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Audi MedCup 2011 – Conde de Godo of Barcelona Trophy: Day of Judgement

September 16, 2011

A big day, perhaps even the biggest yet on the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit.

After 41 races spread over four countries, Portugal, France, Italy and Spain and wind conditions from fierce 35 knot gusts in windy Cascais at the start of the season in May, to this finale regatta in the light, sometimes capricious sea breezes at this finale Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Regatta, it all boils down to the next two days of racing for a delicately poised 52 Series title race.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 13 09 2011 © Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 13 09 2011 © Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

The momentum is with Bribon. A podium in Italy, winners in Cartagena, Spain last month and leaders since yesterday at the final regatta ever for their Bribon crew, racing on the waters off their club, the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona, it is a fairytale in the making.  A late charge to clinch overall victory in the MedCup after seven years of trying since being one of the 2004-5 founding fathers of the MedFleet of TP52’s would be the perfect end Bribon’s 40 year history.

But Quantum Racing are the class act in a position to kill off the Spanish team’s dream, and they have a pedigree to match.  Don’t forget that Quantum have history too. In 2005 when the inaugural series went to the wire on the final race of the season, they were title challengers. In 2008, under skipper Terry Hutchinson, they won the title. With new skipper Ed Baird, an America’s Cup winning helm, they have lead since the start of the season. But this has always been a finely balanced season. Though Quantum Racing have always lead, the biggest their lead has been was 12 points – after winning the first regatta in Cascais. So a seven points margin going into the final two days and four races is a cushion – of sorts – in this eight boat fleet.

Two races are scheduled for today at this Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Trophy in breezes which promise to be a little stronger – up to 12kts max from west of South – which should even be a little more settled than yesterday’s split breezes which fought from different sides of the race course.

And for the Soto 40’s the title is all but Iberdrola Team’s. They need only get through today’s  racing to win, but their absolute target is to win their fourth regatta of the season – their first in the team’s home country after losing out last month to the British crew on Ngoni. Today business commitments mean owner-skipper Tony Buckingham will not be sailing and so Kevin Sproul is back on the helm. And Iberostar, Javier Banderas’ team, will be looking to follow up yesterday’s race win on their second day on the Audi MedCup Circuit.

Agustín Zulueta (ESP), Project Manager, Iberdrola Sailing Team (ESP): “We just have to start today and we´ll be the Circuit´s virtual winners. Although the main goal was to win the five-venue championship, of course, we also have another goal, and that is to win at least one of the Spanish trophies. We didn´t do that in Cartagena, so we have our chance here in Barcelona, that´s our short term goal now. We are highly motivated for those two reasons. Also, coincidentally, today´s the day when our main sponsor and its Marketing Department representatives are coming to see us, so it´s a big day. Conditions are suppose to pick just a little bit from yesterday, I really hope that we get to sail all three races”.
Ignacio Triay (ESP), Trimmer, Bribón (ESP): It´s going to be an interesting day here today. The weather conditions couled be slightly stronger than yesterday but not much different. Even when our boat has sailed really well in light conditions, we´ve also sailed very well with stronger winds. We came here after the Copa del Rey and the Cartagena victories and we were thrilled about having achieved that this season, but we have a chance to make it even bigger. We´ve already seen that the boats are keeping an eye on us, Quantum really did yesterday at the start. Yesterday we manage to reach the rest of the boats after a bad start, Ross McDonald did a great job avoiding the potholes. It´s a tight fight up there and the boats are going to watch each other carefully”.

Ignacio Triay (ESP), Trimmer, Bribón (ESP): It´s going to be an interesting day here today. The weather conditions couled be slightly stronger than yesterday but not much different. Even when our boat has sailed really well in light conditions, we´ve also sailed very well with stronger winds. We came here after the Copa del Rey and the Cartagena victories and we were thrilled about having achieved that this season, but we have a chance to make it even bigger. We´ve already seen that the boats are keeping an eye on us, Quantum really did yesterday at the start. Yesterday we manage to reach the rest of the boats after a bad start, Ross McDonald did a great job avoiding the potholes. It´s a tight fight up there and the boats are going to watch each other carefully”.

Ed Reynolds (USA) project manager Quantum Racing (USA): “I think yesterday we got the best start of the year, everything going in the right direction and it just started slowing down a bit. I saw upwind hat we sailed into a real soft spot just below the starboard layline on he second beat and that really pushed us back. We came into this and everyone said, you know what, this is going to come down to the last race and we just have to be strong. I get e-mails constantly asking ‘what happened’ and the response is just the same as always, if you make the slightest mistake these guys are on you. You have to be so fast all the time.
Our guys do have to raise their game, I am not the one saying that, they say that themselves. They feel they have absolutely earned this position, this is their series and they just have to go out there and do it. There is no other way. Think about you as a professional athlete at the top event in the world right now, I believe, coming into the last race two days of the MedCup with a chance to do something really special. If you are not up for that you should get a new day job. I think these guys are ready. They are strong. And as I have said all along I don’t think we will crack under pressure or lose it, but somebody could very well come and take it away from us.
Bribon’s is a beautiful story and we don’t want to be the ones to ruin it, but one of the things we have seen is that when it gets to light air, they have been blazing fast in the light. Even before they had this boat as a team they have always been quick in the light.”

2011 Audi MedCup Circuit – City of Barcelona Trophy: Close battle for the 52 Series

September 15, 2011

With just three days from the end of the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit at the City of Barcelona Trophy regatta the battles for the overall 52 Series title are still closer than they have been, at least since 2007 when Artemis won in Hyeres, France.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

In the overall standings for the season Bribon lie just half a point behind Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, who today really need to get their title back on track with a pair of strong results. The Italian team feel they have been under a certain amount of extra attention from some of their main opponents and others, but perhaps today will be their chance to fight back.

Or perhaps some teams will seek to try and halt the upward trajectory of Bribon which are challenging for second overall and are getting to within reach of the overall title in this their final regatta as Jose Cusi’s Bribon team.

But with two windward-leeward races planned for today this could be the pivotal day of the season, leading into tomorrow’s high points value Coastal Race.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio BorlenghiAudi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio BorlenghiAudi MedCup

Circuit leaders Quantum Racing do continue to move closer and closer to the title, even with their seventh in the second race yesterday. Quantum Racing’s navigator Kevin Hall (USA) explains the likely scenarios from his perspective:

“Yesterday we had a tough call to make in the second race, we liked the left a lot, like Bribón and RÁN and though we could follow them and hang with them, maybe even get to RÁN, but we decided to stay ahead of Azzurra and ended up paying less attention to the other two. Today, second and third are basically tied, and that makes things really interesting for us. There are a few scenarios. One, they can each say we could still get Quantum and maybe if we work together and get to them if we don´t tack in each other. Two, they could say we want to fight for that second spot and race looking at each other constantly. An the third could be to ignore the other boats and just try to win the races and see how that goes in terms of points at the end. It´s very hard to look at one boat and sail your own race, we saw that yesterday. We think that conditions will be a bit softer today, yesterday we didn´t think they were going to die the way they did. Bribón is quick in this stuff so they are definitely candidates to perform well again”.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14092011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi - Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14092011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi - Audi MedCup



Meanwhile for the Iberdrola Team they seem destined to collect the inuagural overall Circuit title for the Soto 40′s if they keep up their same high level today, after winning twice yesterday:

Agustín Zulueta (ESP), Project Director, Iberdrola Team (ESP):
“We´ve had to adjust to the Soto 40 this year and that makes things harder, of course, but everything has been going great. I really enjoyed yesterday´s races as the team´s director because I saw a solid team sailing in conditions that don´t particulraly suits us well. They started well, picked to the right sides and did great maneuvers. We are excited about the next races because we are really close to winning the championship, and that has been our goal from the beginning. I hope that we perform as well as we did yesterday”.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 15092011 © Nico Martinez Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 15092011 © Nico Martinez Audi MedCup


Audi MedCup Circuit 2011: Interview with Nacho Postigo, Technical Director of the Audi MedCup Circuit

September 15, 2011

Nacho Postigo, Technical Director of the Audi MedCup Circuit, sums up the 2011 season, gives his view on the TP 52 and Soto 40 racing classes, and provides an outlook to next year.

Nacho Postigo - Technical Director of Audi MedCup Circuit - Marseille Trophy, 18 06 2011 © Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

Nacho Postigo - Technical Director of Audi MedCup Circuit - Marseille Trophy, 18 06 2011 © Ian Roman - Audi MedCup

Audi MedCup Circuit – The 2012 Audi MedCup Circuit finishes in Barcelona and the competition is closer than ever before. What have been the key contributing factors this season?
Nacho Postigo – “The potential of all campaigns has been getting higher and closer every year. There are no more favourites or outsiders. Every team can beat the others. We had four different winners in four events in the 52 Series, and the boats often finished within seconds. And the Soto 40 class is now growing rapidly and sees the level rising. Competition couldn’t be better.”

AMC – What is your opinion on the size of the 52 Series fleet, is there an optimum number given the current economic climate?
NC – “We prefer to have these eight truly competitive 52 Series campaigns to just having higher numbers of boats that can’t match the pace on the race course. We are aiming for attractive regattas and want to inspire new owners. The TP 52 is the de facto top monohull class for grand prix racing in the world on the world’s leading regatta circuit. It’s dynamic, challenging and telegenic. And we’ll have more Soto 40 racing in 2012, the pre-entries have already been filed”.

AMC - The Audi MedCup so far sticks to its name by running four out of five events in the Mediterranean. Are you thinking about extending the series to other countries and race areas?
NC – “Yes, right now we’re looking into a different route for the 2012 circuit. There might be a regatta in Northern Europe next time.”

AMC – What are the most important criteria for choosing a venue?
NP –  “First of all, a new regatta venue needs to provide good sailing conditions. But any venue should also appeal to the criteria desirable to owners and crews, and it must represent an important market to the title sponsor. And last every event has serious logistical requirements, and it needs to fit into the budget.”

AMC - Might we see Audi MedCup regattas contested on the Baltic Sea?
NP - “This may happen, why not? There are a couple of interesting options, for example in Germany and Sweden. We have invited some guests from potential host cities, not only from Kiel and Travemünde, which have indicated a strong interest in hosting an Audi MedCup event, and they have come to have a look at the set-up here in Barcelona”.

AMC - So, in essence though new areas will be reached, it will remain the Med Cup?
NP – “The MedCup is a strong brand which has been built from firm roots and popularity in the Mediterranean and we do not want to compromise ourselves there. I see us sticking to at least two events held in the Med. But a season opener is most likely to happen again on the Atlantic coast”.

AMC - When do you plan on announcing the venues for 2012?
NP – “We plan to announce the route of the upcoming Audi MedCup Circuit by the end of this year. This will still give us enough time to build up the tension in all countries. I’m a hundred percent sure that we’ll have another great season with dramatic racing in 2012”.

Audi MedCup 2011 – Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Trophy: 2nd Day Update

September 14, 2011

The second racing day of the Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Trophy and the Soto 40 fleet, which promises to be the strongest of the season, start racing today.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Nico Martinez Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Nico Martinez Audi MedCup

Both 52 Series and the 40 Series fleets are scheduled to have two races. There is a certain divergence between the weather forecast models for today, one suggesting that the sea breeze might struggle to establish itself, the other predicts that it will come in, building to 12kts. But the overall picture looks like a more challenging day than the 52 Series enjoyed for their opening pair of races Tuesday.

For Quantum Racing, the Circuit leaders, a solid 3,2 brace establishes a momentum they will look to protect today. They opened a little more daylight on their principal rivals Audi Azzurra Sailing Team and Container yesterday. In the background yesterday’s excellent 1,3 opening day for Bribon sees the Spanish boat elevate themselves to third overall on the Circuit, whilst the duel between Synergy and RAN is also poised with the regatta leaders in Barcelona now just half a point behind the Russian team.

The Italian flagged team on Audi Azzurra need to bounce back after two fifth places yesterday with a couple of strong finishes today if they are to come back on Quantum Racing and extend on Bribon.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 13 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 13 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

The 40 Series fleet sees the debut of two new teams. Olympic gold medallists Luis Doreste(ESP) and Domingo Manrique (ESP) who won Flying Dutchman gold here in 1992 are at the core of the Iberostar team with Javier Banderas (ESP). They sail the Noticias IV, while the second new team is on Patagonia. Bigamist, the Portuguese team which raced in Cascais, have a fundamental change here with Afonso Domingos on the helm.

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Iberdrola Team (ESP): “I think that the weather conditions for today are pretty open, not the typical Garbí form Barcelona, which is what we had yesterday. It seems that we are going to have a seabreeze with an influence from the Levante, and that will make the races a lot more open. It´s going to be interesting, with many options, these regattas are always really competitive and you need to be 100%. We have a new trimmer, highly experienced, and that´s good because it has not affected us. Both the trimmers that we´ve had are among the best you can have on board”.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 14 09 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Vasco Vascotto (ITA), Strategist, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):
“The forecast for today says things are going to be tough out there again, with light conditions. RÁN´s sailing great, they´ve struggled at some points of the season but they are really in shape now, and its proves that anyone can win here in Barcelona. For us, the two fifths yesterday are obviously a bad result, but we are still there 8 and a half points away. With a good day we can solve this. We have to stay calm. Yesterday we saw the Barça-Milán football match, where a team dominated the whole time and the match ended up with a tie. That made us think, because if things like that happen in football it´s even more likely that they´ll happen on the race course. We´ll see how it goes out there today”.

2011 Audi MedCup Circuit – Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy Regatta – Practice Race Day

September 12, 2011

It is practice race day for the 52 Series, the prelude to Tuesday’s first race day at the Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy Regatta, the finale to this year’s Audi MedCup Circuit.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

The Garbi sea breeze is expected to prevail at least over the first few days of this key regatta, dropping in intensity as the event progresses.

With a N’ly Mistral blowing in the Gulf of Lyons to the east a large circulation is set up in this part of the western Med which enhances this southerly sea breeze.

It has been a slightly overcast morning though the prospects for breeze are good, expecting up to 18 or 19kts with choppy, steep seas.

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi-Audi MedCup

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi-Audi MedCup

The 52 Series fleet will do their two practice starts before rolling into the official practice race.

For Bribon this will be an emotional week on their home city, but project manager Ignasi Triay says the crew are not speaking about this being their swansong:

“This 2011´s last event and the truth is that we´ve improved every day until now. We are in Barcelona, our hometown, and a lot of noise has been made about the fact that this is Bribón´s last event. It seems that it´s something that´s affecting a lot of people who are around the event, but it doesn´t affect our crew. We hear a lot about it but we don´t look at it the way this that people does. We are focused in this event because we are in a good place in the general standings, with good possibilities to do something big, even reaching the podium. We are thinking about doing a good job here these days, we´ll have enough time to think about this being our last event on Saturday evening. We have to stick to our plan, to be consistent and not make too many mistakes.”

Kevin Hall (USA), Navigator, Quantum Racing (USA):

We are looking forward to competing here in Barcelona this week, there are great teams here and the competition has come down to the last event and that´s pretty exciting for all of us, our strategy is to sail well, and you could argue that if we sail this regatta to win it with good solid finishes that should do it for the season as well, but there are a couple other teams who are probably thinking the same thing, so it will be exciting. We don´t talk about points, it´s such a small advantage that we don´t even count on them to help us right now”.

Audi MedCup Circuit: Barcelona ready to witness the closest finish

September 06, 2011

Barcelona, the Olympic city of 1992, looks set to witness the closest finish to the Audi MedCup Circuit for four years when the TP52’s of the 52 Series shoot out for the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit title.

21 07 2010, Camper Regatta - Conde de Godo Trophy - Barcelona © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

21 07 2010, Camper Regatta - Conde de Godo Trophy - Barcelona © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Quantum Racing, skippered by America’s Cup winner Ed Baird (USA), need a solid final regatta if they are to hold off the advances of Italy’s Audi Azzurra Sailing Team and lift the title.

“We are really looking forwards to Barcelona. We have a job to do there and are confident we can do it. When we look back to Cartagena our feeling is very much not to panic, if there is nothing particularly broken then we don’t have to worry about trying to fix things, but just to focus on trying to the do the things that we know we do well better.

We have an exceptional team who are used to closing out major titles, like the America’s Cup and World Championships and so I don’t think pressure or confidence will come into it.” Opens Ed Reynolds (USA), Quantum Racing’s project manager, “I think that we have to make sure we are fully optimised for the conditions expected, which might be something like 12-16kts sea breezes with the choppy seas we saw last year. Those conditions I certainly feel are not a weakness for us.”

Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, skippered by Gullermo Parada (ARG) with Vasco Vascotto (ITA) as strategist and Francesco Bruni (ITA) as tactician have proven the most consistent 52 Seriesteam over the second half of this season. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team have just finished second overall at the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy in August after July’s Region of Sardinia Trophy off Cagliari where they also finished runners up. They are the only team to have been on the podium at each and every regatta this year.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 27 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 27 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team crew which last year as Matador finished third overall, only five points shy of Quantum Racing who were second in 2010, show every sign of finishing their season on a high. They could press Quantum Racing right to the wire heading into 2011’sBarcelona finale only 3.5 points behind long time Circuit leaders Quantum Racing.

“We will arrive in Barcelona very highly motivated, with a high morale with great support. We know that the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Audi and Roemmers Family members will all be there to support us, and that’s why we want to finish the season in the best possible way. We expect to have a good week.” Offers Guillermo Parada (ARG), Audi Azzurra Sailing Team’s skipper.

Since winning the Cascais Trophy in Portugal the American team Quantum Racing have topped the overall standings after each of the four regattas so far this season but their lead was effectively halved in Murcia last month.

The final regatta of the season, the Conde de Godó – Barcelona Trophy starts in just one week’s time when the battle for the title might even become a three cornered one as the German flagged team on Udo Schuetze’s Container are still only 11.5 points behind the 52 Series Circuit leaders.

“ The title victory in the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit is far from over. A good series could easily get back 10 or 15 points of Quantum Racing’s lead.” Says Markus Wieser (GER) skipper-helm of Container, “ It’s all in their hands for sure, but they also didn’t sail so well in the past. We think the hardest competitor to beat will be Bribon again, because they are the fastest boat in light air. Even they might be able to grab the overall trophy. The beat us by 18 points in Cartagena and Quantum Racing by 13.5. So, why not do so again?”

Indeed Bribon, racing in the home water of owner Jose Cusi, is far from out of the title race, 18 points off the Circuit lead in fourth place. Recent winners of the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy, they are considered the form team in light to moderate airs.

The schedule for the title shoot out regatta differs slightly from the four preceding events, with the official Practice Race on Monday September 12th and points racing for the 52 Series starting on Tuesday 11th.

As it stands it is certainly not easy to predict which team will be crowned 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit champions.

Historically Barcelona’s Garbi sea breeze is slightly less reliable in September but will usually make an appearance, blowing anywhere between 11 and 16-17kts from around 200 to 210 degrees. The gradient breeze is sometime the brisk Easterly Levante which has marked the weather in the last few days in the Catalonian capital.

Different TP52s have won in each regatta this season and it would not be a surprise to find a fifth boat winning the Conde de Godó – Barcelona Trophy. The fleet is due to be at full strength with the return of Tony Langley’s Gladiator.

In the 40 Series it is not as open. Spain’s Iberdrola Sailing Team start in Barcelona with a lead of 28 points, but they will be racing in a class of six Soto 40’s following the arrival of Toni Guiuand Àlex Laplaza’s new boat www.cruiser-racer.com, which will make its debut on the team’s home waters.

Britain’s Ngoni became the only team other than the Iberdrola Sailing Team to win a regatta this season when they won in Murcia. Tony Buckingham’s crew have designs on the second place which is presently held by Noticia IV.

Region of Murcia Trophy Cartagena, 25 08 2011 © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Trophy Cartagena, 25 08 2011 © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

“I really think that after our performance in Murcia that it is do-able. Our main thing will be to try and put boats between us and Noticia IV in as many races as we can, and from that point of view a six boat fleet can only be better for us. Certainly in Cagaliari I felt like Noticia IV was a little quicker in the big breeze at times, but we were certainly fast in Cartagena and go to Barcelona with a lot of confidence. We feel like we have improved at each regatta so look forward to continuing with that.”

Said Kevin Sproul (GBR), Ngoni’s skipper who will hand the helm back to owner Buckinghamfor Barcelona.

Portugal’s Bigamist crew return to race in Barcelona and will be sailing onboard XXII, with Star Olympic sailor Afonso Domingos as skipper-helm along with programme owner Pedro Mendonça.

Quotes:

Agustín Zulueta (ESP), Iberdrola Sailing Team’s project manager:

“ We made several mistakes in Cartagena from which we draw some conclusions:: first of all our sails have suffered a lot throughout the 30 races that we’ve done till now, and some need to be replaced. Secondly the level of this fleet has evened out now which means that if we make mistakes they beat us. So it is very clear to us what we have to do in Barcelona.”

Markus Wieser (GER) skipper-helm of Container (GER):
“We worked a lot on our sails after Cartagena especially on the light wind gennaker and built a new A2 on out last slot. We hope we can improve on the light air performance now compared to the last regatta because in general we’re expecting even lighter breezes than in Cartagena.”

“We should not be too disappointed after Cartagena keeping in mind that this is still our first TP 52 season and most of the other team have much more experience with these boats than us. The season’s opener and Marseille were just great with our boat speed in heavy winds, but we simply couldn’t anticipate the necessary trim and set-up changes for medium to light air quick enough. Let’s say the others learned their lessons better than we did. But we’ll keep going and do the best we can to fighting back in Barcelona.”

“The victory in the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit is far from over. A good series could easily take out 10 or 15 points of Quantum Racing’s lead. It’s all in their hands for sure, but they also didn’t sailed too well in the past. We think the hardest competitor to beat will be BRIBON again, because they are the fastest boat in light air. Even they might be able to grab the overall trophy. The beat us by 18 points in Cartagena and Quantum Racing by 13.5. Why not do so again?”

Region of Murcia Trophy Cartagena, 28 08 2011 © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Trophy Cartagena, 28 08 2011 © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

“Although racing is so tight in this class it always comes down to boat speed. If you are just that little bit too slow you can’t act anymore and deliver your strategy and tactics, you have to then react. And this doesn’t work out well quite often. If you are fast enough, you manage to be in front once, and then the rich are getting richer most of the time.”

Jochen Schuemann (GER) skipper-helm of Audi Sailing Team powered by ALL4ONE:
“Although we were not that happy with rank four in Cartagena we missed the podium with just a tiny little margin to QUANTUM. This showed that we were on the right track and our victory in Cagliari was not only by luck.”

“We can’t do much about our downwind weakness in medium to strong breeze, because we had used all our slots to build new sails already. Otherwise we certainly would try a different A4. But we are developing a new gennaker which we hope to use at the Worlds in Porto Cervo later the year.”

“Our goal is a podium finish in Barcelona. We know we missed the Circuit podium already but every single race and every single trophy is important to us. The conditions in Barcelona seem to be quite uncertain from very lttle winds with lumpy seas to strong Tramontanta – everything could happen. So you need to strength your general performance and not concentrating on specific conditions.”

“It will be an interesting regatta for the overall win of the season, with QUANTUM, AZZURRA and even CONTAINER still in striking distance.”

Audi MedCup Circuit – Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy: 2nd Day Update

August 25, 2011

If the forecast is to be believed the pace should pick up slightly for the second day of racing at the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy, the fourth event of the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 24 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 24 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup


There is a promise that the sea breeze should pick up to more than 10kts by the middle of the afternoon. The target is set to try and run three races for both classes, but that seems quite ambitious given that local predictions are that the sea-breeze will not build much before 1400hrs.
While Russia’s Synergy Sailing Team top the regatta leaderboard, yesterday also proved to be a decent day for the Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA), finishing third.

The 40 Series fleet should start their racing today and the big question is whether the young Australian team on Patagonia by the Australian Soto 40 Sailing Team (AUS) can repeat some of their success of yesterday when they won the Practice Race. The young crew held an informal reception this morning to announce their definitive intention to be back next season with a full Soto 40 programme:

“This is very much a fact-finding mission, looking at the logistics, the events and how it all works, and seeing how the team works together and so far we are very happy with it all. We have some guys back in Perth who we think are interested in sponsoring us, so when we get back the plan is to get right back into it. At the moment we are trying to get story into people’s minds back home and then go from there.” Said skipper-helm Brent Fowler (AUS) who has put the project together.

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):
“Cartagena is a challenging place to sail, yesterday we had a weak sea breeze so it was quite difficult to read the race in the water, we saw big gains and losses. It was a matter of backing what you believed and taking the side that you thought was best. Today´s forecasts say that it could be a bit different, we might see 13 knots or we might not, but I´m sure we´ll see good racing. All teams can win a race.  I think Synergy have shown that they sail well in this conditions. We are very pleased with result but we know that today it´s going to be a tough day”.

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Iberdrola Team (ESP):
“The first couple of days here are going to be tricky due to the weather conditions. This racecourse also has currents and you really have to be on top of things to sail well. I think it´s going to be a close trophy in the 40 Series. The Aussies sailed great yesterday, they are a team that sail in Farr 40, which are similar boats to the Soto 40s, they know how to sail boats with this length. We are happy because we didn’t sail well upwind at the beginning but we manage to recover for the rest of the race.”

2011 Audi MedCup Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy: More complications

August 24, 2011

The Audi MedCup Circuit’s fourth regatta of the five event season, the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy, is expected to start today with only light winds for the two scheduled windward leeward races for the 52 Series.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 24 08 2011 © Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 24 08 2011 © Ian Roman/Audi MedCup


It is another very warm morning with only very light winds,for both fleets around the Audi MedCuprace village the 52 Series and the 40 Series – which should have their official practice race this afternoon.

The forecast for the day predicts around 5-9 knots from the south for the early afternoon, prehaps building to eight to 12 knots as the thermal enhancement helps, but the sea breeze situation on the race course is sometimes complicated as Synergy’s Francesco Mongelli explains:

“When the sea breeze starts to build the problem here is that the cliffs are so high and get so hot that the flow is not able to get to cliff, to wrap round and make more acceleration. It just builds offshore and we cannot go far offshore because the water is so deep.

The mountains and cliffs make it a difficult and interesting place to sail. The key I think is to be adaptable, to be able to react quickly and change your mind as you need to, to keep an eye on the current. There is a flow offshore which flows towards Gibraltar. Sometimes it is pretty strong like last year, and there is some circulation (going the other way inshore). When it is light it is important, the current is changing direction and flow.

Offshore there can be 2-3kts but it is not coming as close inshore as it was last year.

Because it is dry and not very green then it gets warm very easily, so it does make a good flow for the sea-breeze – which, for example gets very strong in the harbour- but it is not the same on the race area.

The feeling is good with the team, we have to better than in Cagliari, we deserve better. We have a couple of changes to the crew. Our bowman got injured two days ago before coming here and so we have Bernard Labro  used to sail with him on the Louis Vuitton Acts so we know him well, and we have Christian Kamp (DEN, ex TeamOrigin, ex Luna Rossa) as trimmer.”

