The 1st Troféo Desafío Español started today in Valencia

The 1st edition of the Troféo Desafío Español started on Saturday in Valencia. The annual regatta the Club Nautico Español de Vela has to organize was held for the first time with a total of 88 participating boats and under very light conditions. We were obviously there to witness the event, given its peculiarity. Some of the journalists presentswere jokingly commenting this was the most important sailing event in 2007, worldwide.

Most of the participating boats were from Valencia but there was also a number of them coming from a radius of 200 km. Of course we didn't expect a major international event with TP52's and GP42's but it didn't have to be either. It was an ordinary local regatta that could have been organized by any yacht club. Out of the total 88 boats, 80 were cruisers and 8 were Platu 25.

Unfortunately, the weather was not on the organizers' side and the breeze finally picked up slightly after 4pm and even then it never passed the 6-7 knots, quite usual in Valencia this time of the year. This resulted in the first race taking too long to have a second one completed in time.

If only they had thought about holding such a regatta earlier! It was so easy and it could have prevented most of the trouble we are currently experiencing since it would have given BMW Oracle less legal arguments to sue Alinghi in the New York Supreme Court. After all, Judge Cahn will not decide whether the Protocol is fair or not, simply whether the CNEV was a valid Challenger of Record as per the Deed of Gift.

Had this regatta (or a similar one) been held, let's say, last June, we would be facing a completely different situation now. Obviously, since the creation of the CNEV had to be kept secret it would have been impossible to stage such an event in Valencia in broad daylight, let alone the fact the CNEV was created just 2-3 weeks before it challenged Alinghi. According to Manuel Chirivella, president of the CNEV, Alinghi had asked the Spanish to expedite the creation of the CNEV and keep it secret.

Another two races are scheduled for Sunday, weather allowing.

Half of the boats taking part in the 1st Troféo Desafío Español. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the boats taking part in the 1st Troféo Desafío Español. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the race for the RN1 class. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the race for the RN1 class. Apparently some teams were a little bit overzealous. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the race for the RN2 class. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet downwind. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet downwind. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

This Wally 60 from Barcelona was surely the most beautiful of the boat of the fleet. Unfortunately, with wind speeds at 3-4 knots one can't expect a breathtaking performance. Valencia, 24 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing