Coutts again

Lexus-Quantum leads at half-way stage of offshore race at the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava

Lexus-Quantum, skippered by three-time America’s Cup winner Russell Coutts , once again dominated the first part of today's offshore race crossing the first finish line well ahead of the rest in today’s offshore race. At the end of the the 93.8 mile course there will be another finish, which will mark the second set of results and the end of the offshore race. The fleet are forecasted to finish around midnight tonight. Second to cross the first finish line was Caixa Galicia, also maintaining their position well.

With 10 knots of breeze, increasing to 14 knots, the fleet departed and after a good start and an excellent first upwind leg, Lexus-Quantum took the lead. Caixa Galicia was initially towards the back of the fleet, but managed a good upwind leg to move into third place, close behind the US boat Bambakou, which Caixa Galicia later overtook on the first downwind leg.

If the first leg was spectaular, even without position changes, the following leg was even better. Movistar, who had been in fourth place, blew up their asymmetric spinnaker. A crew member was sent aloft to retrieve the head of the sail and in the process they had dropped to tenth place at the next mark. Orlanda Olympus moved up to fourth place, taking advantage of Movistar’s bad luck. On this leg the choice of spinnaker was a determining factor and played a big role in the fleet positions.

Following the triangular course inside the Bay of Palma, the TP52s rounded the buoy at San Juan de Dios and headed towards the island of Dragonera. On the way to the small island of El Toro Lexus were still lying in first place although their lead had considerably shortened over Caixa Galicia, MoviStar and Bribon. Rounding the mark at Dragonera Lexus was 40 seconds of Caixa Galicia with Movistar two minutes away from first followed by Orlanda Olympus.

But at the finish of the first part of the race, opposite the island of el Toro, John Cook's Cristabella had moved up to third followed by Atalanti, Orlanda Olympus, Bambakou, MoviStar, Bribón, Aifos and the two newest boats Siemens and Balearia. by this stage the wind had dropped and the fleet were facing a much tougher second part of the race, where anything may happen as both night and the wind fall…

Results: Copa del Rey-Agua Brava

Caixa Galicia 11, 8, 10 (29)
Lexus Quantum Racing 5, 11, 11 (27)
MoviStar 10, 10, 5 (25)
Cristabella 8, 7, 9 (24)
Atalanti XV 4, 9, 8 (21)
Bambakou 6, 6, 6 (18)
Siemens 9, 2, 2 (13)
Bribón 7, 3 , 4 (14)
Orlanda-Olympus 3,4, 7 (14)
Balearia 1,5, 1 (6)
Aifos 2,1, 3 (6)

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