Over a day which does not look or feel too different from yesterday, when the practice race had to be cancelled due to lack of breeze, the important virtues will be patience and adaptability. Experience of light winds off Cartagena has long since dictated that this is what sailors call a ‘heads out of the boat’ type venue, where watching for the changes – sometimes very subtle, sometimes big – and then adapting to gain the biggest benefit is what usually proves successful.

For the Soto 40′s practice day is just as important for Spain’s Iberdrola Sailing Team which leads the circuit by a comfortable margin as José María Torcida (ESP) reports:

“Our goals are the same. The practice race is going to help us because we´ll be sailing together again, something that has not happened since Cagliari, although we´ve all been sailing. We usually arrive a day in advance but due to different circumstances we´ve ended up coming here a bit later, we hope it doesn´t interfere with our performance today. Not a lot of wind, that´ll help us get used to the racecourse. I´m sure the new teams will be good competitors, but our main rival is NH Hoteles, they are strong because they´ve sailing well. We aim to keep our point advantage or even increase by the time we leave Cartagena.”

Audi MedCup – Region of Murcia, Cartagena Trophy: Practice race cancelled due to lack of wind

August 24, 2011

The scheduled practice race for the Region of Murcia, Cartagena Trophy regatta fell victim to a lack of breeze, and when the AP flag hung limply over the A flag and it became apparent that there was n prospect of enough wind to race, the 52 Series fleet scuttled back to Cartagena’s marina, seeking relief from the searing afternoon heat.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

With 26 races completed of the season’s maximum complement of 45, the 52 Series fleet is hardly short on practice.

But the disappointment that today’s official Practice Race was thwarted by insufficient breeze was felt because the vast majority of the season’s races have been contested in winds above 13kts.

With many of the fleet having made configuration alterations and/or carding brand new sails aimed at enhancing their light winds potential, a chance to line up against the fleet in full race mode in light winds would have been welcomed today.

But it was not to be.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The race fleet were back at the dock by 1600hrs ready to contemplate Wednesday’s first windward-leeward races.

Light to moderate winds are in prospect at least for the early part of the regatta.

Three different boats have already won regattas this season.

Tim Powell and the crew of Niklas and Catherine Zennström’s RÁN come directly to Cartagenaafter winning the classic 608 miles Fastnet Race for the second consecutive time, but Powellbelieves this will be a tough test for their team in the lighter conditions:

“ The last few regattas have been windy and so now we have to get to grips with the lighter airs.”said Powell, “It is a little more of a challenge for us because all of the sailing that we have done over the last few weeks has been in good breeze, and so we need to get our heads around it a bit. Of course now it is finesse which required rather than brute force. So it will be a learning curve on that for us.”

“For sure winning the Fastnet is a great, great achievement and coming here it does give us a boost, but of course this is very, very different racing.” Powell continues, “ We have always had a good group of people and we have always got on well together and we have always believed in ourselves that we are capable of performing well. The difference here is the format, windward-leeward racing and so we have to be realistic that just because we won the Fastnet it does not mean we will come here and suddenly win the Audi MedCup.”

“We have a tight schedule, we finished the Fastnet on the Tuesday and came here on Saturday, then we go to the Maxi Worlds and then straight to Barcelona, so it is a hectic few weeks.”

“ I think probably at the moment we lack a little bit of the consistency which is required to win a regatta, but it is slowly coming together. There is no one thing, in all areas we need to be just a little better and that higher level of consistency would get us up the fleet quite quickly.”

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Guido Trombetta Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Guido Trombetta Studio Borlenghi Audi MedCup

The 52 Series should race two scheduled windward-leeward races Wednesday when the 40 Series fleet have their practice race planned.

Quantum Racing (USA) will go afloat with a seven points series lead over second placedContainer (GER) who in turn are seven points ahead of third placed Audi Azzurra Sailing Team(ITA).

The conventional thinking around the Cartagena dockside is that this regatta will shape the podium which will be finally settled at next month’s Barcelona finale.

Audi MedCup TV’s live broadcasting of all the action from the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy regatta begins Wednesday at 1250hrs (local/1150hrs BST/1050hrs. GMT). The live programme stream can also be also now be followed on Facebook along where there is now a live chat forum.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

2011 Audi MedCup Circuit

52 Series

Standings after 3 events

1. Quantum Racing (USA), 19 + 30 + 42= 91 points

2. Container (GER), 31,5 + 28,5+38= 98 points

3. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA), 32,5 + 37+35,5= 105 points

4. Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), 37 + 39,5+44,5= 121 points

5. Bribón (ESP), 47,5 + 38+37= 122,5  points

5. Ràn (SWE), 40,5+41,5+43,5= 125,5 points

7. Audi Sailing Team Powered by All4One (GER/FR) 58 + 43,5+26,5 =128 points

8. Gladiator (GBR), 85,5 + 47+85,5= 218 points

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 23 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Tim Powell (GBR) skipper-mainsail trimmer RÁN (SWE/GBR):

“We have quite a few new sails on the boat and so we are hoping that will give us a nice little speed jump. The last few regattas have been windy and so now we have to get to grips with the lighter airs.

It is a little more of a challenge for us because even all of the sailing that we have done over the last few weeks has been in good breeze, and so we need to get our heads around it a bit. Of course now it is finesse which required rather than brute force. So it will be a learning curve on that for us.”

I think probably at the moment we lack a little bit of the consistency which is required to win a regatta, but it is slowly coming together. There is no one thing, in all areas we need to be just a little better and that higher level of consistency would get us up the fleet quite quickly.”

“For sure winning the Fastnet is a great, great achievement and coming here it does give us a boost, but of course this is very, very different racing. We have always had a good group of people and we have always got on well together and we have always believed in ourselves that we are capable of performing well. The difference here is the format, windward-leeward racing and so we have to be realistic that just because we won the Fastnet it does not mean we will come here and suddenly win the Audi MedCup.

We have a tight schedule, we finished the Fastnet on the Tuesday and came here on Saturday, then we go to the Maxi Worlds and then straight to Barcelona, so it is a hectic few weeks.”

“In terms of our expectations I think we are probably a little behind where we hoped to be, but I think we are realistic enough to know this a really tough fleet, and that realisation hits home having now done a few regattas.

We will be back year and we always knew this was going to be quite an upwards learning curve, we are here next year and the aim will be to set ourselves higher targets for next year.”

Ignasi Triay (ESP), trimmer, Bribón (ESP):

“We left a bit early, because we knew there was going to be little wind out there today and we wanted to try a couple of things in these conditions, because there has not been a lot of days like today so far this year. We had a couple of doubts that we wanted to solve regarding trimming, so we sailed a while until the wind has disappeared and the regatta could not take place. We´ve drawn some conclusions so we benefited from today´s sailing. We have our inflatable boat out there now, our Navigator and our Skipper are checking the rocks and the depth for the coastal race. These are things that you usually can´t do because you don´t have the time. Now we have to rest and stay away from the heat. Tomorrow shouldn´t be very windy, but I think that we´ll be able to sail. What´s important is to be ready then.”

Jochen Schuemann (GER), skipper, Audi Sailing Team powered ALL4ONE (FRA/GER):

“We tried to make today an efficient day so we went straight out at 1100hrs and we sailed two hours before the first signal was given. We sailed a while and that´s good, we are not disappointed. The race committee was right about cancelling the race because outside there´s no wind. I hope the upcoming days are better in terms of wind. We have not made major changes. We are learning every day; every hour that can sail helps us because these are the only days when we have all the 12 members of the crew together”.

First day’s pressure at the Audi MedCup Circuit’s Region of Murcia – Cartagena Trophy

August 23, 2011

A light, slow start to the first morning of the Audi MedCup Circuit’s Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy masks the tensions which are almost inevitably rising among the leading contenders.

Audi MedCup 2011 - Region of Murcia Trophy - Cartagena - Spain - Photo Guido Trombetta - Studio Borlegnhi Audi MedCup

Audi MedCup 2011 - Region of Murcia Trophy - Cartagena - Spain - Photo Guido Trombetta - Studio Borlegnhi Audi MedCup


This time least year there was one dominant team which were odds on for the title. This season, the stifling heat of  high summer Murcia and one of the circuit’s most difficult race tracks finds the top teams squeezed ever tighter since Cagliari in the 52 Series, even closer in boat speed and skill level.
Predicting a TP52 winner here would be a fool’s game.

Today sees the official practice race for the 52 Series. Already there has been a postponement ashore as there is so little wind, but the forecast shows a light, sub 10kts sea breeze for the afternoon which should be enough to get the two practice starts and the official practice away.

Víctor Mariño (ESP), Strategist, Container (GER):
“We´ve made some pretty big changes in our boat after racing in the Copa del Rey with medium wind conditions a few days ago. We made a few important decisions, had a chance to test those changes yesterday with other boats and had a good feedback. We´ve optimized our boat in order to sail in lighter conditions, so we can face this event in the best ideal shape Wind conditions here this week should be medium-light and with these changes we are in a better position to compete at our best potential with the rest of the fleet. We think that this is a very important event that could define who will be the podium teams in Barcelona. You can either stay in the fight or lose your chances, so we have to be calm, work hard and get the best possible result.”

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