. In both of them a handful of boats were early over the the line. According to sailors who have raced the Copa del Rey in the past, on Palma's bay the left side tends to be favored this time of the year.

The race started at approximately 2pm with the wind blowing from the south at around 11 knots. Since the beginning Patches lead the rest of the fleet, closely followed by Bribón and Platoon. The Irish boat didn't encounter problems holding on to its lead but abandoned the race halfway up the second beat. Apparently, it is an English and Irish superstition to quit a practice race while leading the fleet. After the withdrawal of Patches from the race, Bribón went on to win with Platoon always close behind.

Jochen Schuemann at the helm of Platoon. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Heike Schwab

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. The close level of racing is remarkable in this class. A boat can lose 3-4 places a few meters before crossing the finish line. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Practice races of the TP52's at the Copa del Rey. The close level of racing is remarkable in this class. A boat can lose 3-4 places a few meters before crossing the finish line. Palma, 30 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing