I was attacked - but now I'm back. Rathers than spend too much time catching up - here's everything that backed up in the last day or so:
From the Townson 32 newsletter:
A New Townson 32 in the build!!! I have just received photos of a new Townson 32 being built! Isn't that amazing! They are up to the cabin decking stage and her sweet lines are very evident already. We will keep you informed of the progress of this new Townson 32. She is currently un named.
RC 44 CLASS ASSOCIATION PRESS RELEASE
RC 44s take flight as Artemis takes control
The Swedish team is the sole survivor after first day of match racing
VALENCIA, Spain (27 July 2010) - Small jibs and loose boom vangs were the order of the day as the RC 44 Valencia Cup got underway here in a pumping sea breeze that topped out at 20 knots.
Despite the strong wind off Malvarrosa Beach, the professional crews threw the light-displacement boats around with seeming ease.
In a day that saw seven flights and 28 match races completed, three crews made it through the first five flights undefeated. But only Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis escaped unscathed.
"We started well enough today and the boat was going well through the water," said Artemis skipper Terry Hutchinson, who finished the day at 6-0. "We had our best day boathandling, and we needed it today."
Three other teams finished the day with 4-1 records including Russell Coutts and the BMW ORACLE Racing team, Cameron Appleton's Team Aqua and James Spithill's 17. Rounding out the top five is Igor Lah's Ceeref at 3-1 with Rod Davis as skipper.
"We had a good day considering we weren't able to practice yesterday," said Davis, who suffered a slight injury when the mainsheet grazed his head. "We went in loose and are quite happy. The boys have been on the boat a long time and that was helpful today."
The day started mild with an east/southeasterly wind around 12 knots. But with the temperature inland topping out at 90 degrees, it quickly turned wild when the wind shifted to the southeast and built to 16 to 18 knots, with gusts up to 20 knots.
The race committee ordered the small jibs for the fourth flight of races, and VIP spectators were no longer allowed aboard to avoid the risk of injury during transfer from chase boat to race boat.
Corresponding with the increase in wind strength was an increase of incidents. Upwards of eight penalties were issued, three spinnakers ripped, one jib battered and one steering system damaged.
A couple of crews were forced to retire from races due to the damage, but for those who finished you would think the day was a walk in the park.
"This was one of the windiest days we've had match racing, but they're spectacular boats. They come alive downwind," Hutchinson said.
"My guys did a great job getting me out of trouble today," said Appleton. "I was the one causing the trouble."
The match racing portion of the RC 44 Valencia Cup continues tomorrow with another seven flights planned. Thursday is a scheduled practice day for the fleet racing portion of the regatta, which runs Friday through Sunday.
RC 44 VALENCIA CUP (Match racing, after seven of 14 flights) 1. Artemis / Terry Hutchinson (SWE) 6-0 2. BMW ORACLE Racing / Russell Coutts (USA) 4-1 2. Team Aqua / Cameron Appleton (UAE) 4-1 2. 17 / James Spithill (USA) 4-1 5. Ceeref / Rod Davis (SLO) 3-1 6. No Way Back / Pieter Heerema and Ray Davies (NED) 3-3 7. Team Sea Dubai / Markus Weiser (UAE) 2-4 8. Katusha / Paul Cayard (RUS) 1-3 9. Mascalzone Latino Audi Team / Tommaso Chieffi (ITA) 1-4 10. AEZ RC44 Sailing Team / Christian Binder (AUT) 0-5 10. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero / José Maria Ponce (ESP) 0-5
Photo: Copyright Ignacio Baixauli / RC44 Class - Russell Coutts and his team onboard BMW ORACLE Racing enjoyed today' rough sailing conditions. They won all their matches except the one against Artemis.
The 29th edition of the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is in preparation mode and as well as a great looking fleet that includes several new boats, sponsors have contributed a prize pool worth $40,000.
2010 marks seven years of involvement for HSBC Premier in this iconic yacht race.
David Griffiths, CEO, at HSBC New Zealand says: "We're pleased to again get behind one New Zealand's largest and most exciting coastal yacht races. We hope that this year's HSBC Premier Coastal Classic results in plenty of good competition, a strong breeze for the skippers and more records for the history books."
Joining HSBC Premier, which is also sponsor of Division 1, are eight divisional sponsors, each contributing prizes to its line honours winners and handicap placegetters: Musto (Division 2), Safety at Sea (Division 3), Mt Gay Rum (Division 4), Steinlager (Division 5), Duke of Marlborough Hotel (Division 6), RAILBLAZA Ltd (Division 7), Jucy Rentals (Division 8), PredictWind.com (IRC), and SailNZ (Classic Division).
"The party in Russell on Saturday night is followed by a cooked breakfast and prizegiving on Sunday morning," says race spokesperson Jon Vincent. "The prizegiving starts at 9am sharp and we encourage all competitors to be there for the opportunity to win spot prizes from Southern Pacific Inflatables, Yamaha Motor NZ, and Dirty Dog Sunglasses."
Snitch GPS will provide real-time GPS tracking of ten members of the race fleet, and Sunday Star Times and Trade-A-Boat Magazine are official media partners to the race.
Predictwind.com will issue an official, detailed race forecast on the eve of the race.
New members at the front end of the race fleet will include Roger Pagani's new fifty foot catamaran, Triple 8 and Simon Hull's Open 60 trimaran, TeamVodafoneSailing, which is capable of cruising at speeds of thirty knots. The old Murray Ross designed campaigner M1 is due to be relaunched by Northland boatbuilder Craig Partridge after a turbo refit, and the hot off the blocks Flying Tiger 10 new to the country this winter is also a potential starter.
In the multihull world a new generation of innovation is making an appearance. The small but stunning multihull, Frantic Drift, owned by Olympic sailor Dan Slater, has been modified with a new BMWOracle-style mast and curved lifting foils, and two other boats - Dragon and Timberwolf - will feature similar technology.
The supermaxi Alfa Romeo broke a thirteen-year record drought when it set a new overall record last year, completing the race in 6 hours and 43 minutes, but Split Enz remains the fastest multihull to ever finish the race with a record set in 1996 of 7 hours and 20 minutes.
The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic starts from 10am on Friday 22 October off Devonport Wharf in Auckland, and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
With everything to play for on the final day Artemis completed a great recovery to win the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy Barcelona. Madrid - Caser Seguros won last race to win the event, and is the new GP42 Series leader.
Paul Cayard (USA) and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist's(SWE) Artemis (SWE) won the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona TP52 Series in considerable style, after a fantastic finale, coming from eighth at the first windward mark to finish second behind Bribón (ESP) on the finish line of the last race, to clinch the Swedish flagged team's first MedCup Circuit regatta win since 2007.
With Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP)winning the GP42 Series, three different boats have won each of the three regattas this season so far in both TP52 and GP42 Series, confirming this is the most open Audi MedCup Circuit season ever.
Leading into the one and only race of today by a single point, the odds looked suddenly to be stacked against an Artemis regatta win when they picked the wrong side of the first beat and rounded the top mark in eighth place, with their main rivals Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) in second.
But two electrifying downwind legs, twice gybing away for clear air and flatter water, diverging from the line taken by the pack, saw Cayard and crew gaining three places on each run to secure Barcelona's top trophy.
Emirates Team New Zealand at one stage seemed to be hanging on, just on target for their second regatta win of the season, with Luna Rossa (ITA) between them and their rival Artemis representing the 1-point margin that they needed to win, but in the end the Kiwi champions could do nothing to control the firepower of Artemis downwind.
On the final run Cayard, tactician Cameron Appleton and the Artemis crew gained 44 seconds, to cross just 16 seconds behind José Cusí's (ESP) Bribón who finished their regatta with a flourish to clinch a creditable fourth overall in owner Cusí's home city. Artemis top the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona TP52 fleet after a miserable Marseille, where they finished eighth overall. In Barcelona they have sailed with confidence and cohesion, bolting together all of the required components to win a testing 10 race series.
Third overall last season their overall win at the first of two Audi MedCup Circuit regattas in Spain this season, boosts Tornqvist's team from sixth overall on the 2010 standings to third.
And, after Emirates Team New Zealand in Cascais, Quantum Racing (USA) in Marseille they become the third TP52 Series team to win an event this season, just as three different GP42 Series teams Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), Iberdrola (ESP) and Madrid-Caser Seguros have had regatta victories.
Artemis last won a MedCup regatta in Hyeres, France in 2007 when Russell Coutts skippered the team to win the Circuit title. In that season five different boats won the five regattas.
Emirates Team New Zealand finish disappointed not to have won in Barcelona. They were hobbled for boat speed at times, citing a plastic bag that they caught around the rudder which left them lacking speed.
But the reigning title holders head to Cartagena for next month's (August 24-29) fourth regatta of the 2010 season, the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy having extended their overall lead by ten points at this regatta. They now lead Quantum Racing (USA) by 28.5 points.
GP42 summary The last race in the GP42 Series saw the team that has dominated all week - Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) - win their sixth race in the nine race series, nearly from start to finish.
A strong start by Iberdrola (ESP) and AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA) put them into contention all the way to the first mark rounding, but a big four-boat pile-up at the mark had Madrid-Caser breaking free, followed by Iberdrola, and the Italians doing a penalty turn at the mark.
And with the breeze building up to 17 knots, the two B&C-designed sisterships - Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) and Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) - were able to put their speed to advantage and finish 1-2 on the day, despite a last-second charge to the line by the Iberdrola green machine.
The two are also now tied on 50 points each in the overall series, with Madrid-Caser Seguros now taking the lead on the tie-break.
Next Audi MedCup Circuit event is the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy, Cartagena, August 24-29
Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona Final Results
TP52 Series 1. Artemis (SWE), 7+2+4+5+2+4+1+5+1+2= 33 points 2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1+4+8+1+3+2+5+3+5+3= 35 3. Quantum Racing (USA), 5+5+2+11+1+1+9+2+5+6= 44 4. Bribón (ESP), 3+3+7+7+5+11+10+7+4+1= 58 5. Cristabella (GBR), 2+1+11+9+6+9+4+6+6+8= 62 6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 10+6+3+3+9+7+8+1+7+9= 63 7. Matador (ARG), 4+9+9+10+10+3+6+9+3+4= 67 8. Bigamist 7 (POR), 8+7+10+8+4+5+7+4+10+7= 70 9. Luna Rossa (ITA), 9+11+1+6+11+10+2+10+8+5= 73 10. Synergy (RUS), 6+10+6+2+7+8+3+8+11+12= 73 11. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 12(DNC)+8+5+4+8+6+11+11+9+10= 84
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Audi MedCup Circuit 2010 Provisional Leaderboard after three events
TP52 Series 1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31,5+31+35= 97,5 points 2. Quantum Racing (USA), 59,5+22,5+44= 126 3. Artemis (SWE), 57+53+33= 143 4. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59,5+31+63= 153,5 5. Matador (ARG), 60+27+67= 154 6. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51,5+29,5+84= 165 7. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43,5+62= 170,5 8. Synergy (RUS), 64+35,5+73= 172,5 9. Bribón (ESP), 88+41+58= 181,5 10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77,5+44,5+73= 195 11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78+70= 236
Quotes of the day
Paul Cayard (USA),helmsman Artemis (SWE): "We are very very happy, mostly, because what we are trying to build here on Artemis is a process to go out and win races and that comes from a certain amount of confidence and stability and the boat the crew, our starting and we really lost that in Marseille, so more important really than winning the race, or being second, or third to me is just that we come back and we are very, very competitive. And that's a great way to go forward, for the Medcup becauset also we were trying to work with the America's Cup." " We were really quick downwind the whole week, and noticed that on the first run obviously so as soon as we came round the mark I was kind of urging Cam just to give me clean lane." "We could go really fast if we don't have the wakes of the other boats so we had surfed right up to Prada almost immediatly and it didn't really matter which way we went, or which way the wind was going to go, we just wanted to get away from boats so we could just rip." "And it seemed we had a better gear than anybody else downwind and that let us slip just right on through. It couldn't have been more exciting than that, coming down to the last race".
