Sailing yacht Artemis, winners of last month’s Camper Regatta – Conde de Godó Trophy – Barcelona, suggested today that they might have lost nothing of their momentum when they comfortably won today’s official Practice Race for the TP52 Series at the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy off Cartagena.
TP52 Training Day - Artemis Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Audi MedCup Circuit Photo Credit Nico Martinez- Audi MedCup
With Cameron Appleton (NZL) calling tactics and Paul Cayard (USA) on the helm, the Artemis crew read the tricky approach to the first turning nearly perfectly to be able to round in first place, ahead of the Portuguese team on Pedro Mendonca’s Bigamist 7.
At the leeward gate Artemis sailed wide and late allowing Bigamist through, but they quickly made good what they had lost, leading around the top mark for the second time to take the winning gun by 41 seconds from Bigamist with Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) finishing third. The best recovery of the day was that staged by Terry Hutchinson (USA) and Quantum Racing (USA) who worked from 11th at the first turn to finish fourth.
TP52 Training Day - Fleet Downwind Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia TrophyCaja - Cartagena Photo Credit Ainhoa Sanchez-Audi MedCup
After a delay of over one and a half hours waiting for the sea breeze to fill in sufficiently to allow racing the SW’ly breeze topped no more than eight knots but it was the top corner, calling the layline in to the windward mark in the streaky breeze and strong current which taxed the afterguards most today.
Racing is scheduled to start in earnest for the TP52’s tomorrow at around 1330hrs after the GP42 Series have completed their initial practice starts.
Among the visiting VIP’s was Ruth Beitia, Spain’s 2010 indoor world championships silver medal winning high jumper who sailed today aboard Bribón.
After watching today’s TP52 Practice Race many of the 30 participants who have been competing at the regional Optimist championships were able jump on board the top two boats, Artemis and Bigamist, for the ride back to Cartagena then helping the crews fold sails and carry them to the container village.
Last night’s gymnastics display was well received by a large and enthusiastic crowd. Tonight there is a Carthaginians and Romans show at the Public Village.
TP52 Training Day - Fleet Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy - Audi MedCup Circuit Photo Credit Stefano Gattini Studio Borlenghi-Audi MedCup
Quotes:
María Torrijo (ESP), Principal Race Officer:
“This week will be difficult, not only will be for tacticians because the light wind and the strong current will complicate things on the course areas but it will be tricky too for us in race management.”
Sabina Mollart-Rogerson
Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy TP52 Series official practice race
1. Artemis (SWE)
2. Bigamist 7 (POR), +00:41
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), +00:53
4. Quantum Racing (USA), +01:13
5. Matador (ARG), +01:38
6. Synergy (RUS), +02:12
7. Luna Rossa (ITA), +02:21
8. Bribón (ESP), +02:43
9. TeamOrigin (GBR), DNF
10. Cristabella (GBR), DNF
11. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), DNF
2010 Audi MedCup Circuit. Overall after 3 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
GP42 Series
1. Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP), 24+12+14= 50 points
2. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP), 14+17+19(+1)= 51*
3. Iberdrola (ESP), 25+10+26= 61
4. AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA), 37+15+39= 91
5. Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), 40+24+37= 101
* Islas Canarias Puerto Calero has been penalised one point for breaking rule 7.3 of the MedCup Circuit rule (all the boats to be moored at the MedCup pontoon by Friday afternoon)
