AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Day 2: No racing due to lack of wind

It's been a disappointing day in Cartagena as the most pessimistic weather forecasts became a reality. After holding the fleet ashore for almost two hours, the race committee tried to find, unfortunately in vain, a spot with some decent breeze in order to set a race course. The breeze never passed the 4-knot barrier and as a result they called off racing for the day.

Tomorrow Friday, the GP42's will try to hold their first races while the TP52's will drop their scheduled coastal race for more windward-leeward races. Unfortunately, that might not be an easy task as a heatwave originating from northern Africa is affecting Spain. In fact today was the hottest day of the year so far and it won't get any cooler before next week.

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Day 2
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20

Quantum Racing's Ed Reynolds. Cartagena, 26 August 2010. Sander van der Borch: Photo copyright Sander van der Borch / Artemis

GP42's adopt improvements for 2011

[Source: International GP42 Association] The International GP42 Association announces today several innovations to the class rules that for the 2011 season and beyond will reduce operating costs while not compromising on the high-performance nature of the world’s fastest offshore-capable 42-footer. These include some structural changes to the boat as well as new limits on crew, sails, and outside assistance.

“We have been exploring ways to make cost-effective evolutionary changes to the GP42’s without compromising on performance,” says Javier Goizueta, President of the GP42 Class and owner of current Audi MedCup GP42 Series leader Madrid-Caser Seguros. “These boats are fantastic to sail, and the competition has been intense, but we want to attract new teams to join us yet not make the existing fleet uncompetitive. We think these changes strike the right balance.”

GP42 Class Manager, Paolo Massarini, talks to Zero Gradi Nord about the decision the class took to withdraw from the AUDI Medcup in 2011 and reestablish its own independent circuit. Barcelona, 24 July 2010. Video copyright Zero Gradi Nord

The changes for 2011 include the following:

1. Allowance of a removable bowsprit of a maximum length from 1.5 to 1.7 metres. The final length will be determined from a study of existing designs and optimization to sail design and rating rule parameters;

2. The change to bowsprits anticipates use of larger gennakers and a reduction of crew needed for downwind crew work. Therefore a lower crew weight limit will be imposed from 800 kg to 720 kg plus the addition of one mandatory on board guest. This reduces the number of crew onboard by one. The guest will be restricted to the stern section of the boat and not allowed to hike with legs outboard;

3. Sails will be limited to seven per year, down from the existing nine. These will be 1 mainsail, 3 jibs, 2 gennakers, and 1 staysail, plus one free sail of any type.

4. No outside assistance will be allowed before racing, except to transfer guests.

In addition to these approved changes, square-top mainsails may also be adapted, depending on the participation of teams who have already made this change to their boats and are currently racing outside the Audi MedCup. A change in bulb weight to compensate for the change in crew weight has been deemed unnecessary, given the addition of the onboard guest.

“These and other ideas have been in discussion for over a year now,” says GP42 Class Manager Paolo Massarini, “and we have received a lot of constructive input from designers and builders for the right solutions. So we feel these are evolutionary changes in line with the current design trends, and should help both attract new interest and enhance the current value of the boats and the class.”

Ximo Lopez from Longitud Cero in Spain and Vittorio Urbinati from Marine Composite in Italy, both experienced builders of GP42’s, have already assembled very attractive proposals for the construction of new boats based on these changes. Lopez has built the two newest GP42’s, last year’s Botin & Carkeek-designed GP42 Series Champion Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, and this year’s series leader, Madrid-Caser Seguros. Urbinati built and owns the Reichel/Pugh-designed Sea Wonder 007, a perennial winner of numerous regattas in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Assuming interest, these and other boatyards are even considering building new boats off the same mould…Lopez, for example, says he can build up to five more boats off tooling made from his last two hulls.

“These boats and the racing we enjoy is absolutely fantastic,” said Roberto Monti, owner/driver of AIRISESSENTIAL. “We want to use these changes and other incentives to attract more owners to our group, as we feel there are many others out there who can appreciate the value of close racing amongst truly high tech, high performance yachts.”

Once finalized, these changes are intended to remain unchanged until 2014, giving a measure of stability to the class and preserving the value of the existing designs.

Quantum Racing win the Marseille Trophy

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Quantum Racing and Iberdrola’s green revolution overtook the Marseille Trophy regatta, the second event of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit, as the two green-hulled Botin Carkeek designs lifted the respective top trophies for the TP52 series and GP42 series.

Quantum Racing’s (USA) victory in the TP52 Series fleet is their first event win overall since becoming 2008 TP52 World Champions in Puerto Calero, and their first Audi MedCup Circuit regatta triumph since they sealed the 2008 overall title winning the Portugal Trophy in September 2008.

It was the Mistral which prevailed on the final day of scheduled racing. Out on Marseille’s Rade race areas the notorious winds whipped spumes of spray and kicked up a nasty swell. With gusts close to 40 knots it always seemed unlikely that the Marseille Trophy fleet would leave the dock in the Vieux Port. For all that, the Quantum Racing team were never far from their boat and always poised to go and do whatever needed to be done.

Quantum Racing win the Marseille Torphy. Marseille, 20 June 2010. Photo copyright Carlo Borlenghi / AUDI Medcup

Skipper-helm Terry Hutchinson (USA) acknowledged the good work of his team, not least in the behind the scenes industry from their boat-builder, from Quantum Sails themselves and the designers Botin Carkeek, which have all contributed to the 2008 champions upping their game on last year. Winning two races and, for the second year in a row, the coastal race, formed the solid foundations for the Quantum Racing victory composed over just six races sailed.

Their win halts the Emirates Team New Zealand run at five successive regattas which they set off here in Marseille last year. The American crew finished 4.5 points clear of second placed Matador (ARG).

Keys to the Quantum Racing success have been consistently good starting, strong tactics and improved boat speed, whilst the reigning champions Emirates Team New Zealand will rue a high scoring opening day when they amassed 21 of their 31 points, finishing fourth overall, their worst finish ever on the Audi MedCup Circuit. But on the overall standings for the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit, the Kiwis’ 20 points lead which they came to France with has only been eroded by 1.5 points.

When it comes to consistency the Franco-German team on Audi A1 powered by All4One have been the class act of the season so far. Second in Cascais, the team headed by Jochen Schuemann (GER) and Sebastien Col (FRA), took third place here and lie second overall on the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit standings.

The Conde de Godó City of Barcelona Trophy is the next regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit 20-25 July in the Catalan capital.

Quantum Racing sails in the Marseille Torphy. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Marseille Trophy - TP52 Series - Overall
1. Quantum Racing (USA), 8+1+1+5+6+1,5= 22,5 points
2. Matador (ARG), 3+3+4+1+10+6= 27
3. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 2+9+2+10+2+4,5= 29,5
4. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 10+6+5+4+3+3= 31
5. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+7+7+3+1+9= 31
6. Synergy (RUS), 9+2+6+7+4+7,5= 35,5
7. Bribón (ESP), 1+8+8+2+7+15= 41
8. Cristabella (GBR), 6+4+3+8+9+13,5= 43,5
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+5+10+9+5+10,5= 44,5
10. Artemis (SWE), 7+11(RAF)+9+6+8+12= 53
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)+18(DNC)= 78

Audi MedCup 2010 - TP52 Series - After 2 events
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31,5+31= 62,5 points
2. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51,5+29,5= 81
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 59,5+22,5= 82
4. Matador (ARG), 60+27= 87
5. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59,5+31= 90,5
6. Synergy (RUS), 64+35,5= 99,5
7. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43,5= 108,5
8. Artemis (SWE), 57+53= 110
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77,5+44,5= 122
10. Bribón (ESP), 88+41= 123,5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78= 166

Two weeks to go to the AUDI Medcup Marseille Trophy

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Preparations by the Audi MedCup GP42 and TP52 teams and by venue hosts are continuing as the second Audi MedCup event of the 2010 season looms on the horizon. The Marseille Trophy starts with the official practice race for the TP52 Series on Tuesday 15th June.

While Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) won the first regatta of the season last month in Cascais, there was a promising showing from Jochen Schuemann (GER), Sebastien Col (FRA) and the French-German team on AudiA1 powered by ALL4ONE who finished second. On 'home' waters they will be up for trying to go one better and break the Kiwi monopoly.

At the GP42 Series, defending champion, José María Ponce's (ESP) Puerto Calero (ESP), leads by 10 points over Paolo Cian's (ITA) Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP). Their racing schedule starts on June 16, with the official practice race.

Video: Highlights from the final day of the Portugal Trophy

Highlights from the final day of the Portugal Trophy. Cascais, 16 May 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Emirates Team NZ and Puerto Calero win overall at Cascais Trophy

[Source: AUDI Medcup] The current Audi MedCup champions proved they have lost nothing from their competitive edge as they both opened their respective 2010 season with resounding wins in the Portugal Trophy, Cascais.

After another day of muscular breezes which produced fantastic racing conditions off Sintra, just to the west of Cascais, Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) and Puerto Calero (ESP) had both set up unassailable regatta leads, clinching their respective trophies with a race to spare.

Through the five events of the 2010 Audi MedCup season, regatta trophies are a bonus, and this is Emirates Team New Zealand’s fifth successive regatta title in a row, but the dominant Kiwi crew will be even more content to leave Portugal with a comprehensive lead of 20 points over Franco-German Circuit newcomers AudiA1 powered by All4ONE.

Quantum Racing (USA) lead with Emirates Team New Zealand in second in race ten. Cascais, 16 May 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

AudiA1 powered by All4ONE may have finished with a sixth in the final race of the regatta, but the team which is headed by four times Olympic Jochen Schuemann (GER), finished consistently in the top half of the fleet through the second half of the regatta to prove they have the talent and the tools to be podium contenders. It is Schuemann’s best podium finish on the Circuit, bettering his third in Puerto Portals in 2008 with Platoon Powered by Team Germany.

The tough conditions produced a typically bruising final day which placed big demands on crew work and equipment. Emirates Team New Zealand proved, once again, a cut above the rest in the breeze but there were gennakers shredded again today and several teams not managing to convert on the final day, due to mechanical or sail failures, whether or not they were the product of crewing errors.


The British America’s Cup crew lost their gennaker sheet under the boat during the first race to finish 10th. For some of the time today Ben Ainslie (GBR) and the TeamOrigin (GBR) crew looked like an truly exceptional unit, leading again during the first race of the day, but they still have a speed deficit downwind which needs rectifying.

And Artemis (SWE) who were challenging Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE for second overall damaged their bowsprit when they tussled with TeamOrigin (GBR) on the start line of the second race today and lost the use of their gennaker for some of the time.

For the local team on Pedro Mendonca’s (POR) Bigamist 7 (POR) there was a boost to their morale when they won the first race of the day, heading Emirates Team New Zealand across the finish line to win, Race 9, the Cacscais based team’s ninth Audi MedCup win since getting Bigamist 7 last year.

So, too, the 2008 Audi MedCup TP52 champions Quantum Racing (USA) leave Portugal with their belief restored that they can be serious contenders this season, not least by winning the last race of the regatta.

The absence on Thursday and Friday due to injury of skipper helm Terry Hutchinson (USA) tells its own story as Quantum Racing won Wednesday’s first and today’s last race of the regatta.

Without question Cascais on its first time on the AudiMed Cup Circuit has delivered as one of the best venues yet on the Audi MedCup Circuit offering a full programme of 10 races for the TP52 Series and nine races for the GP42 in winds which must have averaged over 15 knots.

Team Origin had an average start in their TP52 campaign. Cascais, 16 May 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / Team Origin

GP42 Puerto Calero wins first battle in the war
Showing yet another display of near-flawless sailing in stronger breezes, Puerto Calero (ESP) scored a first and second on the final day to win this first battle in the five regattas long war that is the 2010 GP42 Series.

Their consistency, speed and error-free sailing in the challenging 20-25 knot conditions seem suited to this Canarias-based team.

Puerto Calero’s wide-body 2009 Botin & Carkeek-designed hull design was perfectly suited to the fresh breeze.

Puerto Calero wins in the GP42 series. Cascais, 16 May 2010. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) won the last race today and finished this regatta as runner-up.

The GP42 fleet was cut down by one in today’s racing by the unfortunate damage sustained by Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) when their masthead crane snapped within an hour prior to the start of the first race.

Nonetheless, the racing among the remaining four was still intense, with AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA) making great starts and progress upwind to always round the top marks in second, but then struggling a bit downwind in the fresh conditions, and the whole pack within seconds of each other at each turn.

The next regatta on the Audi MedCup Circuit is the Marseille Trophy from June 15th to 20th.

Portugal Trophy, Cascais - Overall

TP52 Series
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 6+11+1+1+4+2+1+1.5+2+2= 31.5 points
2. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 9+7+4+6+1+5+5+4.5+4+6= 51.5
3. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+7+8+3+7+2+6+6+10= 58
4. Quantum Racing (USA), 1+5+8+2+10+9+8+10.5+5+1= 59.5
5. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+9+2+4+2+1+7+13.5+10+7= 59.5
6. Matador (ARG), 7+2+5+9+8+12(DSQ)+6+3+3+5= 60
7. Synergy (RUS), 8+1+6+3+5+8+3+15+11+4= 64
8. Cristabella (GBR), 2+8+3+5+9+6+10+12+7+3= 65
9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+3+9+10+6+3+9+16,5+8+8= 77,5
10. Bribón (ESP), 10+10+10+12(DNC)+7+4+4+7.5+9+11= 77.5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+4+11+7+11+10+12(DNF)+9+1+9= 85

GP42 Series
1. Puerto Calero (ESP), 1+1+2+1+2+3+1+1+2= 14 points
2. Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP), 3+2+3+2+1+4+1+2+1= 20
3. Iberdrola (ESP), 2+5+1+3+3+1+5+3+3= 26
4. AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), 5+4+5+4+6(DNF)+2+4+4+4= 38
5. Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), 4+3+4+5+4+5+3+6(DNF)+6(DNF)= 40

GP42 Airis trains in Palma

Airis, one of the just two GP42 yachts that take part in the 2010 Hublot PalmaVela, carried out yesterday their last training session before today's start of the races. Given the absence of a separate GP42 division, the Italian GP42 yacht will be racing in corrected time the RI division, together with a number of mainly local cruisers ranging from 25 to 50 feet.

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

Airis trains on the eve of Hublot PalmaVela. Palma, 14 April 2010. Photo copyright Max Ranchi

First sail for new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum

John Bassadone’s (GBR) Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), a 2007 Botin-Carkeek design built as ex-Turismo Madrid, took her maiden sail on Saturday after having some keel reinforcements done over the winter at Longitud Zero, in Burriana, north of Valencia. The team whose project manager is Inaki Castañer is now in Palma in order to race in this year's Palmavela that starts tomorrow.

Peninsula Petroleum crew for the 2010 AUDI Medcup

Bow: Javier Moner (Perti)
Mast: Pedro Imaz
Afterguard: Ricardo Bellot
Afterguard: Gonzalo Perez Guzman (Talo)
Grinder: Mikel Pasabant
Grinder: Pablo Geras
Genoa Trimmer: Robin Imaz
Spinnaker Trimmer: German Panei
Mainsail Trimmer: Oliver Góngora
Helm: John Bassadone
Tactics: Iñaki Castañer

Owner: John Bassadone
Sports Director: Iñaki Castañer
Technical Director: German Panei
Shore Crew: Pablo Geras

John Bassadone, owner and helmsman, at the first sail of the new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum. Burriana, 10 April 2010. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli

First sail for new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum. Burriana, 10 April 2010. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli

First sail for new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum. Burriana, 10 April 2010. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli

First sail for new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum. Burriana, 10 April 2010. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli

First sail for new GP42 team Peninsula Petroleum. Burriana, 10 April 2010. Photo copyright Ignacio Baixauli

The GP42 Series, on their way

[Source: AUDI Medcup] When it's 42 days to go for the launch of the Portugal Trophy, Cascais, the first stage of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit, we spoke to Javier Goizueta (ESP), the new GP42 Class President, to learn about the latest news on the teams participating in this year's GP42 Series.

“Today, we have five pre-registered teams commited to complete their entries within the next few weeks: three are Spanish, one is British and one from Italy,” Goizueta says. He faces the presidency of the GP42 Class with an interesting season ahead, where he will combine his new role along with the co-ownership of the GP42 Madrid - Caser Seguros (ESP) together with José María van der Ploeg (ESP). Their 2009 Botin & Carkeek design will face this new season after finishing third overall last year, including their victory of the GP42 Series at the Portugal Trophy.

All the pre-registered teams are in their final stages of preparing for the season, with two committed to compete in the Palma Vela regatta (April 14-18) in order to check sails and the changes made to their boats during the winter. One of these is John Bassadone’s (GBR) Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), new into the GP42 Series this year. The British owner bought the Botin & Carkeek ex-Turismo Madrid after competing for the first time on a GP42 during last October’s Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup in Lanzarote.


The other team racing in the Palma Vela regatta will be Roberto Monti’s (ITA) AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), after making some slight changes to their deck layout, and with some new team members and new sails.

Joining these three will be two other boats which have confirmed their participation in the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit. Both are Botín & Carkeek designs, with one racing last year in Alicante and Cartagena as Iberdrola (ESP), and the other none other than the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit GP42 Series Champion, Daniel Calero’s (ESP) Puerto Calero (ESP).

Schedule and guests
“I think that this year’s calendar is superb,” Javier Goizueta remarks. “Including Barcelona as a venue is just fantastic all around: the race course, the notoriety, the infrastructures,... I think that is an absolute good idea in terms of development of the Circuit.”

Together with the two new venues (Cascais and Barcelona), the President of the GP42 Class highlights another novelty which, in his opinion, will help in the promotion of the Audi MedCup Circuit and the two Series participating, GP42 and TP52. This year, one guest will be sailing onboard each GP42 and TP52, both during racing and during the official training days. “This year we have an innovation which I think is fundamental: the onboard guest,” said Goizueta. “Thinking of the non-specialised media, an owner’s business-to-business contacts and potential new owners, this is a very powerful tool that we want to take full advantage of.”

This new rule is not the only one to be a good promotional tool, according to Goizueta: “We want to take advantage of the great facilities developed by Audi MedCup in order to provide a better service for our guests. I think that the elements available are extraordinary, and our goal is to make the most of them. I also think that the Public Village is a great idea to show the visitors the real excitement of this sport.”

Sailing program
The Notice of Race for the Audi MedCup Circuit 2010 says that there will be a maximum of 45 Windward/Leeward races for the GP42 Series. The Portugal Trophy, Cascais is the first event of the season, with the official training day scheduled for Wednesday, 12 May, with racing held Thursday 13 May, through Sunday 16 May. On that day we’ll know the name of the first event winner of the 2010 GP42 Series.

2010 ORC Rules and Regulations now available

[Source: ORC] The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) is pleased to announce the 2010 ORC Rules and Regulations are now available for download. These include the ORC International and ORC Club Rating Rules, the International Measurement System (IMS) Rules, the GP26, GP33, and GP42 Class Rules, and the ORC Championship Rules (the “Green Book”). Changes from the 2009 rules are noted in each document in pdf form by sidebars, and all are posted on the Rules and Regulations page.

The 2010 Velocity Performance Prediction (VPP) documentation is still being edited pending feedback from designers and rating officers on the Beta version of the VPP which has recently been made available to ORC subscribers. Once any changes have been made, the documentation will also be available for download.

Also available on the Rules and Regulations page are a link to the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations for 2010/11, and explanatory texts to the ORC Speed Guide and the ORC Stability and Hydrostatic Datasheet. The Speed Guide and Datasheet in customized form are available for any boat with an ORC certificate.

Click on image to download document

IMS	ORC Rating Rules	Green Book
GP 26 Class Rules	GP 33 Class Rules	GP 42 Class Rules

Roma sweeps Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup

[Source: Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup] In yet another day of perfect sailing conditions here in Lanzarote, Filippo Faruffini'’s Roma 2 has managed to treble their slim 3-point lead over Islas Canarias Puerto Calero to nine points with just one day left of racing in the 2009 GP42 Global Championship. Roma’s consistency has paid off well, though with three races left in the series they have to keep up the good work to prevail to victory.

The day’s first race featured a little less breeze than yesterday, with the 9-11 knot easterly giving some of the new teams a better chance at hanging with the veterans, and a little more space on the starting line left by the absence of Team Nordic made for a tight first beat. Roma (ITA), driven by Paolo Cian (ITA) did what they do best: lead the pack and try to hold off the inevitable downwind charge made by the Botin & Carkeek-designed sisterships Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) and Javier Goizueta’s Caser-Endesa (ESP) who seem to have the best all-around speed of any in this fleet. A cleverly-executed slow gybe made by the match race master Cian on the layline to the first downwind gate shook off Endesa back into the pack, allowing Goncalo Esteves’ (POR) Quebramar – Xacobeo 2010 (POR) to play through to take second, while the Canarias team got forced back and suffered their worst finish yet.


With the breeze building to 13-14 knots, Caser-Endesa and Islas Canarias Puerto Calero then came into their own, helped by the local team winning the pin end start and the race to the favored left side, while Endesa took advantage of the right. PRO Peter “Luigi” Reggio intentionally set a slight bias this way into the starting line to help compensate for the mad rush made to the left side of the course, so those who could start and hold that lane could often prevail all the way to the corner. The fight for that side was won by Endesa, but lost by Roberto Monti’s (ITA) Airis (ITA), who got locked out at the boat end and had to gybe back around to start.

With Islas Canarias Puerto Calero winning the pin and Roma forced to tack away before getting to the left corner, the race for the lead then became between the two sisterships, with Canarias team able to prevail and take her third win of the series, to the horn-blaring delight of the spectator fleet.

The third race had yet more breeze, getting to 16 knots, and Cian did what he had to do, and more: finding himself in the second row line-up for the pin end behind Islas Canarias Pueto Calero, Caser-Endesa, and Team Nordic (SWE), Cian deftly stepped to the middle with two quick tacks perfectly positioned and timed to roll over this group. Endesa got too far to leeward and hit the mark, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero was slow and got rolled, the hapless Team Nordic, despite terrific positioning by helmsman Rasmus Hosner, simply did not have the pace to hold off Roma, who took the early lead and extended, relatively unmollested.


To make matters worse for the B&C sisterships, a gap opened up for Airis to roll into position to have their best position yet amongst the leaders. Even Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 – despite older sails and helmsman Felipe Regojo (ESP) being in only his second GP42 class event – was right amongst the front of the pack as well, except for one small detail at the weather mark: a black boat called Turismo Madrid (ESP). The bright lizard-green Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 was trying to follow Airis on port tack to get around the bow of Madrid on starboard, but it was not to be: the loud shouting, gasps from the spectators, and shrill whistle from the jury were all that prevented a massive carbon fibre collision.

As Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 did their circles of shame above the offset leg, this opened yet another gap for Team Nordic and Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) – who are usually trailing in all the races – to play through and be amongst the top of the pack mixing it up with teams they usually only see at the starts.

So, its been a rough and tumble day here in Lanzarote, and while some lick their wounds and drown sorrows courtesy of the fabulous hospitality of the Puerto Calero venue, others will be doing the math and strategizing on how to do what they need to do in the final day’s three races, which starts tomorrow at 1200 local time.

Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup - Day 3

1. Roma (ITA, Paolo Cian), 4+2+3+1+2+2+1+3+1= 19 points 

2. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP, José María Ponce), 5+5+1+3+1+3+6+1+3= 28 points
3. Caser-Endesa (ESP, uan Luis Páez), 7+4+2+2+3+1+3+2+5= 29 points
4. Turismo Madrid (ESP, José María van der Ploeg), 2+1+4+5+5+4+5+4+4= 34 points
5. Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 (POR, Felipe Regojo), 1+7+5+4+4+5+2+5+6= 39 points
6. Airis (ITA, Roberto Monti), 3+3+6+6+6+6+4+6+2= 42 points 

7. Península Petroleum (GBR, John Bassadone), 9(OCS)+6+7+7+7+7+7+7+7= 64 points
8. Nordic Team (SWE, Magnus Olsson), 6+8+8+8+8+8+9(DNS)+8+8= 71 points

Roma leads the Puerto Calero GP42 Gold Cup

[Source: Puerto Calero GP42 Gold Cup] On the strength of impressive 1-2-2 scores today, Filippo Faruffini's Roma 2 (ITA) has taken the lead after six races and two days of racing in the 2009 GP42 Global Championship. Led by skipper Paolo Cian (ITA), the team's consistency has paid off handsomely, with a four-point margin over new runner-up, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP).

But the most movement through the ranks came from Javier Goizueta’s (ESP) Caser-Endesa (ESP), who on scores of 2-3-1 had a much-improved performance over their 7-4-2 scores of yesterday. Good starts, excellent speed, and clever positioning by this team led by skipper Juan Luiz Paez (ESP) has moved them from 6th to 3rd in the standings, just one point behind the local Canarias team.


The change in today’s performances was due mostly to the change in conditions: the first race of the day featured a brisk 16 knots, the most seen yet here in Lanzarote, and the seasoned players from the Audi MedCup were able to break free on the upwind legs with just enough margin to get to the front and stay in front of the pack after the 1.8-mile windward legs set by race manager Peter “Luigi” Reggio. On these legs the more favorable pressure and less current found on the left side of the course set just north of the airport at Playa Honda made every race a race for this corner, with those getting there first always able to lead back in the lead.

So, the chess game for control of this corner commenced right off the staring line, with those able to come off the line with pace, on time, and with the ability to hold their lane usually in good shape to get to this favored corner first. Only with the luxury of having great speed, such as that shown time and again by Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, would any step over to the right yield better positioning results.

And while their starts were better than yesterday, Roberto Monti’s Airis (ITA) still struggled a little in the conditions upwind, due in part to not having delivery yet of their new medium-condition sails long overdue by the courier used to send them here from Italy. Last report was one was located and due any moment…


Nonetheless, the slight drop in breeze to 12-14 knots by the final race gave the non-MedCup teams a little better chance, with a good start at the pin on the last race by John Bassadone’s (GBR) Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) putting them among the leaders for the first time in the series. Even in only their second day of GP42 racing, Team Nordic (SWE) is slowly chipping away at the deficits they’ve seen to the pack thusfar in the series.

Windward-leeward course racing will resume tomorrow, with yet another three races planned in a 12-race series starting at 1200 local time.

Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup - Day 2

1. Roma (ITA, Paolo Cian), 4+2+3+1+2+2= 14 points
2. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP, José María Ponce), 5+5+1+3+1+3= 18 points
3. Caser-Endesa (ESP, uan Luis Páez), 7+4+2+2+3+1= 19 points
4. Turismo Madrid (ESP, José María van der Ploeg), 2+1+4+5+5+4= 21 points
5. Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 (POR, Felipe Regojo), 1+7+5+4+4+5= 26 points
6. Airis (ITA, Roberto Monti), 3+3+6+6+6+6= 30 points
7. Península Petroleum (GBR, John Bassadone), 9(OCS)+6+7+7+7+7= 43 points
8. Nordic Team (SWE, Magnus Olsson), 6+8+8+8+8+8= 36 points

Turismo Madrid takes early lead in the Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup

[Source: GP42 Global Cup] Through a great display of consistency not yet seen in this year's racing, Jose María van der Ploeg's (ESP) Turismo Madrid (ESP) has taken the early lead after three races in today's Day One of the 2009 GP42 Global Championship. Led by tactician Philippe Presti (FRA), the team amassed a 2-1-4 scorecard to lead Filippo Farufini's runner-up Roma 2 (ITA), driven by Paolo Cian (ITA) by two points. This is the first event of the year that Madrid has taken the lead after a day of racing.

After a morning spent recovering from the previous evening’s performances and gracious hospitality extended by the organizers at the stunning Jameos del Agua, the day’s racing started on time at Noon in a very light 6-knot east-southeast breeze. Principal Race Officer, Peter “Luigi” Reggio, laid a modest four-lap 5-mile course in the hopes the breeze would fill to the predicted 7-11 knots.


Trouble started right off the start, as John Bassadone’s Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) and Javier Goizueta’s Caser-Endesa (ESP) did penalty turn, and Bassadone ignored an OCS call to return to restart. The boats that then went left towards the beach to stay out of the current came out ahead, but as the breeze died to as little as 4 knots on the final run it was Goncalo Esteves’ (POR) Quebramar – Xacobeo 2010 (POR) that repeated what they did to win in yesterday’s practice race: get ahead and extend.

This all changed in Race 2, however, as after a brief delay awaiting for something more solid a very steady easterly managed to fill to 8 and building to 10 knots by the finish. Here the more experienced teams started to shine, with the five Audi MedCup alumnists ending up taking the top five places in this race. It all started when the four black boats in the fleet - Turismo Madrid (ESP), Roma (ITA), Roberto Monti’s (ITA) Airis (ITA), and Peninsula Petroleum – all split left while the remainder of the class split right. Turismo Madrid led the left group across the right group before converging on the top mark, and never looked back despite a strong challenge made by Roma.

With a building breeze on the horizon, Reggio extended the first leg length to 1.4 miles, and just as in the previous race the start was dominated by those that were able to get and stay left. Roma led the charge off the pin end at the start and led the pack back to the right off the shoreline towards the first top mark. With the breeze building now to 14 knots and shifting 15 degrees left, Reggio shifted and lengthened the next lap to give these carbon-fibre speedsters some room to run as their speeds were climbing well up and over 10 knots offwind. Local favorites Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) got left first out of the bottom gate, allowing them to take the lead while Roma, Caser-Endesa, and Turismo Madrid remained tangled up just metres behind the leader in scenes reminiscent of the year’s previous battles for control in the MedCup.


To the delight of the assembled spectator fleet, the local Canarias team managed to hold off the pack and take their first win, a good recovery from their mediocre 5-5 start to the series.

“Today's races have been completely diferent one from the other, and difficult," said José María van der Ploeg. "I think the key was at the starts. We've been training on that since Cartagena because I think that has been one of our weak points throughout the season, and we are doing it better every time. Philippe has done a great job, he's chosen the right sides. The attitude of the whole crew has been very competitive, and we've done some risky moves and handlings but have won two races. In the last one we could have been second instead of fourth, but Caser and Roma got a puff on the last leg to pass us."

Windward-leeward course racing will resume tomorrow, with another three races planned in a 12-race series starting at 1200 local time.

Puerto Calero GP42 Global Cup - Day 1

1. Turismo Madrid (ESP, José María van der Ploeg), 2+1+4= 7 points
2. Roma (ITA, Paolo Cian), 4+2+3= 9 points
3. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP, José María Ponce), 5+5+1= 11 points
4. Airis (ITA, Roberto Monti), 3+3+6= 12 points
5. Quebramar (POR, Felipe Regojo), 1+7+5= 13 points

All set for the official GP42 Global Cup training day

[Source: GP42 Global Cup] The GP42 Global Cup official programme of activities commences on Tuesday in Puerto Calero with the official training day. Racing will start in Lanzarote on Wednesday 14th and run through to Saturday 17th. On Monday afternoon the eight boats that have confirmed entry were all moored in the Puerto Calero marina.

The GP42 Global Cup, organised by Puerto Calero and World Sailing Management will take place in Lanzarote. Eight teams from five countries will take part in the event which is considered to be the World Championship for the GP42 Class.

Three Spanish teams, two Italians, one Portuguese, a Swedish and British team make up the fleet. The Spanish contingency is led by the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit champion in the GP42 Series, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, owned by José Antonio Calero (ESP) and skippered by José María Ponce (ESP); Caser Endesa (ESP) owned by Javier Goizueta (ESP), with Juanlu Páez (ESP) at the helm, and Turismo Madrid (ESP) owned by Olympic champion sailor, José María van der Ploeg (ESP).

Two teams sail under the Italy flag; Roma (ITA) owned by Filippo Farufini (ITA) and Airis (ITA) owned by Roberto Monti (ITA). The Portuguese entry, Quebramar Xacobeo 2010 (POR) owned by Gonçalo Esteves (POR) counts with the Spanish Felipe Regojo (ESP) at the helm.

Finally, two new campaigns make their debut in the GP42 fleet: the British entry, Península Petroleum (GBR) owned by John Bassadone (GBR), with Spanish sailing star Iñaki Castañer (ESP) on board and the Swedish Team Nordic (SWE), helmed by Magnus Olsson (SWE), a person familiar to Puerto Calero as Ericsson 3 Round the World Race helmsman.

The different teams have been training off the Lanzarote coastline today in preparation for the start of the competition. The Official Training Race is set to start from 14:00. Competition starts proper on Wednesday with windward-leeward courses. Racing in the GP42 Global Cup concludes next Saturday.

José María Calero, owner of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero explains today “we have been out trying in approximately 15 knots of breeze and had up to 17 knots. Since Cartagena we have sailed on another team boat, an RC44, but today we have really found out GP42 in shape. We are looking forward to competing once again and doing it at home as best we can.”

AUDI Medcup: Reduce costs, raise performance and competitiveness

[Source: AUDI Medcup] In the wake of a very successful 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit, the organisers, stakeholders and boat owners involved in the world’s leading regatta circuit are committed to making further savings to reduce participation costs for teams, to step up the performance and competitiveness of the TP52’s, to further highlight the success of the GP42 Series, as well as continually improving the return for team sponsors in both Series.

The savings which apply to the TP52 Series are principally the reduction of crew numbers and costs, limiting the number of pre-regatta training days allowed, and a further cut in the TP52 sail allowance for the season. According to Audi MedCup Technical Director Nacho Postigo the net savings over the season for a typical top team would add up to around Euros 200,000.

Guests: IN
At the same time, in order to enhance the commercial return to sponsors or to offer owners and crews the chance to take their private guests out racing, there will now be one guest spot on board the TP52 Series and the GP42 Series boats in each race of each regatta. The guests will effectively be right in the middle of the action, each and every race. Crews may choose to change guests each race if they wish, but the clear requirement is that they can have no influence on the performance of the boats, keeping their legs and torso inside, sailing towards the back of the boat.

Crew Weight: DOWN, Costs: DOWN, Performance: UP
The weight limit for ‘active’ TP52 crew has been reduced to 1050kgs for 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit, down from 1273kgs this season. Not only will this reduce costs – saving an estimated at €30-50,000 per season – but it will make the boats more challenging to handle with fewer crew.

But the performance of the TP52’s will be given a significant boost with bigger spinnakers set on a bowsprit, square top mainsails and added weight in the keel bulb.

Sail Allowance: DOWN, costs: DOWN
The number and type of sails has been reduced again for the 2010 season. No longer are expensive masthead Code Zero type headsails allowed (together with their furlers, stays and hydraulic rams). Only 15 sails can be measured in for the season (against the 19 + 3 allowed in 2009), and only four jibs and four spinnakers can be carried on board. Exotic, costly materials have been outlawed for spinnakers which can now only be manufactured in woven polyester or nylon.

Practice Days: DOWN, costs DOWN, public visibility: UP
The 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit will now limit the number of ‘in-venue’ practice days for all teams. For example all of the TP52 Series fleet must now be at the dock by the Friday evening, and moored in the Audi MedCup Village through the first Saturday to allow for public visiting the boats. Sunday and Monday will then be registration and unofficial practice days whilst the Official Practice Day for the TP52’s will be the Tuesday; the GP42 class will follow a similar schedule with the boats available for public visit on Saturday and racing their practice race on Thursday. Both classes racing will end up on Sunday (except for the last event of the circuit), allowing this way for more public to be present both on the water and at the village on the last two days of racing.

For potential participants, the Audi MedCup Circuit has also drawn up a comparative set of guideline budgets, which represent, typically, both ends of the spectrum, to campaign a GP42 or a TP52.

The budget range for a GP42 is between €467,000 for a charter program covering all five regattas to about €992,000 for a full new build winning boat program, based on selling the boat at season’s end.

For the TP52 the entry level program is reckoned on being around €800,300 for the season to €1.78m to achieve a potentially winning program based on a new build boat which is sold at season’s end.

Against these budgets it is also worth noting that in 2008 a Top 5 TP52 Programme generated an estimated €2.3m of media impact on TV and in the written press across the six European countries monitored, Spain, France, UK, Germany, Portugal and Italy (*source Sport&Markt).

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Day 3: Preview

Good morning from sunny (at least for now) Cartagena. We are now in the third day of the Medcup's closing event and hopefully we might get some races going on after two days of waiting for the breeze in vain. Our previews are getting repetitive so again, the focus will be the fierce battle in the GP42 class for overall leadership and in the TP52 fleet, the fight for 2nd and 3rd overall between Matador, Artemis, Quantum Racing and Bigamist.

Nevertheless, it seems the third one will be the good one. The forecast is definitely better and the breeze will probably be stronger, reaching 15 knots in the afternoon, with gusts up to 20. The race committee will try to hold 3 races so the crews might be sailing until it gets dark.

After being postponed to Friday, the coastal race has been finally cancelled and the race committee will now try to hold as many as three windward-leeward races per day.

A few races away from being crowned champions of the Med. Cartagena, 17 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Morning quotes

Vasco Vascotto, helmsman on Artemis: I think it's very difficult to find a race committee better then the one we have in the Medcup. At some stage, everybody will do something questionable and I'm sure the starts I had yesterday were more questionable than the committee's decisions. They are doing a great job and honestly I trust them. Maybe the first race shouldn't have been stopped but I think we are looking for someone to blame. Their decisions are difficult but smart. They are doing a great job and together with Peter Reggio they are the committees I would like to have in every race.

Obviously, we are all professionals, we get paid to race and we are anxious to race but we still haven't found a preferential way to communicate with the One above that takes the decisions and as a result all we can do is wait. So, we accept the committee's decision and in fact had the races gone through it would have probably been tough to justify them if they didn't turn out successful. Last but not least, if you don't take any decisions you'll never get wrong.

I had a heart attack when I was told a few minutes ago we would have similar conditions today but what can we do? When the breeze comes we will fight hard.

Ray Davies, tactician on Emirates Team New Zealand: I would like to think that we will finally race today. We have a very positive forecast today, much better than yesterday, with a definite gradient breeze pushing in the afternoon. Still, we shouldn't expect nothing much before 2pm and then it should build up to a solid 15 knots, or even more, with gusts of up to 20 knots by the end of the day. We will probably stay out until nearly dark and by that stage we will definitely have good breeze, 20 knots by 7-8pm.

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Day 1: Racing abandoned

Unfortunately, even Ray Davies was overly optimistic when he told us earlier in the morning that despite the tough conditions we were expected to have, the Race Committee would finally be able to squeeze in a couple of races. Finally, no racing was possible today and the PRO was left with no option but to send the entire fleet back to port at 4:30 pm.

The threatening clouds that have been covering eastern Spain for more than 2 days now didn't allow for the breeze to settle and the shifts were too big for any meaningful racing to take place. A start for the TP52 series was attempted at around 4pm but was postponed one minute before the gun was fired. The GP42's didn't have a shot at any racing and their guests will have to wait for another practice race in a future event.

With the general weather not showing any signs of improvement in the immediate future, the schedule will become tougher for the TP52 fleet.

Unfortunately that was the only racing we saw today. The shifty conditions didn't allow the race to start. Cartagena, 15 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy - Official Training Day

Good morning from sunny Cartagena, host of the closing event of this year's AUDI Medcup circuit. Valencia Sailing will be covering the regatta during the whole week, starting with today's official training race of the TP52's. We will be onboard Quantum Racing, last year's champion, currently ranked third overall.

In the TP52 series the excitement won't be for the overall leadership, given the 52-point cushion Emirates Team NZ holds over second-placed Matador. Instead, the real battle will take place for the second and third slot. Matador sits only 5 points ahead of Quantum and Aremis that are tied in third. Not far behind, the Portuguese Bigamist could very easily upset the leaders and slip in.

The real drama will be played out in the GP42 series where Islas Canarias Puerto Calero and Roma are tied at the top with 82 points. The two teams are equally matched and it is impossible to make any bets at this stage. The GP42's get into action tomorrow.

Stay tuned for our usual in-depth coverage.

Te GP42 and TP52 fleets ready to battle it out for the Med champion title. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing


Preparing the TP52 yacht of this year's champion. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Two heavyweights sail on Artemis in this regatta. Vasco Vascotto will take the helm and Paul Cayard will be calling tactics. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First ever MedCup Hat Trick for Emirates Team NZ

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Emirates Team New Zealand became the first team ever to win three consecutive MedCup Circuit regattas when they clinched the Portugal Trophy for the TP52 Series today off Portimao, winning by just 1.5 points from Torbjorn Tornqvist’s Artemis.

With wins in Marseille, Cagliari and now Portimao, the Kiwi team, skippered by Dean Barker, now lead the Audi MedCup Circuit by 52 points heading to the final regatta of the season, next month in Carthagena, Murcia Spain.

The GP42 Series saw the first regatta win this season for Caser Endesa (ESP), skippered by Juan Luiz Paez. Their third place today was enough to secure the Portugal Trophy on countback from Roma Mk2 (ITA), but Islas Canarias Puerta Calero (ESP) still lead the Series.

Video highlights from the last day of the Portugal Trophy. Portimao, 23 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Seventh for Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) to Artemis’ (SWE) disappointing tenth in today’s one and only race was enough for the Kiwi team to prevail, but the final contest was a difficult one to call throughout with a streaky 5-9 knots of sea breeze mixed with some north westerly gradient wind, especially towards the windward mark.

With a 1.5 points lead in the regatta Artemis, missing tactician Paul Cayard (USA) for the final day, could only make a modest opening at the pin end of the start line, while Bigamist 7, the Portuguese entry lead to the windward mark.

On the first downwind the Russian pair Valars and Synergy mined the left, inshore line and passed the Portuguese team with the Synergy winning from Valars, the first time the two Russians have taken the top two places.

The key move for Emirates Team New Zealand was on the second beat when they were able to halt the recovery of Artemis, tacking on top of them and bouncing them above the lay line, but even down the final run the breeze looked shaky, ready to shift or collapse at any minute.

Relief, once again, rather than elation was the mood among the hard working New Zealand outfit. As the time limit expired at 1600hrs and with it the chances of a second race, general satisfaction with another job well done was evident. The steely, professional face drops when the champagne comes on board, and they are getting rather used to it.

With Artemis in second for the regatta, Terry Hutchinson’s Quantum Racing finished in third, just 1.5 points ahead of Bigamist 7, who finished fourth overall for the third time this season.


Emirates Team New Zealand lead the Audi MedCup Circuit, 52 points astern are Matador (ARG) on 170.5 points but only five points behind them are Quantum Racing, third, and Artemis, fourth, both on 175.5 points.

Winning skipper Dean Barker (NZL) commented that throughout the regatta they had never felt like they were sailing as well as last month’s win in Sardinia, confirming that they still have plenty to work on before Carthagena, Murcia, a venue which proved extremely challenging last year.

CEO and mast-man Grant Dalton (NZL), agreed: "We are relieved. It was a pretty tough regatta. I think we identified that as soon as we got here, that this was going to be tough, and I think we also identified Artemis as the boat which could beat us. And it felt that all the way. So we are just pleased to have got through another one really."

He continued: "It’s a big lead now, but we know what can happen, you can still sail badly, it changes pretty quickly. There are always improvements to be made and we made plenty of mistakes in this regatta."

Despite their relatively poor performance in Portimao, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero are the overall leaders in the GP42's. Portimao, 23 August 2009. Photo copyright Pedro Martinez

GP42 Series: Endesa wins the battle

Today’s single race in the GP42 Series was never easy to predict, as the lead changed several times depending on who was where on the shift cycle, the game of tactical chess, and lanes of leftover pressure in the dying seabreeze.

Caser-Endesa (ESP), for example, seemed to have a horrid start, late on the line by three lengths and having to tack early to port. But that move may have been fortuitous, as a right shift on the first beat got them right back into the game. That very same shift benefited Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) even more, as they vaulted beyond the tacking duels into a commanding lead at the top mark, one that would never be challenged except by Roma 2 (ITA) on the final fluky run into the finish.

And Roma’s runner-up finish was remarkable in itself, as they were no better than last around the first top mark, redeemed only by having split from the pack to the left on the second beat to vault into second.

Caser-Endesa’s two victories to Roma’s one wins them the Portugal Trophy, but Islas Canarias Puerto Calero’s win gets them tied up in the war for the lead in the overall GP42 Series. With one event left, Roma 2 and the Kids from Canarias are now tied on 82 points, making for a final showdown at Stage 5 in Cartagena.

"We think for the excitement of the circuit, this is a really good scenario,” says Daniel Calero (ESP), owner of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. “But it means the pressure will really be on in Cartagena!"

Audi MedCup Circuit 2009 - Overall (4 events)

TP52 Series
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 38+27,5+28+25= 118,5 points
2. Matador (ARG), 36+47,5+42,5+44,5= 170,5 points
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 40+41,5+65+29= 175,5 points
4. Artemis (SWE), 37+62,5+49,5+26,5= 175,5 points
5. Bigamist (POR), 46+55,5+57+30,5= 189 points
...

GP42 Series
1. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 20+23+23+16= 82 points
2. Roma (ITA), 22+17+30+13= 82 points
3. Caser-Endesa (ESP), 33+27+26+13= 99 points
4. Airis (ITA), 21+38+28+25= 112 points
5. Turismo Madrid (ESP), 35+35+43+23= 136 points
...

Russians dominate today's 1st race in Portimao; Emirates Team NZ overall leader again

[Source: AUDI Medcup] A seventh place compared to Artemis' tenth means the tables are turned and the winners of two consecutive regattas, Emirates Team New Zealand, now lead the Portugal Trophy by 1.5 points.

The SW'ly 5-9 knots sea breeze proved unstable, streaky and challenging with puffs, lifting shifts from the right side, especially up towards the windward mark in the Lagos-Alvors corner. After Bigamist lead around the first mark, by virtue of their early hitch inshore to the right, it was the Russian pair Valars and Synergy which then profited on the downwind leg when they, too, stayed inshore, closer to the beach.

Leading the Portugal Trophy into Race 7, Artemis were found wanting at the start when they failed to nail the pin end start they sought. From eighth position they dropped to tenth on the final run. Emirates Team New Zealand also slid on the last downwind, dropping to a seventh but lead the regatta again.

The Race Committe are holding racing until a more settled breeze returns.

ETNZ lead by 1.5 from Artemis who are 2.5 points up on Quantum Racing, with Bigamist only 1.5 points shy of their first podium finish.

In the GP42 Series, Spanish Caser Endesa's third place mean they are tied on points with Roma for the regatta lead. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero won ahead of Roma, but the spanish team is still suffering Thursday's double 5.