First blood to Caixa Galicia

A report from the opening day of the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava Trophy racing for the TP52s in Majorca

The wind was the reluctant star of the opening day of the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava Trophy, the fourth event in the Breitling MedCup. The world’s most modern and dynamic fleet were forced to wait until 15:15 local time for the Race Committee to give the start signal.

Racing began with a windward-leeward and a course of roughly 12.7 miles to be covered. In a southwesterly breeze of ten knots, it was the Italians on Orlanda-Olympus - with the America’s Cup Luna Rossa strategist Francesco Bruni at the helm, who led at the first mark, followed by Siemens, featuring tactician Gary Weisman, who were in second place. In third place at this point was Caixa Galicia, who had Dee Smith back on board, after his absence from the last event. Behind them was Movistar-Pisco Sour, with the Vascotto-Campos duo at the helm, then came Bribon owned by José Cusi, followed by America's Cup legend, Russell Coutts on Lexus - all separated by a matter of boat lengths at this point. On board Movistar-Pisco Sour, Vasco Vascotto helms upwind, Pedro Campos downwind.

It was on the third leg that Caixa Galicia, well known for their impeccable manoeuvres, gave the rest of the fleet a lesson and pulling into the lead. Close behind was Siemens, and a much-improved Cristabella with John Cook. On the fourth leg Caixa Galicia were maintaining their lead, and Vascotto-Campos who had taken over second place followed by Siemens in third.

The battle in the Corinthian division was also tough with Bribon skippered by HM Juan Carlos of Spain and Carl Buchan, in front of Cristabella, who were in fifth place, and Bambakou, who were in eighth. Two of the favourites, Atalanti XV featuring both Paul Cayard and Emirates Team New Zealand's Dean Barker and Russell Coutts' team on Lexus were in sixth and seventh place at this point.

At the end of the last leg upwind, Vicente Tirado’s Caixa Galicia sealed their victory, in this first race at the Copa del Rey. "“It’s been a good race, and we went where we wanted to go," said Dee Smith. "In the first stretch, we hoisted our A5 asymmetric when nobody else did, which helped us gain more speed. In the second upwind leg we stayed to the left, which was the right decision, as it gave us the lead. Then we just had to maintain that lead.”

Vascotto and Campos followed on Movistar, with Siemens showing a much improved performance finishing third, the team benefitting from much local knowledge of the Bay’s conditions. Howeer Siemens skipper Pedro Perelló paid tribute to his tactician: “We’re getting to know the boat better, and our tactician, Gary Weisman, is the type of guy who would do the job well in any waters, so my local knowledge hasn’t played such a big part. Even though Gary listens well, he makes his own decisions. Also our helmsman, Jim Allsop is doing really well - we’ve got a great team. We will celebrete this as a victory.”

Among the Corinthian group of TP52s it was John Cook's Cristabella who won today followed by the American Bambakou team featuring Olympic Tornado sailor Santiago Lange occasionally taking the helm. In seventh place was Jaime Yllera's Lexus with Russell Coutts at the wheel, finishing just ahead of his America’s Cup protégée, Dean Barker, on Atalanti XV.

After racing Paul Cayard, skipper and tactician on Atalanti XV, gave his views on his new onboard role: “We really want to get the boat optimised, not only for this event, but for next season. We’ve contracted Dean because he’s an excellent helmsman, and we can be sure that on that side of things the boat will be performing 100%. If I’m steering, it’s difficult for me to focus on anything but my own boat. It’s good for me to see what’s happening around me, how the other boats are going, so in this regatta I’m onboard as tactician, with Dean at the helm.”

Results: race 1
1. Caixa Galicia. 11 points
2. Movistar.10 p
3. Siemens.9 p
4. Cristabella.8 p
5. Bribón.7 p
6. Bambakou.6 p
7. Lexus.5 p
8. Atalanti XV. 4 P
9. Orlanda-Olympus.3 p
10. Aifos. 2 p
11. Balearia. 1 p