RC44 Valencia Cup - Day 4: Anders Myralf on "17" annihilates the RC44 fleet

Greetings from Valencia where the fleet portion of the RC44 Valencia cup started with a bang for "17" and Anders Myralf, her Danish amateur driver. Four races took place in lighter conditions (8 to 12 knots) on Friday and the Danish helmsman, aided by James Spithill on tactics, scored an impressive three bullets and a fourth.

Being onboard Sea Dubai in the first race and Mascalzone in the third one, I have to admit it wass very difficult to follow the action but the lead "17" had over the rest of the fleet at times was daunting. They clearly sailed in a league of their own.

Mascalzone Latino is now sitting 10th in the overall leaderboard, however this should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially taking into account the nearly two-year absence of the Italian team from the circuit.

Race 1Harm Mueller-Spreer at the helm of Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Danish match racer Jes Gram-Hansen calling tactics on Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rounding the bottom mark on Sea Dubai. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Torbjorn Tornqvist helming Artemis under the watchful eye of Terry Hutchinson. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino ready to round the leeward mark. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Katusha in the second beat of the race. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Igor Lah helming CEEREF in the second beat of the race. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 3 Vincenzo Onorato drives the RC44 Mascalzone Latino after a nearly two-year absence from the circuit while Tommaso Chieffi, his tactician hikes. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Vincenzo Onorato drives the RC44 Mascalzone Latino after a nearly two-year absence from the circuit. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Gybing on Mascalzone Latino. Valencia, 30 July 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing