Bribón takes TP52 practice race in light and shifty conditions

Unfortunately, there wasn't much of a story in the first practice TP52 race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. The 13 TP52 yachts taking part in the Alicante Trophy had to sail in light and shifty conditions as the northeasterly breeze the blew in the bay of the Spanish Mediterranean city varied between 6 and 9 knots and was marked by a clear left shift.

The left paid off and that was exactly what Ross Macdonald called aboard Bribón. The Spanish King's boat, helmed by French veteran Thierry Peponnet, had a clear strategy from the start line, opting for the pin end, despite the committee boat end having a slight advantage. The Spanish boat stayed on the far left of the course in the first beat and rounded the top mark clearly ahead of her competitors. They held on to their lead and crossed the finish line ahead.

Valencia Sailing was aboard Valars, the Russian TP52 yacht helmed by Serguei Chevtsov. The Russians are racing with last year's winner of this same event, the former TP52 Mean Machine, but her pedigree was of no help. Despite the young age of most of the crew, the Russian managed to stay in the game half way through, rounding the leeward gate in the middle of the pack, ahead of Emirates Team NZ and Artemis, but an erroneous tactical decision in the 2nd beat cost them dearly. They chose the right side, watched the rest of the fleet make good progress on the left and rounded the top mark 12th, only ahead of AUDI Q8. Despite showing good speed in the last run they were unable to make any significant gain.

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First TP52 practice race of the 2009 AUDI MedCup. Alicante, 12 May 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing