Patches scores a second

While Vascotto maintains his lead on the opening day of the Breitling MedCup regatta in Porto Rotundo, Sicily

The glorious surroundings of Sardinia, Italy were the backdrop for the first race in the Audi Cup, which is the final event in the Breitling MedCup TP52 Circuit for the Transpac 52 Class. Sailors such as Russell Coutts, Gavin Brady, Peter Isler, Ben Ainslie, Vasco Vascotto, Ian Walker and Spaniards such as Roberto Bermúdez de Castro, Toño Gorostegui and Iñaki Castañer met on the start line at 13:00 for the 40 nautical mile coastal race, taking the fleet as far as the island of Monaci.

Prior to the event the crews had experienced strong Mistral winds while in training, but today’s race was held in light northerly winds of 8-12 knots.

All indications were that this was lining up to be a very exciting day on wather, with Pisco Sour and skipper Vasco Vascotto fighting to retain their leadership of the Breitling MedCup TP52 series, in this the final regatta, with the Italian/Chilean TP52 holding a three point lead over her closest rival, Lexus Quantum, with the America’s Cup legend Russell Coutts at the helm, and a 13 point advantage over Spain’s Caixa Galicia.

The final victory in the MedCup hangs in the balance at present, and the odds lengthened as new vessels joined the fleet, such as the USA’s Sjambok, skippered by Gavin Brady, and Eamon Coneely's Patches with Ian Walker and Ben Ainslie on board.

Three boats led off the start line. While Lexus was late, Caixa Galicia and Sjambok who leading throughout the first part of the race together with Pisco Sour. In fourth place was Aifos who's crew were fighting to retain their fourth position despite attacks from Balearia and Caixa Galicia.

In the next legs the fleet split into two groups: the leaders including the Americans on Sjambok, Ireland’s Patches and Pisco Sour were followed by another group of Balearia, Aifos and Caixa Galicia while Lexus and Bribon fought for the lead of the group. The Italians on Orlanda brught up the rear.

Arriving at the island of Monaci the fleet hoisted spinnakers, the lead was taken by Pisco Sour, followed by Patches, then Lexus, Coutts knowing better than most how to gain positions swiftly after a bad start. In fourth place was Sjambok followed by Caixa Galicia, Bribon and Aifos, and then Orlanda Olympus and Balearia. This order continued until the finish.

“It has been a very difficult day, but it’s been good for us, a great start for us in this regatta," said Vasco Vascotto. "Our interest is to win the Breitling MedCup and therefore the important thing is to be always in front of Lexus. The race has been very regular and we have had to play with the sails changes all the time. The whole race has been based on that. The good performance of Patches and Sjambok hasn’t been a surprise, as both are helmed by excellent sailors.”

Results - race 1:

1. Pisco Sour 9 points
2. Patches 8 points
3. Lexus 7 points
4. Sjambok – 6 points
5. Caixa Galicia – 5 points
6. Bribon – 4 points
7. Aifos 3 points
8. Orlanda – Olympus 2 points
9. Balearia – 1 point