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

Quantum wins TP52 World Championship after thrilling final race

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

TP52 World Championship - Day 4: Onboard Synergy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TP52 World Championship - Coastal race: Onboard AUDI A1

Thursday, third day of the TP52 World Championship here in Valencia, was the coastal race but as Paul Cayard writes in his report, it is anything but coastal. In fact, the coast around Valencia, up to 30 miles north and 20 miles south, is practically a straight line, with a very flat landscape. In addition, there are no islands, islets or even rocks to be seen anywhere, so there are very few options left if one wants to hold a 25-mile long race.

The race committee set up a course quite similar to the Olympic triangles from the 1980's with 3 upwind legs (4 miles each), 2 downwind legs, 2 reaching legs and finally a spectacular entry into the Port America's Cup. Conditions were quite good, with a breeze between 12 and 18 knots but choppy seas.

I was onboard AUDI A1 that had a very good race and finished 3rd. The key to the race was the first upwind leg and its big right shift. Matador and Cristabella got it perfectly, especially the Argentineans that led from start to finish. AUDI A1 was one of the boats that opted for the left instead but still got a good lane and was fourth in the first windward gate, behind Matador, Cristabella and Bigamist. Just like it happened yesterday and the day before, the Portuguese are unable to hold on to their good position downwind and slip back. AUDI A1 was third at the leeward gate ahead of Synergy.

The rest of the race was quite uneventful, at least for the three leaders. The rich got richer and the poor poorer. Matador increased their lead and the real fight was between Cristabella and AUDI A1 for second place but the Franco-German team was never able to seriously threaten their adversary and finished third.

At the back of the fleet, Artemis and Quantum had a very difficult day and struggled to go up in the fleet. A fifth place for Quantum means they are still holding on to their overall leadership but by a single point over Matador. Finishing fourth in the coastal race, Synergy now moves to third overall, ahead of Artemis.

The first and decisive beat of the race. Furthest to the right, Matador. The Italian brainpower worked its magic once again on the Argentinean yacht. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Approaching the first weather mart Matador had already a very comfortable lead. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Promising start for a good future? Weapon of choice rounds the first weather mark ahead of Synergy, Artmeis and Quantum. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rounding the first weather mark onboard AUDI A1. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

From approximately halfway through the first run, until the end of the race, Synergy will remain behind AUDI A1. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

After slipping behind AUDI A1, Bigamist is overtaken by Synergy. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum, and especially, Artemis struggled to find their form. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Hoisting the spinnaker on AUDI A1. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

For a good part of the race that was the main view ahead of AUDI A1. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sebastian Col checking upon Cristabella and Matador that are entering the port. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AUDI A1 sailing into the canal. Valencia, 7 October 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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