TWT wins Farr 40s

A report from the Deutsche Bank Farr 40 Euromed regatta in Cala Galera

The second round of the Deutsche Bank Farr 40 Euromed circuit was held in Cala Galera on 28-30 May. With 13 very competitive boats on the water, the racing was close.

The first day was a difficult one held in a shifty 8 knot. There where three winners for three races, with Joe Fly, European Champions Strunje Light and TWT each taking the bullet on what was a long day for all.

The second day was a test of concentration. The boats left the harbour at 10am heading into a 5 hour delay before racing finally started in a shifty easterly breeze at 3pm. The wind however did arrive, at times gusting to 20 knots with big shifts. Again the racing was very close. Two races sailed, with Vincenzo Onerato's Breeze and World Champions Nerone taking a race each.

On the last day the wind was shifty and exceptionally light. After a very light first race won by Twins 2, the French boat were now only one point away from TWT and there was everything to play for going into the last heat.

The first attempt was abandoned at the half way point as the wind dropped away and shifted through 90 degrees. Time to wait for a more stable breeze for the final race. A second attempt was started about 30 minutes later, the wind had shifted 180 degrees in the past half hour and was settling into a weak afternoon sea breeze at around 10 knots and moving gently to the right.

After a clean start the fleet separated up the first beat, with the local boats heading towards the right shore. Downwind the fleet stayed fairly bunched heading into a chaotic bottom mark rounding. The fleet spilt fairly evenly between the two bottom marks that may have been a little too close together. One casualty was the Cadhire mastman who went down the foredeck hatch during a hectic rounding, requiring his owner to retire and sort out a quick trip to hospital.

The fleet settled in well on the second beat with most boats drag racing to the right shore and rounding into a settled breeze for the downwind run. In the end TWT won their second race and the weekend, while the French had their worst finish of the regatta in the tricky conditions, 10th over the line and second overall. Well done TWT on their first F40 regatta win. Well deserved.

On Cacharaza the UK-based Australian boat sponsored by Sap2Sap.com Marcos Vivian reports that the crew had a pretty average first day, but sorted themselves out well for the next two, putting together a string of strong results to round out the weekend in good form.

Next stop Porto Cervo for more sunshine & some strong breeze. Racing begins on the 17th of June where more close and competitive racing is guaranteed on the final leg of the 2004 Euromed series.

Overall results

1 ITA13711 TWT 4 3 1 2 4 8 1 23
2 FRA007 TWINS 2 2 7 2 4 7 1 1 0 33
3 ITA1805 JOE FLY1 6 9 7 3 5 4 35
4 ITA2272 NERONE 58113126 36
5 ITA4038 MADINA MILANO 6 2 1 0 6 8 4 8 44
6 NOR40 NORWEGIAN STEAM 8 1 0 3 5 2 9 9 46
7 ITA1 BREEZE 9 4 8 1 1 0 1 0 5 47
8 GER5055 STRUNTJE LIGHT 7 1 4 12 12 1 12 49
9 GBR 7040 RCALVI 3 1 1 1 2 11 6 6 3 52
10 AUS 69R CACHARAZA 11 12 13 8 5 3 7 59
11 ITA 091 SHINING SR. 10 9 5 10 11 7 12 64
12 GBR 25R FIAMMA 12 5 6 13 9 12 11 68
13 GBR 8940 FARRFALLINA 13 13 7 9 13 13 14 82