Spectacular conditions in 3rd day of HUBLOT PalmaVela

All classes, except Lateen Sailing, received the benefit of a nice, reliable breeze and blue skies

Y3K holds slim lead over Open Season in the Maxi Wally class

Palma de Majorca, 19 April 2008 – What a difference a day makes. After yesterday’s excessive winds that topped 40 knots in the afternoon, winds calmed down over the Palma de Majorca bay on Saturday and spectacular action was the order of the day.

Under sunny and blue skies, the more than 200 boats enjoyed Palma’s exciting conditions with a reliable southwestern breeze, ranging between 14 and 19 knots. Although it was a definitely simpler day than yesterday, there was still a lingering swell created by the strong winds, putting the boats and their crews to test.

Sunday, closing day of Hublot PalmaVela, promises to be another beautiful, albeit stronger day. The weather forecast calls for a southwestern breeze, starting at 20 knots and topping 25 in the afternoon. All races are scheduled to start at noon local time.

Start of the Maxi Class coastal race in the 3rd day of HUBLOT PalmaVela. Palma, 19 April 2008. Photo copyright Nico Martinez / HUBLOT PalmaVela

Maxi Wallies

The Wallies had another exciting day with two coastal races, the first one 17 miles long and the second one 23 miles. Claus-Peter Offen’s Y3K won the first one while Thomas Bscher’s Open Season prevailed in the second one. “Today’s two races turned out to be almost a match race between the two yachts”, said Nacho Postigo, navigator aboard Y3K.

In the first race Open Season allowed Y3K to gain an initial advantage due to an error in the choice of sails for the first upwind leg. Y3K was then able to hold on to its advantage and win the race. In the second race, Open Season was leading from the start and despite a broken spinnaker in the last downwind approach, Thomas Bscher’s boat crossed the finish line ahead.

For Open Season, HUBLOT PalmaVela is an event they can’t miss. The yacht’s winter home is in Palma and the event provides them with a very valuable first race of the season.

Maxi Racers/Cruisers

Just like the Wallies, the other 7 Maxis sailed two coastal races in the Palma bay. Jesus Turró’s Sercotel Hotels held on to their leadership after scoring a second and a first. Benjamin Brian’s Aegir scored a first and a second respectively but was a distant third due to their disqualification of the first day.

Platu 25

The 18 boats of this one-design class raced for the first day today after yesterday’s excessive winds that kept them ashore. Racing was close and two boats, Vanity Hotels and Turismo de Algarve, are tied on first place with 6 points. According to Spanish match-racing champion Manu Weiler, the first day of Platu 25 sailing was raced under very good but tactically difficult conditions, especially given the fact his team tried new sails in view of the forthcoming Spanish championship. The race committee squeezed in three races and Weiler’s team scored two firsts and a fourth. Weiler will try to be more conservative tomorrow and aim for overall victory.

J-80

The J-80’s as well had their inaugural races as well. Like the Platu 25’s, the race committee fired the starting gun three times. Spanish Olympic medalist Toño Gorostegui is leading the fleet with two bullets and a second place. According to Gorostegui conditions were fantastic on their first day of races but their slim lead means overall victory is not guaranteed.

The Wally Open Season, with America's Cup sailors Jochen Schuemann and Nacho Postigo. Palma, 19 April 2008. Photo copyright Nico Martinez / HUBLOT PalmaVela

The Wally Open Season, with America's Cup sailors Jochen Schuemann and Nacho Postigo at the start of the coastal race. Palma, 19 April 2008. Photo copyright Nico Martinez / HUBLOT PalmaVela

The Wally Tiketitoo during the coastal race. Palma, 19 April 2008. Photo copyright Nico Martinez / HUBLOT PalmaVela

PROVISIONAL STANDINGS AFTER THE 3rd DAY

(Note: Full results are available on www.palmavela.com)

Maxi Wally
1. Y3K, Claus-Peter Offen, 1-1-2 / 4 points
2. Open Seanson, Thomas Bscher, 2-2-1 / 5 points
3. Tiketoo, Mike Donnithorne, 4-3-3 / 10 points

Maxi Racers/Cruisers
1. Sercotel Hotels, F. López/J. Turró, 1-2-1 / 4 points
2. Rani, Jochen Hertzke, 2,3,5 / 10 points
3. Aegir, Benjamin Brian, 8-1-2 / 11 points

Platu 25
1. Vanity Hotels, Manu Weiller, 1-1-4 / 6 points
2. Turismo de Algarve, Hugo Rocha, 2-3-1 / 6 puntos
3. La Revoltosa, Axel Rodger, 3-4-2 / 10 puntos

J-80
1. Cantabria Infinita, Toño Gorostegui, 2-1-1 / 4 points
2. Rolling Stock, Steve Branagh, 3-2-2 / 7 points
3. Fierabras, Diego Colón, 4-6-3 / 13 points