Friday was another long day on the waters off Porto Cervo and the 6-strong fleet of TP52′s and IRC52′s had three races in very light conditions. Although the breeze was much stabler than Thursday, blowing from the east with slight oscillations, the intensity wasn’t promising any fireworks. There was between 7 and 9 knots of wind but even if the photos might not be tremendously spectacular, the racing was very close.
The key in the day’s three races was to have a clean start at the pin end, ahead of the fleet and stick to the left side that paid most of the time. That was exactly what Azzurra did in the first and third race, scoring a second, a fourth and a bullet. Quantum Racing’s performance was less consistent giving the Italian-Argentinean team the chance to close in on them in the overall leaderboard. Again, similar to yesterday, special mention should be given to Tony Langley. The British TP52 helmed his yacht to a bullet, a second and a sixth, consolidating their third place overall.
The schedule for Saturday calls for a coastal race of about 35 miles, which could, obviously, be shortened if the light conditions prevail for the third consecutive day.
We spent the entire day onboard Quantum Racing and as one can imagine, our shots are only from that angle… I would also like to take this opportunity and apologize for the unfortunate remarks about the “Italian-Argentinean” character and Vascotto’s and Parada’s complaints against our photo boat and the wake it created. I do understand they were under enormous stress after losing a race for just one meter and their anger was due to the heat of the moment.
Sardinia Cup – TP52 Leaderboard after 5 races
1. Quantum Racing 1+1+3+1+4=10
2. AUDI Azzurra 3+2+2+4+1=12
3. Gladiator 2+3+1+2+6=14
4. Ran 4+4+4+3+2=17
5. Paprec Recyclage 5+5+5+6+3=24
6. Powerplay 6+6+6+5+5=28
Race 1
Azzurra had a brilliant start at the pin end and opted for the left side of the race course, clearly the most favorable one today. Quantum was close behind and her pressure on the Italian-Argentineans turned the race into a match race. Azzurra focused on Quantum and covered her up to the final stretch of the final run, leaving the room open for Gladiator to sail with no stress and find better breeze. As a result, Tony Langley drove his yacht to a well-deserving victory, sneaking ahead of Azzurra and Quantum.
Start of the day's first race. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Azzurra lead the fleet in the first beat. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Gladiator round the first weather mark in third place. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Juan Vila checks upon Azzurra that lead in the first run. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Azzurra lead the fleet in the second beat. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Gladiator has a good second beat and moves to second place, ahead of Quantum. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Hoisting the spinnaker on Quantum for the final run. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
It
Race 2
The second race of the day was entirely Quantum’s. Ed Baird squeezed Guillermo Parada on the starting line, got an excellent start and led until the finish line, while extending the lead considerably in the last run. Once again, Tony Langley’s Gladiator put on a brilliant performance, holding on to second place, ahead of Azzurra. The crew onboard the Italian boat didn’t seem to be in the mix in that race, letting Ran overtake them in the second beat.
Quantum Racing cross in front of Azzurra in the first beat. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Gladiator rounds the first weather mark in second place. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Quantum leads in the first run. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Gladiator and Azzurra come second and third at the leeward gate. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Quantum Racing
Ran snaps third place from Azzurra at the second weather mark. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Quantum Racing crosses the finish line and wins the race. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Race 3
The tables turned in the final race of the day with Azzurra sailing perfectly and Quantum Racing struggling. Guillermo Parada nailed the start at the pin end with full pace and never looked back. The Italian-Argentinean boat kept her lead throughout the race, crossing the finish line with a very comfortable advantage.
Quantum Racing has a bad start and trails most of the fleet. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Azzurra has already a big lead at the first weather mark. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Start of the first run with Azzurra way ahead. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Azzurra start the second beat with a very comfortable lead while Quantum Racing is struggling in fourth place. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Grinding onboard Quantum Racing in the second beat. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Azzurra round the last weather mark with a huge lead over Quantum Racing and the rest of the fleet. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info
Andrew Scott grinding during a gybe in the last run. Porto Cervo, 15 June 2012. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / VSail.info