Gonzalo Araujo (ESP), skipper Bribón (ESP): "Winning the last race always adds a positive note. Today we confirmed our improvement throughout the second half of the event. And as I always say in this circuit we all have the level to win races, it's a matter of racing well. After the start we've gone to the right to get the clean air from the others, but we didn't have a good start, didn't get ourselves a gap. Marcel (Van Triest, navigator) told us to go further in, since it was going to shift to Garbí. So a big part of this win is his"
Paolo Cian (ITA), skipper/helmsman Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP): "If there was one thing we did well this week, it was our focus on the little things we did before the regatta to get us the small edge in speed. In a class this tight, this small edge means a lot." Juanlu Páez (ESP), navigator Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP): "We made a good start, Islas Canarias was called over the line what obviously helped us, cause we then had the control and our boat sails fast, so it all went perfect, the 17 knots wind were also excellent conditions for us. Islas Canarias is a very good team and they've been able to come back, it's clear she's our main rival. The boat is the same, and we also have same sails, mast, so we'll probably keep fighting against till the last day. It wouldn't surprise me if it all came to the last race in Cagliari"..
She's back in the water - Black and beautiful. Clean white decks - black mast with spreaders raking aft. Some interesting changes can be seen from the work done by boat-builder Craig Partridge. The tiller's gone - replaced with twin wheels. Both the mast and the keel are further aft to re-trim the boat. M1 will surely be a pace-maker in the Bay of Islands.
There are three shareholders: Craig Partridge - Aksel Jepsen - Dave Austin (known by many as 'Doctor Dave'). Jensen admits freely that yacht Racing is a brand new experience for him. What a way to learn as share-holder in a very fast M1.
Simon Hull, the previous owner of M1 had one special comment about his 20 odd years racing on M1 "She just gets up and boogies, particularly down hill. Watch out Kerikeri". Hull and crew did multiple races both off shore and local. Partridge and Austin plan on doing the two man round-NZ race in 2011. Partridge also mentioned the Auckland/Suva Race next year. M1 will be welcomed back into the fast- racing circuit.
Issue #2 July 2010 - TWO pages www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz
Bay of Islands Sailing Week January 18-21, 2011
2011 will offer just about everything for everyone. The IRC Nationals will also be held at the Bay Regatta, making this the first regatta in New Zealand to run three National Yachting Events at one time in one place....
IRC - Elliott 5.9 - Flying 15. We are very proud.
Other Stuff:
Good news - a reduction in Entry fees on the middle and inner courses (A/B/M Courses remain the same). For this we can thank our loyal sponsors and you-the-competitors for continued participation
Steinlager Pure is now our Regatta-Beer and at this regatta in lieu of the Beach Party, we are planning a Thursday Party-Night on the Wharf
There is a circle to make a Regatta work
It wouldn't happen without Competitors
There would be no regatta without Competitors and Sponsors
There would be no regatta without Competitors and Sponsors and Volunteers
There would be no regatta without Competitors -Sponsors -Volunteers - AND News exposure and Coverage.
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is a FULLY SUPPORTED REGATTA.
Thank you to all
Let's start to talk about the Sponsors
CRC - for Marine and boating equipment. Manufactures and markets specialty chemicals and adhesives, and has a quality product for most maintenance and repair applications. Meeting the needs of customers with high performance products has made CRC and ADOS market leaders in New Zealand. www.crc.co.nz
North Sails - has become the world leader in sail making. Their ongoing commitment is to make racing sails faster, lighter and longer-lasting. North Sails are crafting cruising sails to higher standards of performance and durability. The North Sails Loft in Auckland measures more than 2000 square metres and produces sails for some of the world's most famous racing teams.www.northsails.co.nz
Far North Holdings - has generously made the wharf and boat ramps available to all yachties and the general public. They welcome the Yachties to Bay of Islands Sailing Week each year with many special benefits at this superb location. For info on Marina availability go to enquiries@opuamarina.co.nz and to read about FNH go to www.fnhl.co.nz
Romeyn Woodcraft - designs and manufactures the unique trophies for the Bay Regatta, with the winning yacht names on each trophy for prize giving. A family business established in 1973, handcrafting original designs from native NZ timber.
Mt Gay Rum - the yachties favourite. The place of birth was Barbados in 1703, the oldest rum in the world, an icon amongst the race sailing community worldwide. There is such a selection of this fine quality rum available at Hancocks, well worth a look at the website. www.hancocks.co.nz
Steinlager Pure - an easy drinking taste, perfectly balanced. The emerald-green bottle will be easily recognised at the 2011 Bay Regatta. The Steinlager mantra is "Keep it pure" and that distinct taste will be worth waiting for at the end of each day of racing. www.steinlager.co.nz
Harken - recognised internationally furnishing top product for yachts of all sizes. Remember 'friction is not your friend" - if you want all your sheets and turning-blocks to run freely - use Harken. Their name is clearly seen on all our rounding buoys. www.harken.co.nz
Our thanks to all racers for active support in the past Bay Regattas.
2011 promises to have more variety; it's ever changing, and always fun
Two wins for Artemis sees them head into the final day with a lead of one point, while in the GP42 Series it is still Madrid-Caser Seguros secure in front.
After an uncharacteristically disappointing regatta in Marseille last month, finishing eighth, Paul Cayard and the crew of Torbjorn Tornqvist's Swedish flagged Artemis have bounced right back to head into the final day of the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona with a slender lead of just one point over Emirates Team New Zealand, the current Audi MedCup Circuit champions.
In the GP42 Series a second place and a fourth was enough to keep Madrid -Caser Seguros (ESP) four points clear of Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP)which won the second race today. Iberdrola (ESP) won the first.
Two wins in today's modest SE'ly breezes, added to a fifth in the middle race of three ensured that Artemis was the best scoring crew among the 11 TP52's by some margin, underlining how consistency, boat speed and sharp sailing have replaced their Marseille malaise. Since a seventh in the first race of this regatta, Cayard and crew have never finished outside of the top five, a consistency which is only just about equalled by the Kiwi circuit leaders.
The stage is set for a fascinating Sunday showdown for the Camper regatta title here in Barcelona. Cayard came ashore relaxed and smiling - in contrast to the drained looking skipper he was in France - and was keen to emphasise that the greater satisfaction would come from knowing they can sustain this type of form, to maintain the highest competitive level, than running out regatta winners.
That would be the icing on the cake. Sharper starting and boatspeed at the two key differences he highlighted, but the Barcelona race tracks today proved difficult to read with split breezes either side of the course.
Having stayed relatively clear of trouble so far this regatta Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) might look to two small factors which contribute to their second place overall, rather than leading or sharing the lead. In the second race they gybe-set at the final windward mark rather than stay with their main rivals Quantum Racing (USA), which cost them one place. Then in the third race of the day they became involved pre-start with Matador (ARG)which meant they ended up with too little room and opportunity to break clear off the start line.
The Kiwis 5,3,5 for the day leaves them six points clear of Quantum Racing who started with a ninth after they were one of three boats recalled in the first race, and then they stayed strong with a pair of second places.
Three races are planned for the final day of racing on this first visit of the Audi MedCup Circuit to the Catalan capital city, but with a time limit of 1530hrs, after which no start sequence can begin, it is a lofty target, while the GP42's are scheduled for two races to complete their regatta. GP42 Series: closing the gap Race 1 saw Iberdrola (ESP) take advantage of the early right shift by starting at the committee boat, tacking, taking an early lead and never looking back. The 9-12 knot conditions were ideally suited to this team of alumnists from the Desafio Espanol AC team, led by skipper Laureano Wizner (ESP). Series leader Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) led by helmsman Paolo Cian (ITA) got buried into the remainder of the pack to score her worst score (4th) at this stage, while Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) slid into the runner-up slot for their best finish to date.
O Race 2, Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) had to settle for yet another second, as her series arch-rival, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) led by skipper Jose Maria Ponce (ESP), took advantage of a building 12-14 knot breeze to vault into an unchallenged lead. But Cian and team had to fight hard for this spot, and the fight got ugly: on a close cross on the second windward leg, Iberdrola couldn't quite cross AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), prompting Wizner and team to cede the battle and roll into a penalty turn, costing them two places as the Italian team happily took the third place slot in their best finish yet in this stage.
