Valencia Sailing is back; next stop Geneva

My apologies for the lack of updates since almost a week but I was extremely busy at the Giraglia Rolex Cup, the 2nd event of the Quebramar GP42 Cup. With the exception of the Quebramar-Chrysler Trophy in Cascais, the GP42 fleet has always shared the same race area with dozens of other boats of all sizes and classes.

In Saint-Tropez the GP42 class made a qualitative leap. Not only did the 8-strong fleet had its own race area and committee, we enjoyed quite good wind conditions. A little bit more breeze would have been excellent but considering the fact that the remaining 200 boats struggled further offshore to find the weakest puff of breeze during 2 days, nobody is complaining. In addition, racing was so close, that overall leadership changed three times in three hours in the closing day of the event. AIRIS, the Italian boat helmed by Sandro Montefusco, started the day 4th and was crowned winner in the afternoon.

The official GP42 site has a wealth of information on the class and the Quebramar GP42 Cup. You'd better like it because I built it and I'm in charge of it!!!

Next stop for Valencia Sailing is Geneva and the Bol d'Or Mirabaud. As one would expect, my main interest will be the D35 fleet. Murray Jones will be helming the Alinghi catamaran, with Ernesto Bertarelli onboard.

AIRIS, the Italian newcomer, won the event by winning the 9th and last race. Saint-Tropez, 8 June 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Quebramar GP42 Cup

Near-Miss, the Swiss boat representing the Société Nautique de Genève, started the last day having a slim 2-point advantage. Halfway up the first leg they ran aground and of course lost all chances of winning the event. Among its America's Cup pedigree crew there is Bertrand Pacé (helm), Tangy Cariou (tactics) and Tom Schnackenberg (navigator). Saint-Tropez, 8 June 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Quebramar GP42 Cup

So close yet so far. Canarias Puerto Calero, the Spanish team from the Canary islands, needed at worst a 4th place in the last race in order to guarantee victory in the event. The trophey slipped out of their hands after finishing 6th. Saint-Tropez, 8 June 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Quebramar GP42 Cup