Quebramar-Chrysler leads GP42 class after first day of Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey started with a third and first place for Quebramar-Chrysler in the opening day's two races. The boat crewed by Desafío Español's America's Cup sailors is now first, closely followed by Zurich and Canarias Puerto Calero.

The Quebramar-Chrysler, helmed by Laureano Wizner, maintains its leadership after scoring a third and first place in the first two races of the Copa del Rey. In the start of the first race the two Italian boats, Roma and Seawonder 007, were over the line early and got penalized. Canarias Puerto Calero started from the pin end of the line and with clear air was leading the fleet at the top mark. Movistar of Pedro Campos was closely behind, despite its poor start, and Fermax was following at third place. There was no change in the first two positions but the Fermax crew lost their concentration and slipped back three positions, handing third place to Quebramar Chrysler in the second beat. The final classification remained unchanged in the last leg.

In the second race, Fermax started in an excellent manner, placing themselves ahead of the fleet, after opting for the left side of the race course. Quebramar-Chrsyler and Zurich would follow them closely behind and it seemed that after a mediocre first race, Zurich had reacted. As a result, Fermax was unable to hold on to their leadership and were overtaken by Quebramar-Chrysler and Zurich in that order. Once again, the boat crewed by Desafío Español sailors proved their superiority and grabbed the overall leadership, two points ahead of Zurich, helmed by Jordi Calafat, and three ahead of Canarias Puerto Calero, that was a poor sixth in the second race. Fourth overall is Movistar who suffered from a breakage in its electronics during the day’s second race.

Quotes

Laureano Wizner, helmsman of Quebramar-Chrysler: It was a difficult day due to the unstable wind conditions that resulted in stressful races that kept us constantly tensed. In the first race we had a good start, unlike the second one. Fortunately, Santi Lopez-Vazquez did an excellent job in calling tacticts and we were able to overtake Fermax, the leaders of the race till that point.

Provisional Classification after 2 races
1. Quebramar-Chrysler 4 points (3+1)
2. Zurich 6 points (4+2)
3. Canarias Puerto Calero 7 points (1+6)
4. Movistar 9 points (2+7)
5. Fermax 9 points (6+3)
6. Quum Marketing 9 points (5+4)
7. Roma 12 points (7+5)
8. Seawonder 007 16 points (8+8)
9. AA HPB 18 points (9+9)
10. Totalboats 22 points (11+11)

Quebramar-Chrysler leading the GP42 class at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Quebramar-Chrysler leading the GP42 class at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Nico Martinez