Uncooperative Bay of Palma

Only one race held on the opening day of Hublot Palmavela

The opening day of racing at the Hublot Palmavela was a challenging one in light conditions with only one race sailed, but saw Magic Carpet 2, Container and Artemis take an early lead in the Maxi Wally, Mini Maxi and TP52 classes respectively.

Today's start was scheduled for 12:00, but the committee chose to postpone it, resulting in a half an hour delay. But when the TP52 and Maxi fleets reached the Delta course, opposite Arenal, the clouds and the cold persisted and prevented the wind from building. It was not until 14:30 that Arianne Mainemare's committee was able to give the signal announcing the start of the competition.

In the TP52 class, Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis took the lead from the first beat. In the first race the Swedish team passed Cristabella after after John Cook's British team had made the best start. With Paul Cayard steering, Artemis managed to take the lead and extend until the finish. Cristabella came home second ahead of Matador and the other British TP52 Weapon of Choice.

In the Mini Maxis, German Udo Schutz and his Markus Weiser-driven STP65 Container held the lead from the beginning to the end. They came home ahead of Sir Peter Odgen's  all-black Jethou, and Andy Sorriano's Alegre.

The most spectacular fleet were the Maxi Wallies. Kenora, Nikata and Magic Carpet 2 were close up the first beat, on the left side of the course. Despite her size advantage Luca Bassani's Esense rounded the top mark behind Y3K, of German Claus Peter-Offen, which had benefitted from the right up the first beat. They were followed by Magic Carpet and J One. But the shifty wind turned the results on their head during the race handing the race win to Magic Carpet 2, which finished five minutes ahead of J One and Y3K.

The wind dropped after the day's first race, and the committee decided not to run any more races.

More than a hundred boats in the RI, ORC, Classic, Platu 25, Flying Fifteen and J/80 classes will join the competition tomorrow.

Full results here