Vasco Vascotto's TP52 Mutua Madrileña is getting ready in Valencia

Despite the fact the America's Cup is currently in a limbo, there is increasing activity going on in Port America's Cup. In addition to BMW Oracle and Alinghi, a score of other teams are using the existing facilities for various TP52 and GP42 projects. One of them is Vasco Vascotto's Mutua Madrileña, whose brand new yacht arrived from Italy last Monday.

This is the third TP52 boat for the Italians sailor. Vascotto was in fact one of the founding pillars of the TP52 fleet in the Mediterranean since he sailed in its racing circuit from 2005, the year it was established. He grabbed the inaugural title of the circuit, called Breitling Medcup until last year, on Pisco Sour, a Botín & Carkeek design. In 2006 his mainly Mascalzone Latino crew took a break from the TP52 circuit in order to focus exclusively on the America's Cup.

In 2007, and with the arrival of Spanish insurer Mutua Madrileña as title sponsor, Vascotto returned to the Breitling Medcup aboard a new Botín & Carkeek design. Taking into consideration the fact Mutua Madrileña was aiming for the top spot in the circuit, last year was a clear disappointment. Mutua Madrileña finished 6th, the result of a 14th place in Puerto Portals and a 12th in Portimao.

The brand new Mutua Madrileña TP52 being fitted out in the Mascalzone Latino base. Valencia, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Vascotto was busy in the Mascalzone Latino base, sweating under the strong Valencian sun and working with the rest of the shore crew in order to get their brand new boat in tip top shape for the racing season. This year, Mutua Madrileña will be competing with a boat designed by Rolf Vrolijk.

I talked to him briefly and the obvious question concerned the decision to have the new boat designed by Rolf Vrolijk. According to Vascotto, they "have always had an excellent relationship with Marcelino Botín. I think that last year he designed a boat more oriented towards light winds, probably the fastest one in light conditions. This year we decided to change because the events that take place in the Mediterranean almost always seem to have stronger winds. This year we feel more confident with a boat for heavier winds although of course Botín's new designs might prove to be better and beat everybody else".

The brand new Mutua Madrileña TP52 being fitted out in the Mascalzone Latino base. Valencia, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The obvious question was why didn't they then stick with Botín and asked him to design such a boat that would outperform the rest under the conditions they considered more likely. Or is it that only Vrolijk can design a winning TP52 yacht? Vascotto was quick to answer that Botín was a "genius", an excellent designer but in life you have to take decisions and that was one they took. Vascotto decided to take the risk with Vrolijk and true to his Italian flair, he wished all other designers the best for next year's season...

The work schedule for the period leading to the first event of this year's circuit is very busy. The final measurement of the boat will take place on Monday or Tuesday and after that she will be taken out for her first test sail. After a couple of days of testing, Vascotto has assigned three spare days in order to make all the necessary adjustments and from May 5th, Mutua Madrileña will be in Alicante in order to train.

The new Mutua Madrileña TP52 has a three-spreader mast from Hall Spars. Valencia, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

While Vasco Vascotto and the rest of the Mascalzone Latino crew were putting the final touches on the Mutua Madrileña TP52, their neighbors, the Spanish Desafío, trucked their modified GP42 to Italy earlier last week, for the opening event of the 2008 Quebramar GP42 Cup, while their brand new TP52 (another Vrolijk design) took her first sail on Thursday. Terry Hutchinson's Quantum Racing should also be coming to Desafío's green base shortly while this year's big guns, BMW Oracle, Artemis and Mean Machine are due in Valencia any time now.

On Sunday, we also spotted the modified Caixa Galicia carrying out as well their first (to the best of our knowledge) test sail. The Spanish TP52 boat was mainly going up and downwind not far from the Malvarosa beach, taking advantage of the day's excellent northern breeze.

The deck of the brand new Mutua Madrileña TP52. Valencia, 27 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing