Quantum wins TP52 World Championship after thrilling final race

Note: I'm sorry but as some readers correctly commented there are two inaccuracies in the report. Firstly, Quantum went into the day with a 3-point lead and secondly Matador overtook Quantum in the last stretch of the race, hence the 2-point overall lead. This doesn't change the essence of the race; close and exciting boat-to-boat action. My apologies.

What way to close the 2010 TP52 World Championship!! Despite the lousy weather conditions that made us fear Quantum would be crowned champions without at least a final race, PRO Maria Torrijo pulled it off and fired the starting gun 15 minutes before limit time, giving us the opportunity to watch a thrilling race, or better said two races.

Quantum started the day with a mere 1-point advantage over Matador, so any result would valid for Terry Hutchinson and his crew as long as it was ahead of Matador. Everybody was expecting a tough match race between the two teams but the Argentineans made life much easier for Quantum after crossing early the starting line. What followed after that was a tremendous match race between the two yachts with dozens of tacks and gybes in each leg. Matador fought very hard and thanks to their boat speed were able to make up for the lost ground but still, unable to pass Quantum.

Meanwhile a ferocious four-way battle was raging for 3rd place between AUDI A1, Cristabella, Synergy and Artemis. Each of those 4 yachts had more or less similar chances to grab the remaining podium spot. It was Synergy that finally did, tied on equal points with Artemis.

It's over before it evens starts!!! Matador crosses the start line one second early. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum's start was far from brilliant. The American yacht crossed the starting line 5 seconds late. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Certainly not the view Matador's crew wanted in the first cross. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum and Matador start their private match race. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bigamist round the first weather mark comfortably ahead of the fleet. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The absolute position doesn't matter for Quantum as long as they're ahead of Matador. Here they round the first mark 7th while Matador is dead last. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

I wonder how the guest at the stern of the boat is feeling, seeing the entire fleet in front of him at the first weather mark!! Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

While Quantum approaches the leeward gate, AUDI A1, Cristabella, Artemis and Synergy have a four-way battle for the 3rd place. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum and Matador continue their private match race in the second beat. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

I counted 16 tacks in the second beat. All photos look the same but this one was taken 6 minutes after the previous one. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AUDI A1 and Artemis hold their own battle at the last weather mark. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It was gybe for gybe throughout the last run. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing


Last stretch before the finish line and a photo that pretty well sums up the race between Matador and Quantum. Valencia, 9 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing