Vascotto pulls into poll

Miriam Torres reports from the penultimate day of the Breitling MedCup TP52 racing at the Trofeo SM La Reina

The two races sailed today in Valencia took Vasco Vascotto's Leche Pascual (formerly Pisco Sour) into the leader's spot overall in the Breitling MedCup TP52, in front of Caixa Galicia, leader since the first race in Punta Ala.

Sailing today among more than 110 boats taking part in the Trofeo SM La Reina, the TP52 fleet fully enjoyed local sea breeze with 14-16 knots of wind. In the first race, George Andreadis' Greek flagged Atalanti XV, skippered by Paul Cayard, made a premature start, so could only finish seventh. Lexus didn’t have her best start either, although the boat helmed and skippered by Russell Coutts managed to recover and climbed to finish second.

However the Spanish built, Chilean owned Leche Pascual with Italian Vasco Vascotto at the helm, controlled the whole fleet from start to finish. Several lengths behind, Lexus and Bribon, skippered by King Juan Carlos of Spain, had an exciting last downwind leg with Lexus finally crossing in front to take second at the finish line. Tomasso Chieffi’s Orlanda Olympus with Ian Moore from Emirates Team New Zealand as navigator, was fourth.

The second race of the day (race 5) saw Leche Pascual lead up to the last downwind leg, when Lexus made a superb tactical choice on taking the right side of the race course, while the whole fleet remained left. Lexus gybed and managed to cross the finish line 25 seconds in front of Leche Pascual. Atalanti was third and John Cook's Cristabella in fourth. Caixa Galicia who was leader up to today was fifth.

In the Corinthian Category, Bribon leads the overall results.

TP52s at Trofeo SM La Reina after five races:

1. Leche Pascual 37 Pts
2. Lexus 36 Pts
3. Bribón 33 Pts
4. Atalanti 25 Pts
5. Caixa Galicia 25 Pts
6. Orlanda 22 Pts
7. Bambakou 22 Pts
8. Cristabella 15 Pts
9. Aifos 10 Pts