Racing on board Artemis and Audi A1 powered by ALL4One were Audi sponsored world cup slalom skiers Felix Neureuther (GER) and Julien Lizeroux (FRA)
Quotes of the day: Paul Cayard (USA) skipper-helm Artemis (SWE): "We just found a rhythm, the boats going fast and we are sailing consistently. We are doing good starts, not killing it at the start I think we've never got our noses down into trouble, I know yesterday at the third start there was a big pile up at the pin end because the left hand was favoured and we kind of avoid things like that. We know we have a fast boat and we try to sail at a high percentage tactically, Cameron Appleton is doing a great job just let the boat work for us. " We had clean starts, in both races that we won we got good boat speed and got to the first mark first and that just makes for a completely different race than battling away in the middle of the pack." Ray Davies (NZL) tactician Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): " Everything was going on today. There were big distance changes, lead changes and I think the last race was particularly difficult. There were two breezes going on in the first beat and we were in the right hand breeze and it all depended what breeze the top mark was in. We were slow off the line in that third race. Matador made life pretty hard for us up there. And our plan had been to go straight and we had to make a few tacks to get clear air. Second race top mark was a mistake. Normally the top mark second run you can kind of get away with it a little bit because boats behind are spread out, but they were tighter here and as soon as I did it I thought: ' this doesn't look good'. From fourth to 11th were really stacked up and that dirty air from the wall of boats hurt us, normally it would be thinner than that. We were in dirty air for a couple of minutes and that was enough for Quantum Racing to make a gain. Every point is critical, absolutely critical. And that was frustrating, sometimes those mistakes can be more frustrating that having an actual seventh or an eighth, because it is just a boat positioning thing, one of those things where as soon as you've done it you kind of think 'why?'. But overall for use a pretty reasonable day."
Jose María Ponce (ESP), helmsman Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP): "Today it's been the first day where we've been the best team. The truth is that we've raced well and we've managed to finish ahead of Madrid-Caser in both races and cut down two points in the regatta, which places us ahead of them again in the circuit overall scores. Even though it's going to be tough, because Madrid-Caser is four points ahead, but obviously we'll fight till the end to win here in Barcelona and remain first in the Audi MedCup".
Jose Luís Domencq (ESP), pit Madrid -Caser Seguros (ESP): "Today's conditions haven't favoured us, we'd rather race with lumpy seas, because of the design of the boat, and also cause our helmsman steers better in waves than others do. Besides, we aren't going as well in the downwinds, and the course has been more difficult to read".
Camper Regatta - Conde de Godó Trophy - Barcelona TP52 Series Day 4 1. Artemis (SWE), 7+2+4+5+2+4+1+5+1= 31 points 2. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 1+4+8+1+3+2+5+3+5= 32 3. Quantum Racing (USA), 5+5+2+11+1+1+9+2+5= 38 4. Cristabella (GBR), 2+1+11+9+6+9+4+6+6= 54 5. TeamOrigin (GBR), 10+6+3+3+9+7+8+1+7= 54 6. Bribón (ESP), 3+3+7+7+5+11+10+7+4= 57 7. Synergy (RUS), 6+10+6+2+7+8+3+8+11= 61 8. Matador (ARG), 4+9+9+10+10+3+6+9+3= 63 9. Bigamist 7 (POR), 8+7+10+8+4+5+7+4+10= 63 10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 9+11+1+6+11+10+2+10+8= 68 11. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 12(DNC)+8+5+4+8+6+11+11+9= 74
Today, in terms, of the total duration of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit it is the theoretical mid-point of the season. Half way there.....a day for teams to reflect if their glass if is half full or half empty. The TP52 Series have raced 19 races so far and most of the teams will be hoping for more races in the second half of the season than in the first.
The leaderboard for the TP52 overall series still shows Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) with a lead of 18.5 points, just as it was when we arrived here in Barcelona, whilst in the GP42 Series now Madrid - Caser Seguros and Islas Canarias Puerto Calero are tied on 39 points apiece.
Yesterday proved extremely close in the TP52 Series on the waters off Barcelona. Three boats returned to the dock yesterday locked on 13 points, one behind the leader of the Camper Regatta - Conde de Godo Trophy - Barcelona, Quantum Racing (USA).
The forecast for today, the second day of racing for the TP52 and GP42's, suggests light and variable winds only around start time, somewhere between 3 and 10 knots between 160 degrees and 220 degrees - that is what is meant by 'variable'. The winds are likely to build to between nine and 13 knots by the middle of the afternoon but the breeze should stablise around 180-200 degrees, some models showing up to 18kts of windspeed. That would be nice.
Three windward leeward races are scheduled for both Series today with scheduled start sequence at 1300hrs. Audi MedCup TV goes live at 1250hrs CET.
