Copa del Rey - Day 1 - Race 2: Siemens grabs victory from Mutua Madrileña on final stretch

The day's second race was even more exciting than the first one as Siemens and Mutua Madrileña had an all out battle, alternating leadership throughout the race. A small error on the final run aboard Vasco Vascotto's boat handed the victory to Siemens that overtook them and crossed the finish line a mere 5 seconds ahead.

There were two general recalls before the race started at the third attempt. Since there was no clear favored side on the starting line, the fleet split up in two packed groups at each end, making it impossible for the race committee to clearly see the boats over the line. Peter Reggio, the principal race officer, took no chances and recalled the fleet twice.

Siemens and Mutua Madrileña lead since the start and were neck and neck throughout the race. The victory was decided on the final stretch of the final leg, where Paul Cayard calling tactics on Siemens, correctly chose the left side of the course, picking up better pressure. A fierce battle also took place for third position between Platoon and Bribón, with the Spanish winning it by 5 seconds.

After the fist two races of the event it is clear that racing is very close and the importance of the first leg can never be exaggerated, especially the approach at the first top mark. A couple of tens of meters can make the difference between 5th and 15th.

Start of the second race of the first day of the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

RUSAL-Synergy on the first beat. The Russian team had a very difficult first day. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valle Romano - Mean Machine in the first beat. Peter de Ridder's boat had a disastrous second race, finishing eleventh. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens was leading the race at the top mark, followed by Mutua Madrileña and Platoon. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet at the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Once again, crew work aboard CAM was far from flawless. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The presence of Russell Coutts aboard Artemis didn't guarantee great results. The Swedish boat rounded the top mark 15th. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The TP52 fleet in the first run. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The battle between Siemens and Mutua Madrileña for leadership was fierce. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Paul Cayard was calling tactics on Siemens. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon, helmed by Jochen Schuemman, was third in the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of the numerous close situations at the top mark and proof of the importance that 10 meters can have in a boat's ranking. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the final leg, the race was still extremely close. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens grabs victory from Mutua Madrileña in the final stretch. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing