Quantum Racing Announces New Helmsman for 2011 Season

[Source: Quantum Racing] America’s Cup winner and world champion helmsman Ed Baird has joined the Quantum Racing team as helmsman for the 2011 season. Baird assumes the position following the decision by Terry Hutchinson, helmsman since 2008, to compete in the 34th America’s Cup.

Ed Reynolds, President of Quantum Sail Design Group and Managing Director for Quantum Racing, says Baird’s expertise as both a sailor and coach make him a great fit for the team, which clinched the TP52 World Champion- ship title earlier this month. “Ed is an 11-time world champion, has sailed with many of the guys on our team and is very much committed to our program, which is as much about product development as it is winning races. Ed’s accomplishments both on and off the water are impressive and his analytical approach to sailing is a real asset. We’re very excited to bring him on board and will value his expertise as we work to put a new boat, rig and sails on the water.”

Ed Baird is the new Quantum Racing helmsman

Reynolds adds, “We wish Terry all the best as he prepares for the America’s Cup. He’s done an excellent job for us and we’re grateful for his sailing leadership and contributions to our test team program. This is not unexpected, as we’ve been aware of Terry’s aspirations to one day join an AC campaign. We’ve had a great run with Terry at the helm and fully expect his participation in the America’s Cup to be just as successful.”

Baird joins Quantum Racing with an appreciation for its accomplishments and purpose. “Terry Hutchinson has done a great job with this team. He’s had a lot to do with the personnel and process of developing the equipment and the product. I see my role as continuing to lead the team at a high level. The team has an impressive history from which to move forward. Our focus is on continuing to look for ways to improve and advancing the process of making fast sails and putting them together with fast boats, fast rigs and great people. I’ll be in the middle of all this and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Baird has racing experience in nearly every type of boat including TP52s when they were a new class. Baird was the winning helmsman of America’s Cup 32 aboard Alinghi, the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, and was part of the 1995 America’s Cup winning team, Team New Zealand. Baird has raced in the Whitbread Round-the-World Race, is a three-time Match Racing World Champion and the only American ever to reach #1 on the ISAF World Match Racing rankings. Baird also has extensive Grand Prix and Olympic racing experience and numerous World, International and North American one-design championships to his credit.

In the coming months, Baird will be involved in the process to put a new boat on the water for the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit. “We have plenty to plan and organize, and before you know it the boat will be built and ready for launch!”

Quantum Racing serves as a test platform to evaluate and validate Quantum’s iQ® Technology process for sail development and the company’s Fusion M® sails. It is winner of the 2010 and 2008 TP52 World Championships and runner-up in the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit.

Head view

Our friend Keith Brash has just produced another great video by putting a cam on the head of Quantum's mid bowman during last week's TP52 Worlds in Valencia.

Phil 'Bloodsie' Jameson (Mid Bow) during last week's TP52 World Championship. Valencia, 8 October 2010. Video copyright Keith Brash

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

Emirates Team NZ become first ever team to retain the Audi MedCup title

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Just as they did last year Emirates Team New Zealand clinched their second successive Audi MedCup Circuit win with two racing days of the 2010 season to spare.

After Thursday’s coastal race the supreme Kiwis under skipper-helm Dean Barker had built themselves an unbeatable lead and in the end, after today’s one final blustery race in a Mistral of more than 28 knots off Cagliari, Sardinia the champions rounded out their second victorious season to finish 48.5 points ahead of Quantum Racing (USA) who finish runners-up, as they also did last season..

Alberto Roemmers’ Matador (ARG), the current world champions skippered by Guillermo Parada (ARG), comprehensively won the Region of Sardinia Trophy, the fifth and final regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit season, finishing 12.5 points ahead of Jochen Schuemann’s Franco-German crew on Audi A1 powered by All4ONE.

The Kiwi 2010 champions, become the first team ever in the six year history of the circuit to win back-to-back MedCup Circuit champion titles. They won the top regatta trophy in Cascais, were fourth in Marseille, second in Barcelona, triumphed in Murcia and finished third on countback here in Cagliari.

The world's best monohull sailing team surfing the waves to overall championship victory. Cagliari, 25 September 2010. Photo copyright Stefano Gattini / AUDI Medcup

Emirates Team New Zealand set themselves on course for overall victory from the outset of the season in breezy Cascais, Portugal in May where they established an initial lead of 20 points, winning three races as well as the key coastal race there.

When last season they streaked to win four in a row of 2009’s five regattas, unmatched consistency has underpinned their victory again this season.

They won ten of this 2010 season’s 44 52 Series races. Last year they won 14 races from 43 starts. Skipper Dean Barker, Emirates Team New Zealand’s skipper -helm highlighted today how much harder this season has been for them to prevail overall.

Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the Quantum Racing (USA) crew finish second overall for the season, just five points ahead of Matador.

When they seized the lead on the second beat of today’s race the world champions seemed to have pulled themselves up to within touching distance of second place on the Circuit.

After winning the 2010 AUDI Medcup, Emirates Team NZ are staring at the unknown. Cagliari, 25 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

With incumbents Quantum Racing five boats behind it might then have gone down to a match race for second, but as they hoisted their kite for the final run it exploded and they were left sitting for minutes while four boats passed them.

They only just managed to get a new spinnaker filling to stay ahead of their green and black hulled adversaries. With a win in the final race of the season Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE finish second at this season’s finale, just as they also did in Portugal in May.

2010 Audi MedCup Circuit - Final results
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31,5+31+35+35.5+38= 171 points
2. Quantum Racing (USA), 59.5+22,5+44+53.5+40= 219.5
3. Matador (ARG), 60+27+67+45+25.5= 224.5
4. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59.5+31+63+46.5+41,5= 241.5
5. Artemis (SWE), 57+53+33+64+49.5= 256.5
6. Synergy (RUS), 64+35.5+73+68.5+38.5= 279.5
7. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51.5+29,5+84+78+38= 281
8. Bribón (ESP), 88+41+58+70+45.3= 296,5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43.5+62+85,5+62= 318
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77,5+44.5+73+69+74.5= 338.5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78+70+78.5+102= 416.5

Quantum Racing announces new boat for 2011

Note: Quantum Racing's new boat is, obviously, a TP52 but due to a strange twist of fate neither the AUDI Medcup nor the TP52 class have the right to use the words "TP52" or "Transpac52" in Italy. All rights in that country are owned by Ricardo Simoneschi and since the closing event of the 2010 season takes place in Cagliari, there can be no mention of those words in the official press releases.

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Long time Audi MedCup Circuit competitors and fans Quantum Racing are the first of several teams to announce that they will campaign a new build boat for next season. Today at the Region of Sardinia Trophy in Cagliari Quantum Racing announced that they will build a new boat for the 2011 Circuit.

Their 2008 Audi MedCup championship winning programme was the culmination of investment and participation on the world’s leading regatta circuit, having competed with Lexus in the inaugural year 2005, through the Quantum-powered Warpath and Windquest before the present Quantum Racing (USA) took to the water in 2008. Quantum Racing finished second last year, and lie second overall on the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit.


The new Quantum Racing will follow a very similar established winning recipe, being designed by Botin Carkeek and built in Spain by Chimo Lopez Longtitude Zero in Burriana, ready for launching and work up in the Mediterranean early next season.

Project manager Ed Reynolds, President of Quantum Sail Design Group said: "We want to support the Audi MedCup. I've watched for years when a new one design class or a new boat comes out and it's always like ‘well if you sell six boats we'll buy one’. Somebody just has to stand up first and say ‘we believe the direction, we believe the new concept and we like the new boats. We're going to be here for a while and hopefully it will all kind of give enough confidence to some of the other teams to say yes, the Audi MedCup is going to be here for a while Let’s step up and go too".

"The Audi MedCup is the most competitive, highest level of monohull racing ever, it is so intense, so defined, and I personally believe what's happened with the Americas Cup with multihulls has created an amazing opportunity for the Medcup to truly take a grip of grand prix, the ultimate level of sailing in the world."

Nacho Postigo (ESP), Audi MedCup Circuit Technical Director, added: “It is great that Quantum Racing is the first of a good number of teams to commit to building new boats for next year. It makes me very happy because they have been sponsoring a boat since Day 1, since 2005, and it proves well that the Circuit recovers your investment very nicely. That is on the business part of the equation. But to have one of the teams which have been consistently top three returning is great, too, because it means that the high level will be maintained, but it is also a level which can be achieved by individual, private owners as well.”

Video: Onboard the TP52 Quantum Racing in Barcelona

While BMW Oracle is carrying out its TV trials in Valencia, the TP52 fleet is busy racing in Barcelona and among the 11 TP52 yachts that are taking part in the regatta, Quantum has by far the best TV footage. Here's a short clip from the start of a race. It's a pit though we can't hear what Terry Hutchinson and the rest of the crew are saying.

Onboard the TP52 Quantum Racing during the start of a race. Barcelona, 22 July 2010. Video copyright Keith Brash / Quantum TV

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

Video: Highlights from the third day of the Marseille Trophy

Highlights from the third day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Quantum Racing kings under the Calanques

[Source: AUDI Medcup] After winning on this track for the second year in a row Quantum Racing could be justified in claiming ownership of one of the most spectacular race tracks there is on the Audi MedCup Circuit, the 36 miles circuit down along spectacular calanques limestone cliffs to Cassis and back.

Carrying a 1.5 points bounty the win their third of the Marseille Trophy so far, gives the 2008 Audi MedCup champions a lead of 4.5 points over Matador who stole third in the closing stages of a spectacular, exciting coastal race.

It was pure, distilled, classic Marseille. Winds peaked at nearly 25 knots with big seas to ride on the 10 miles downwind leg to the turning mark off Cassis, the scenic little town which lies in a quiet bay cut from the towering cliffs. On the downwind leg the sustained surfing action was quite simply as good as it gets, and on the return leg along the base of the cliffs, it is fantastic, powerful upwind sailing in flatter water.

Quantum Racing wins the coastal race. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Photo copyright Nico Martinez / AUDI Medcup

Impeccable
The Quantum Racing team sailed an impeccable race.
The pressure was added at the start with the TP52 fleet knowing that there might be few big tactical opportunities after leaving the bay of Marseille. It was another pin sharp start from the Quantum Racing afterguard which allowed them to track left early with Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis lead around the windward mark with Quantum Racing on their tails but on the first run Emirates Team New Zealand gybed early and the American team were able to get around the leeward gate first.

From there Quantum Racing were never really challenged.

Jochen Schuemann, Sebastien Col and the Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE were probably the quickest on the water today and had overhauled the Kiwi team, but just after half way back up the long beat home, the Franco-German team lost their jib.

They had to send a man up the mast quickly to retrieve the halyard and that lost them ground to the current champions. Audi A1 took third place across the finish, whilst Matador’s never say die spirit was rewarded when they managed to grab fourth on the finish line.

The TP52 fleet sails the coastal race under superb conditions. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Photo copyright Carlo Borlenghi / AUDI Medcup

Equipment Failures
It was a muscular day which exposed any small imperfections in crew work, or equipment. Britain’s TeamOrigin 1851 had some of their good work on Thursday undone when their jib slipped down on the first beat when they were dicing for second place, they fought back but could only make sixth.

But the most unfortunate team were Bribon who lost their forestay strop and had to nurse their boat to the finish under mainsail only.

Quotes of the day:

Morgan Larson (USA) tacitician Quantum Racing (USA): “We like that race course. It was slightly different to last year, but not that much. I think it was a pretty straightforward race, we put the right sails up at the right time, boat handling was good. I reckon that is probably the best race I have sailed with this team in two years. I don’t think there is anything especially different. For us it is nice to have Doug de Vos with us. He knows his way around the boat which is nice. It is the first regatta he has done with us. He is not just sitting on the rail, he is sort of the mast man and doing a lot of grinding.”
“I think the addition of Phil Jameson, ‘Blood’, who joined as at the back end of last season, is a great addition. He has so much experience and is a great trouble shooter. We had a few mechanical issues before the start and one or two issues during the race and he sorted them out.”
“Visually that is beautiful course and tactically it is great. There are a lot of rocks and turns. You think it is the same every year but there are still bits where you are thinking where the mark is. Historically it has always been good for us and it is great because you sail outside in big winds and waves and then come upwind in flat water and along the cliffs.”

Once again, Team Origin suffered from gear failure. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / Team Origin

Ray Davies (NZL), tactician ETNZ (NZL): " We've finished second, so we are very happy with that but it's been a very tricky tough race. We've had a very good first leg, and then down the long run down to the bottom end Audi were flying they sailed past us they caught up towards Quantum as well they were going the best downwiind and they surfed straight over the top of us and they just kept going. Then on the beat upwind they had some troubles with the genoa, they did a very good job of recovering, first they had to drop it and then re-hoist it, and then started pulling out of the foil. Conditions were great, it was perfect sailing, it got up to 26-27 knots sometimes down the run. But it was a long way upwind, a lot of hiking, there will be a lot of people wanting a massage tonight that's for sure."

Jochen Schuemann (GER), Audi A1 All4One (GER): " The most important part of the race was the long downwind where we were quite fast and could overtake ETNZ and we were in second position there down in Cassis, but unfortunately when we got a solid second place there we broke our jib halyard and we had to drop the jib, put it up again on the spinnaker halyard and also Jean Marie had to climb up twice in the rig to fix it so that we could continue sailing, and for all that drama we can be very happy of being so close to ETNZ in the finish, they passed us but it was a very nice race."

TP52 Series - Overall – Day 3
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

Quantum leads TP52 Marseille Trophy with 2 bullets on opening day

[Source: AUDI Medcup] It was a day of sharply contrasting fortunes for past and present Audi MedCup Champions on the Rade Sud today as the Marseille Trophy opened with three races which proved a very different test to last month’s breezy curtain raiser in Cascais, Portugal. Iberdrola won the GP42 Series Practice Race.

As 2008 champions Quantum Racing rekindled their winning mojo with back to back wins in Races 2 and 3 to lead the regatta at the end of the first day, the reigning champions came off the water in ninth of ten and 2007 circuit winners in tenth.

Breezes rarely topped ten knots but it was the changes in strength and direction which made life especially testing for afterguards. Taking the positive benefits of the bend generated by the steep, bluff Marseilleveyre mountains was usual key. But there was no simple strategy, there were many traps, zones of light winds which were best avoided.

Great performance by Terry Hutchinson and the Quantum crew. Marseille, 16 June 2010. Photo copyright Guido Trombetta / AUDI Medcup

With Morgan Larson (USA), who won as tactician for the 2008 champions, returned to the afterguard fold for this regatta, Quantum Racing’s starts were strong and their tactical sailing a good blend of pushing when they needed to and managing the risks in the patchy breezes.

They were able to hold off Synergy (RUS) by only 3 seconds in a thrilling finish to Race 2.

Winning, ahead of Audi A1 powered by All4One in the third race, sees Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the team end the day locked even on 10 points with the very consistent Matador (ARG) whose 3,3,4 for the day is a welcome tonic after their slightly disappointing Portugal Trophy regatta.

Emirates Team New Zealand unfortunately repeated that off-key start that they made to the season’s first races, tenth in the first contest which was won by Bribon.

This time, in the lighter conditions which are not the powerful Kiwi boat’s favourite, they failed to bounce back into the top tier of the fleet during the following two races, but so close are the points in this extremely tight class that they are only four points shy of the top half of the fleet.

Team Origin's dreadful performance continued in the opening day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 16 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / Team Origin

Quotes:

Terry Hutchinson, skipper Quantum Racing (USA): “It’s been a great day, actually one of the best days we’ve had in a lot on Quantum Racing. In the first race what happened is that it got a little light and funky, and everything we did was a little bit off, but we made it up in the next two. The wind was shifty, tricky and puffy, and very hard to read, actually that was the hardest part in the first race, was trying to see the wind. It was a tricky day.”

Guillermo Parada (ARG), helmsman Matador (ARG): "I think the clue today was to sail conservative, we could have done some gainings and passed some boats, but we've decided no to take any risks instead. But we are happy about the way we sailed, though this is only the beginning, but better to start like this than other ways."

“ We had overall a good day, we had a first very good race and a second very good race and in the middle the second race didn't go that well, it's very shifty and tricky and in the second race we had a clear idea of what we wanted to do but at the end we didn't do it and we ended up second last so it's a good example on how close everything is so we had a second, a second last and a second over.”

Christian Scherrer (SWI), trimmer Audi A1 powered ALL4ONE (GER): "We had overall a good day, we had a first very good race and a second very good race and in the middle the second race didn't go that well, it's very shifty and tricky and in the second race we had a clear idea of what we wanted to do but at the end we didn't do it and we ended up second last so it's a good example on how close everything is so we had a second, a second last and a second overall good but we are a bit unhappy about the second race."

Emirates Team New Zealand started the Marseille Trophy on a wrong foot. They couldn't have sailed worse than that. Marseille, 16 June 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / Team Origin

Gonzalo Araujo (ESP), helmsman Bribón (ESP): “Today we had our ups and downs. Very good beginning, we had a very good start in the first one, we went towards the left, which was the good side and from there on the race has been quite easy, plus we had a good pace, although we had to watch Matador who was following close. In the second one we had an early start and the truth is that it has been a hard race from the beginning, there was a moment we could have catch up, but we didn’t and the last race the same, a bad start, and we were forced to the right so we had no chance to pass. We know that if we sail a perfectly we can win races, but it’s hard.”

Dean Barker (NZL), helmsman Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): “It was shifty, puffy and big holes and we certainly did not sail particularly well. It is always hard to focus on any one thing we did wrong, but we did not get to the best side of the course at the right time. I think that basically the other boats sailed better than us today. There is nothing too much to get stressed about, we just need to have a good consistent day tomorrow, and get some consistency into it. If there is a weakness with the boat it is in this, light and lumpy.”

Marseille Trophy TP52 Series - Overall – Day 1

1. Quantum Racing (USA), 8+1+1=10 points
2. Matador (ARG), 3+3+4= 10
3. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 2+9+2= 13
4. Cristabella (GBR), 6+4+3= 13
5. Bribón (ESP), 1+8+8= 17
6. Synergy (RUS), 9+2+6= 17
7. TeamOrigin (GBR), 4+7+7= 18
8. Luna Rossa (ITA), 5+5+10= 20
9. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 10+6+5= 21
10. Artemis (SWE), 7+12(RAF)+9= 28
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 12(DNC)+12(DNC)+12(DNC)= 36

Tight at the top of the AUDI Medcup Portugal Trophy

[Source: AUDI Medcup] TeamOrigin (GBR) go into Race 6 of the Portugal Trophy Cascais regatta with a lead of two points over Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) who are on equal points with Synergy (RUS). In the GP42 Series, Puerto Calero (ESP) leads after winning boath races on day 1.

Quantum Racing (USA) will still race today without skipper-helm Terry Hutchinson (USA) with tactician Adrian Stead (GBR) standing in as helm again. Hutchinson is under observation for his head knock which he sustained before racing yesterday but is expected to return for Saturday’s coastal race.

In the GP 42 class two wins yesterday for defending champions Puerto Calero (ESP) means they go into their third race with a two points lead.

The wind forecast for the day promises winds slightly lighter than yesterday, 13-20 knots from the North West.

Follow the leader... Cascais, 13 May 2010. Photo copyright Ainhoa Sanchez / AUDI Medcup

Luna Rossa and Quantum Racing line up in Valencia

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Training off Valencia in perfect conditions currently are the 2008 Audi MedCup champions Quantum Racing (USA) pairing up with one of this year's hot debutant teams Luna Rossa (ITA) who are due to race at the first regatta of the season, the Portugal Trophy in Cascais (May 11-16).

The Botin Carkeek designed Quantum Racing has had additional modifications done through the off-season months as well as the standard updates which all the TP52 fleet have completed in line with the rule changes for this season.

Luna Rossa was most recently known as Pisco Sour and is a Judel Vrolijk design built in Italy by Carbolab. The Luna Rossa afterguard will include Torben Grael (BRA) as tactician, Robert Scheidt (BRA) as helmsman and recent America's Cup winner Matteo Plazzi (ITA) as navigator.

Botin Carkeek - TP52 2010 modifications

I doubt there is anyone better suited to talk about the modifications on the TP52 yachts for 2010 than Marcelino Botín, designer of Quantum Racing (Medcup & World Champion in 2008 and Medcup & World runner up in 2009) and Emirates Team NZ (Medcup chamion in 2009). So, here's what Botín had to say about his two designs:

The main modifications to both our TP52s have been done mainly to meet the new 2010 rule changes.

Emirates Team NZ did clever improvements all over the boat to further optimize every system, under the supervision of Richard Meacham. We have reviewed the new larger sailplan with our CFD/VPP technology at different sailing conditions, and designed a new rudder to match the predicted changes to overall balance. Also a heavier bulb and a new bowsprit were fitted, under the guidance of principal structural engineer Giovanni Belgrano. Wind Tunnel sessions were carried out in Auckland as well, to come up with a new gennaker concept.

Emirates Team NZ testing their TP52 yacht in breezes between 22 and 28 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Emirates Team NZ testing their TP52 yacht in breezes between 22 and 28 knots. Auckland, 12 March 2010. Photo copyright Chris Cameron / Emirates Team NZ

Quantum Racing received a major upgrade, as we have designed a new deck shape and layout. This was done in close collaboration with the team, which had several new ideas to keep improving. The boat is being modified at Longitud 0 yard in Castellon, were it was originally built. A new bulb and bowsprit have also been designed for them. Our CFD engineer Alberto Porto has worked closely with Quantum’s head designer Dave Armitage, and a full aerodynamic optimization programme has been carried out on the new 2010 sailplan. This work has been going on since early 2008 with great success.

Quantum leads TP52 Worlds on tricky opening day

[Source: TP52 World Championship] The autumn evening sun was already dipping low in the sky as Quantum Racing (USA) took the winning gun for the second of two races today at the TP52 World Championships off Palma, Mallorca. Their win, paired with a fifth from the first heat ensures the current world champions lead overall by a single point.

Even if the sea breeze took its time to build and only peaked with short spells offering 11 knots and mostly averaged around 6-8 knots, it proved a tricky afternoon over which the usual Palma tactical conventions did not always hold true, and consistency in the ten boat fleet across these first two windward-leeward races proved elusive.

After two races Quantum Racing (USA) lead the Russian team on Synergy who took a second and fifth and are matched on the same seven points tally by Alberto Roemmers’ current Copa del Rey champions on Matador (ARG) who took a third and a fourth.

Real Club Nautico de Palma member John Cook on the helm of Cristabella - which last year won the Copa del Rey as Iberdrola with Terry Hutchinson as tactician - triumphed in the first race. The British crew, with Manchester export John Cutler (NZL) as tactician, recognised the additional wind pressure and small shift to the right of the course on the first beat, and after a modest start, were able to cross the fleet two thirds of the way up the leg. They lead at the windward turn by a clear 40 metres from Synergy and went on to win by 22 seconds with Matador third.

It proved a morale boosting opening for the British owner Cook who is current chairman of the TP52 fleet and has been a member of the host club for more than 15 years, where he has based six different Cristabella yachts, three TP52’s since 2005.

Video highlights from the opening day of the TP52 World Championship. Palma, 7 October 2009. Video copyright TP52 World Championship 2009

Previous to this the Cristabella crew’s most memorable victory was in 2006 when the they won one of the most exciting coastal races ever of the MedCup Circuit, racing around Formentera in 2006. And it is Cristabella’s best World Championships race yet, after a second placing in 2007 in Porto Cervo.

It was after 1800hrs in the early evening when Quantum Racing’s afterguard of Morgan Larson (USA) and Mark Mendelblatt (USA) conspired to read the opening beat of the second race to best effect, calling the favourable left shift on the left of the track ahead of the slight extra pressure on the right. The current champions were ahead at the windward mark to lead local favourites Bribón across the finish.

With Gonzalo Araujo steering, the Spanish boat was well placed off the pin end of the start line and also profited to the left on the first beat, able to hold off the 2007 champions Artemis who took third.


TP52 World Championship 2009 - Overall standings after Day 1

1. Quantum Racing (USA, Terry Hutchinson), 5+1= 6 points
2. Synergy (RUS, Sergey Pichuguin), 2+5= 7 points
3. Matador (ARG, Alberto Roemmers), 3+4= 7 points
4. Bribón (ESP, Gonzalo Araujo), 7+2= 9 points
5. Cristabella (GBR, John Cook), 1+9=10 points

Morgan Larson, tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):
“ It proved to be every bit as challenging today as Palma can be. Sometimes it is like that where the right looks windier but everyone knows about that geographical left shift. I think the race committee did a nice job of making the right hand a little favoured so it was enticing and so Cristabella got it right. We thought it would be about one in ten times when the right paid out big and it happened, they did a nice job.”

“ Second race was great for us. It was still a challenge because we knew the fleet was thinking right and the pressure looked to be on the right, but we were happy to go for the left shift. That made it easy to take the pin and it paid out.”

“ The MedCup you are building points throughout and so you are trying to podium each event and you are always thinking about the overall, this is the world championships and so no one is sailing conservative, everyone is going all out to win.”

“ And it has a nice atmosphere, it is nice to be finally at a yacht club and Palma is always a nice City to come to, and it is also really nice to see a couple of new boats to the fleet, some new faces out there.”

“ We don’t really think of it as being here to defend our title, it’s a world championship. If you can win a world championship you’d be happy, and this was a good way to begin. I am sure there will be some tricky days ahead.”

AUDI Medcup - Cartagena Trophy: Bribón wins TP52 practice race

The Cartagena Trophy kicked off earlier today and the 10-strong TP52 fleet carried out its official practice program, consisting of the usual two prestarts and one full race. After yesterday's rain, due to a cold front sitting over most of eastern Spain, the weather that prevailed during the day was sunny and warm but the teams had to do with quite light wind conditions. The breeze picked up during the day but it never went over 12 knots by the time the practice race was over.

Bribón, the Spanish King's boat, with Frenchman Thierry Péponnet at the helm, won the race with ease. The key to the race was the greater pressure on the left side of the course and this is exactly what Bribón did. After crossing the start line at the pin end, Peponnet helmed the Spanish TP52 furthest to the left and benefited from the extra push. Emirates Team New Zealand opted as well for the left but were unable to overtake the Spanish that also were able to extend their lead in the final run. If today's race reflects the results during the rest of the week, it seems it will be nearly impossible to beat the kiwi war machine and steal them the Medcup title.

Synergy finished 3rd but the real battle was between Artemis, Quantum and Matador, the three teams that vie for the two remaining spots in the podium. Artemis was 4th, Quantum crossed the finish line closely behind them while the Argentineans were further behind.

Quotes of the day

Terry Hutchinson, helmsman on Quantum Racing: The practice race was pretty good. We had a good start, we got a little bit unlucky in the first beat,we had a good first run and a good second beat but again we got a little bit unlucky during the last run to the finish. We are a little disappointed but this is a practice race. We also worked on sails today and as a result a lot of things will improve.

This was a practice race and the real battle will start tomorrow. I'm not really concerned about anything. We come to this regatta with the goal to win it and get a spot on the podium. I will not be happy if we end up fourth overall but there is reasonable chance we could. There are four boats that chase two spots and this will make it really, really hard. As I said in the team briefing this morning our aim is to sail a good regatta and we do then we'll finish the season with a good result.

Vasco Vascotto, helmsman on Artemis: Practice day was fine but as far as I'm concerned I need to take a big leap in quality because this is a tremendous team and it's the third hour I've been helming this boat after more than two years without helming a TP52 yacht. We had a good start, something very important in this fleet, and sailed well. Downwind we have good boat speed but upwind I'm not as good as I should be. In tomorrow's briefing we'll talk about that and hopefully find the solution to sailing faster.

The Vascotto-Cayard duo in the afterguard works in an impressive way!! [laughs] Seriously now, we have a good feeling and we are friends since a long time. These are the ingredients that lead to a good result. This is also our aim in this regatta, to sail the best way we can. We obviously want to finish the season in the top three overall but you first need to sail well.

Video onboard Quantum Racing
Valencia Sailing was onboard Terry Hutchinson's Quantum Racing. We tried to get a different view of the prestart procedure from withing the cockpit.

First practice prestart onboard Quantum. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Second practice prestart onboard Quantum. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Photos of the day
Being onboard Quantum Racing our photos are limited to what one can capture from within one of the competing yachts.

Quantum's "grey matter", from left, Skip Baxter (mainsail trimmer), Terry Hutchinson (helmsman) and Mark Mandelblatt (strategist). Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum during the practice race. Tactician Morgan Larson (standing) checks the wind. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Strategist Mark Mandelblatt tries to decipher the wind from the mast. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mainsail grinder Sean Clarkson ready to fire up. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis with Vasco Vascotto at the helm and Paul Cayard calling tactics. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Guillermo Parada and the rest of the Matador crew will have to sail flawlessly in order to secure second place overall for the season. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Guillermo Parada and the rest of the Matador crew will have to sail flawlessly in order to secure second place overall for the season. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Artemis, Matador and Bigamist are the three teams that together with Quantum vie for 2nd or 3rd position overall. Cartagena, 14 September 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The return of Quantum Racing in the AUDI Medcup

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Back on the waters where they won the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit title a little less than a year ago, Terry Hutchinson and the crew of Quantum Racing gave themselves the best possible tonic after their disspointing seventh place finish last month in Sardinia when they won the first two races of the Portugal Trophy regatta today, then fought back to a well earned fourth place in the third contest to lead the event by three clear points.

It was an interesting, testing day for the ten TP52 crews off Portimao as the early, light sea breeze built for the first race before it gave way to the NW’ly gradient wind which offered two excellent races in which big gains and losses were available dependant on the shifty, puffy conditions presented racing closer to the Algarve shore.

Video highlights from the opening day of the Portugal Trophy. Portimao, 19 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Across the day it proved a comprehensive test, from the finesse and tactical racing of the light sea breeze to bursts of downwind planing in the third race the reigning champions proved to themselves they have the tools, skills and most all perhaps the confidence to win regattas. Their opening race win was their first winning gun since Marseille in June.

Their 1,1,4 for the day leaves them three points clear of 2007 champion owner-helm Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) and his team on Artemis who rolled out a consistent 3,4,2 to lead by two points a logjam of three teams on 11 points.

Local favourites Bigamist 7 lead the first race but failed to convert it to a winning gun, but they did make amends when they won the third race, holding off Artemis to lie third overall after the first day’s racing.


GP42 Series Practice Race

Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) who won last month in Sardinia and lead the series won the GP42 Practice Race after Roma 2, driven by Paolo Cian, got off to the best start in this closely matched fleet. The Canarias team led by helmsman Jose Maria Ponce (ESP) passed all at the leeward gate to take the lead and hold it to the finish.

Making his GP42 Series debut as tactician on Turismo Madrid (ESP), veteran match racer and French America’s Cup alumnist Philippe Presti shared his thoughts on racing in this small but intense fleet.

Audi MedCup Circuit 2009 - Portugal Trophy

TP52 Series - Overall - Day 1
1. Quantum Racing (USA), 1+1+4= 6 points
2. Artemis (SWE), 3+4+2= 9 points
3. Bigamist (POR), 5+5+1= 11 points
4. Bribón (ESP), 6+2+3= 11 points
5. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 2+3+6= 11 points
...

GP42 Series - Practice Race
1. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP)
2. Roma (ITA)
3. Caser Endesa (ESP)
4. Turismo Madrid (ESP)
5. Airis (ITA)

Two wins in a row for Quantum in Portimao

[Source: AUDI Medcup] As the later afternoon breeze clocked into the north west and built to produce excellent racing in 13-17 knots of wind Quantum Racing also won the second race of the Portugal Trophy regatta, leading from the windward mark to the finish. Bribon gained on the second downwind to pass Emirates Team New Zealand on the final run to take second place.

With the windward mark closer in to the shore, at the western corner of the bay off Alvor, the gain was to the right by the west extension of the Praia Rocha beach. Quantum Racing (USA) made another strong start which allowed them to tack early and lead around the windward mark with Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) second.

Second victory for Terry Hutchinson and Quantum. Portimao, 19 August 2009. Photo copyright Richard Walch / Audi MedCup

Quantum wins 1st TP52 race in Portimao

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Quantum Racing recaptured their winning ways again on the waters where they last season secured themselves the Audi MedCup Circuit title, as they completed an excellent first race win at the Portugal Trophy off Portimao.

Local hopes sky-rocketed as Portuguese entry Bigamist 7 made a strong start off the pin end of the start line and lead around the windward turn in 8 knots of sea breeze, ahead of Quantum Racing (USA) with Artemis (SWE) in third.

Terry Hutchinson and the Quantum team managed to get down inside Bigamist on the run and were able to round the leeward gate ahead, in the lead. The current overall champions retained their composure nicely on the final ran when Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) enjoyed a close tussle – gybe and counter-gybe – with Artemis.

With all four leading boats overlapped at the finish Quantum Racing took first, with Emirates Team New Zealand stealing second, Artemis getting third and Matador (ARG) in fourth completing a good recovery from seventh place at the first mark.

Quantum wins TP52 practice race in Portimao

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Slightly modified expectations, a more relaxed attitude and sheer hard work may have combined to form a catalyst for Audi MedCup champions Quantum Racing to bounce back after their disappointing seventh place finish last month in Cagliari, Sardinia.

The 2009 Circuit winning team are back on the Atlantic waters where last season they clinched the overall title and on the evidence of today’s practise race, which they won handily, nearly one minute ahead of Circuit leaders Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), they should not be written off.

Video highlights from the TP52 practice race. Portimao, 18 August 2009. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Racing in an unsettled and challenging light breeze of 7-10 knots, Quantum Racing (USA) started smartly off the committee boat end of the start line which allowed them to break early to the right side of the track and gain the benefit as the wind clocked slightly to the right. The black and green hulled Botin Carkeek design lead away at the first windward turn, nine seconds up on Italy’s Audi Q8. A good first run from Emirates Team New Zealand elevated them to second which they held to the finish.

Aboard Spain’s Bribon, Britain’s double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, guested for today on the helm, combining with fellow double medallists Thierry Pepponnet (FRA) and Ross McDonald (CAN), to take fourth place.

Robertson, who is no stranger to TP52’s after steering Eamon Conneely’s Copa del Rey winning Patches in the formative seasons of that programme, is visiting the Audi MedCup Circuit in her role as presenter of CNN’s Mainsail programme, coolly completed interviews and commentary as she steered Bribon around the course.


Emirates Team New Zealand’s second place today once more underlined their potency in the light to moderate conditions after working the left side of the course upwind on the first leg, they proved quick enough in the modest breezes. Tactician Ray Davies (NZL) repeated today that their strategy this week will be simply to ‘survive this regatta in good shape’ and to ‘keep our high averages up.’ The Kiwi team lead overall Audi MedCup Circuit TP52 Series by 32.5 points.

Portugal Trophy, TP52 Series, Practise Race.
1 Quantum Racing (USA)
2 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)
3 Matador (ARG)
4 Bribon (ESP)
5 Synergy (RUS)

Clarification: Vasco Vascotto - Quantum Racing

There is a clarification we would like to make on our article of yesterday regarding the issue of Vasco Vascotto being forced to, temporarily, put his TP52 Pisco Sour team on hold. It appears there was a certain degree of uncertainty as to the relation of Quantum Racing with it and in general with the cost-cutting measures we mentioned in the article.

First of all, at least in our opinion, it is obvious that if Vascotto has been unable to find the required funding to continue his campaign, no other team can be blamed for that. This is not even implied in our article.

Secondly, in no way whatsoever do we relate the two issues. Since we write about a team, former champion of the circuit, that is facing a tough financial situation we thought it would be wise to also comment on the cost-cutting measures the AUDI MedCup organisation is planning to implement. In this difficult global economic climate, all cost-cutting measures are welcome and the MedCup will not be alone in doing that. Just read Knut Frostad's, Volvo Ocean Race CEO, latest interview: "We have focused on cost-cutting while safeguarding the competitive element of the event". There is very little doubt the 34th America's Cup, regardless of who wins the 33rd, will focus on cost savings.

Last but certainly not least, Nacho Postigo, Technical Director of the AUDI Medcup circuit, doesn't explicitly refer to the Quantum Racing video we posted, the assumption is ours based on his words. Nor does anyone imply Quantum Racing cheated at any time. We only mention that, if the rules change as stated, this type of activity will not be allowed.