TP52 World Championship - Day 4: Onboard Synergy

Friday was another good day for Quantum with a second and a bullet. Not only did they consolidate their lead, they managed to scrap a couple of points over Matador that scored a third and a second. I was onboard Synergy and it could have been a very good day with two fourths that consolidated their third position if it weren't for the disqualification in the first race. Halfway through the last run, the Russian yacht got a little bit too close to AUDI A1 and her spinnaker touched the Franco-German one. AUDI A1 protested and won. Those additional 6 points make their 3rd place overall extremely delicate. Artemis is now 4th, just one point behind despite their awful performance with an 8th and a 6th.

The good news for the Russians though is that it now seems almost certain they will officially challenge for the 34th America's Cup. Next year will certainly be busy for Synergy as they will continue their TP52 campaign with a new boat and a brand new entry in the RC44 circuit. In fact, right after the end of the TP52 Worlds here in Valencia they will fly to Puerto Calero in Lanzarote for the RC44 Worlds. Another entry in the Cup is also very near, from what we understand, as it appears that it will not be long before Artemis make their official announcement.

The TP52 World Championship wraps up on Sunday with two scheduled races. The weather forecast is far from encouraging though. There is very little breeze is promised in the afternoon and we might even have some passing rain as well. As a result, if only one race takes place every single position will be up for grabs.

Faces we will be seeing in the 34th America's Cup? From left Chris Main (NZL / mainsail trimmer), Eugenyi Neugodnikov (RUS / helmsman), Rod Dawson (NZL / tactician) and Taras Trofimenko (RUS / runners) Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 1 The early-morning overcast skies meant we had to wait more than two hours before the thermal breeze kicked in The first race day was a one-sided affair for Cristabella. The British boat, helmed by Roberto Bermudez and with John Cutler calling tactics, had a perfect start at the pin end of the line, sailed furthest to the left and capitalized on a left shift that put them at the lead of the fleet. Synergy sailed well, especially in the second beat when she managed to climb to 4th position behind AUDI A1 but the incident in the 1st run resulted in her disqualification.

First beat of the race. Cristabella on the far left takes the lead early on. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Approaching the first weather mark, Cristabella has built a very comfortable lead. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Only two boats were behind Synergy at the first weather mark. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador approaches the leeward gate. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy pass Bigamist at the leeward gate. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

You have to see it to believe it. Artemis rounds the second weather mark last. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Francesco Mongelli (left) and Taras Trofimenko grinding during the spinnaker hoist. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis sailed with a torn spinnaker in the last run of the race. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Russian power during the gybes of the last run. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Another promising Russian sailor, mastman Nikolay Kornev, checks upon AUDI A1. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's a pity, a good race will end in disqualification when the Russians dangerously approach AUDI A1. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The AUDI A1 crew shouts as Syerngy's spinnaker touches theirs. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It's a close finish but Synergy crosses the line in fourth position. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Race 2 The rich got richer in the day's second and final race that started with a decent breeze of 12 knots and finished with barely 6 knots. Terry Hutchinson steered Quantum to another victory, consolidating their overall leadership as Matador crossed the finish line behind them. Synergy had another good race, having a close fight with AUDI A1 for third place. It was the Franco-Germans that got it and the Russians finished fourth.

Start of the day's second race. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum was unstoppable. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy rounds the first weather mark in third place. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis in the first run. It was another mediocre race for the Swedish team. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum leads the fleet at the leeward gate. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AUDI A1 squeezes in at the leeward gate and Rod Dawson on Synergy yells. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Spinnaker drop at the leeward gate. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The second beat was a close fight between AUDI A1 and Synergy. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy rounds the second weather mark in fourth place. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last stretch before the finish line. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing