Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Consistency in second day of TP52 Worlds gives Quantum Racing the leadership

Sometimes the old clichés hold true. Consistency paid for Terry Hutchinson and the Quantum crew. Two races were held off the Malvarosa beach for the second day of the TP52 World Championship and the 9-strong fleet had to battle it out under, unfortunately, lighter winds than yesterday. With a bullet and a fourth Quantum now takes the overall lead with 12 points, while Artemis with mirrored results, a fourth and bullet, is just three points behind. Synergy closes the podium positions with 16 points, after an awful second race spoiled the very good result in the first one.

Race 1We had to wait until 3pm for the wind to pick up and reach acceptable levels. Still, it wasn't a breeze to write home about and it never went over 8 knots. The key of the first race was the left in the first beat, something that Quantum and Synergy followed, maybe the Russians overstayed a bit. While The American and Russian teams had no problem maintaining their respective first and second positions, the real fight was for third place. It was eventually won by Matador that had a beautiful last run.

Start of the first race of the day. Quantum opts for the left while AUDI A1 are early over the line. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy crosses ahead of Bigamist in the first beat of the race. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum lead at the first weather mark, followed by Synergy. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum lead the fleet in the first run. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Terry Hutchinson built Quantum's lead in the first run and rounds the leeward gate with a comfortable advantage. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Despite the awful start, Jochen Schuemann managed to pass 3 boats in the first half of the race. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Russian power! This might be just the 2nd day Eugnei Neugodnikov has been helming a TP52 but his performance has been outstanding. Here Synergy round the final top mark in second place. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's a disappointing championship for the British yachts. Cristabella, Pace and Weapon of Choice are the laggards of the fleet. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One victory in the pocket for Quantum. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Great final stretch of the last run for Matador. The Argentineans sneak in front of Artemis and Bigamist. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2The second race of the day was clearly for Artemis. Torbjorn Torqvist had a very good start positioned the yacht ahead of the fleet and never felt any threat. The protagonists of the first race, Quantum and Synergy, really struggled, but a comeback in the last run allowed to finish 4th and 7th.

Start of the second race. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First stretch of the first beat. Artemis and Audi A1 are off to a very good start. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The second race of the day was disastrous for Synergy. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis approach the top mark leading the fleet. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Very good performance by AUDI A1 that round the first weather mark in second place. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet in the first run. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Disastrous situation for Synergy at the leeward gate as they are blocked out and round last. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis have a comfortable lead at the last top mark and will keep it to the finish line. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A nice recovery by Quantum in the last run will allow them to take the overall lead. Valencia, 6 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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