Modus Vivendi crowned Platu 25 World Champion

Greetings from Alicante where the Greek yacht Modus Vivendi has just been crowned World Champion in the Platu 25 class. The world title is the result of a very consistent performance throughout the week where the Greek yacht, owned by Kostas Karageorgiou and helmed by Takis Mantis, managed to finish in the top three in six out of the 13 races of the entire regatta.

Conditions on Saturday were quite tough and tricky as the front affecting the eastern Spanish coast passed over Alicante, bringing choppy seas, overcast skies and shifty and light breezes, not more than 7-8 knots. Modus Vivendi went to the starting line this morning with an 8-point advantage over 2nd placed Movistar and had to deliver in order to hold on to their overall leadership.

The first race was perfectly executed by the Greeks. Takis Mantis helmed the Platu 25 yacht to the middle of the starting line, had a clear start and stayed ahead of the fleet until the finish line. Their overall lead increased, as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed had a disappointing race.

In the second race, things didn't turn out that well as the tactical decision to opt for the left side of the course in the first beat cost them dearly. The 15-degree right shift meant they were 20th at the first weather mark. In this 60-strong fleet where the first 20 boats approach the leeward gate in a tight group, it's quite easy to drop 5-10 places in a matter of minutes. The Greeks had to fight hard at the leeward gate and dropped to 25th. However, their form was more than evident in the second half of the race when they weaved their way through the fleet and finished a very respectable 11th.

Being mathematically World Champions, Modus Vivendi decided to sail conservatively in the final race, trying not to influence the fierce battle for 2nd and 3rd place. Still, they had yet another good race, finishing 6th.

With this win, Karageorgiou and his crew are the undisputed leaders of the Platu 25 class, having won the world championship in 2008 in Greece and coming shy to another victory in Italy last year, when they were second.

Quote

Kostas Karageorgiou, owner: "As you can see, we kept the promise we made last year at the World Championship in Italy where we finished second. We came here and won the title. Jokes apart, the result doesn't reflect the difficulty we had this week in order to become champions. This fleet is extremely tough and competitive and you can finish first as easily as you can finish twentieth. I would like to thank the crew for their excellent and flawless work in this regatta and, once again, they clearly demonstrate they are among the best in the world."

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Modus Vivendi, brand new Platu 25 World Champion, leads the fleet. Alicante, 24 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing