Two more bullets for Azzurra

Gaastra PalmaVela comes to a close

There was another slow start to the fourth and final day of racing at Gaastra PalmaVela and ultimately the race organisers at the Real Club Nautico de Palma were only able to stage a single race for the big boats on the Bay of Palma.

The winners of Gaastra PalmaVela 2015 are: Open Season (Wally), MOMO (Maxi 72), Azzurra (TP52), Grupo Clínico Dr. Luis Senís (IRC), Airis (ORC 0), Fyord (ORC 1), Pinyol Vermell (ORC 2), La Sirena I (ORC 3), Fehurihi (ORC 4), Bribon Movistar (J/80), Flyinghigh (Flying Fifteen), Lazy Daisy (Dragon), Moonbeam IV (Traditional/Classic), Fundación Damm (2.4), CVP Andratx 2 (Hansa 303 Individual) and RCNP/Fundación Handisport 1 (Hansa 303 Double).

Wally: Big is best

The Wallys went out on the water with three boats drawn fighting for the top of the leaderboard. In the race, Magic Carpet 3 came home ahead of Open Season and Tango G, but after the retirement of Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones' WallyCento from yesterday's race, it was the former Hamilton, now German Thomas Bscher's Open Season that has been extended to 107ft, that ended up on top, just one point ahead of Magic Carpet 3  and two ahead of IMA President Claus-Peter Offen’s Y3K. The surprising closeness of racing in the nine-strong Wally class was emphasised by there only being three points separating the top five.

Maxi 72: Latest hardware

In the former Mini Maxi class, Sir Peter Ogden’s all-black Jethou won the final race, coming home 13 seconds ahead of Alexander Shaerer’s Caol Ila R, but not even a last place finish for German Dieter Schön’s brand new MOMO was enough to topple them from the top spot, to finish a point ahead of Jethou after five races.

TP52: Italy prevails

The TP52 result went to the wire with the Italian-Argentinian crewed Azzurra starting the day level with Quantum Racing, both TP52 heavyweight teams sailing their first regattas on new boats - both Botin & Partners designs. Today Alberto Roemmers’s Azzurra sailed a perfect race, clocking up their third consecutive victory to claim the first TP52 prize of the season. Quantum Racing helmed by the young Dalton DeVos, finished second overall with third going to American Austin Fragomen's Interlodge with Dean Barker helming. 

IRC: Grupo Clínico Dr. Luis Senís

The five boat IRC class competed six races. The Swan 60 Rui Macedo's Petite Flame claimed the last race of the championship, but overall victory went to the GS46 Grupo Clínico Dr. Luis Senís skippered by Axel Rodger, having won four races and allowing them to discard their fourth place today. Second place overall went to Andrés Varela’s X-65 Bultaco with third going to Petite Flame.

ORC: Four races

The somewhat larger ORC classes were divided into five classes having sailed three windward-leewards and one coastal race.

In ORC 0, Cesare Bressan’s TP52 Airis scored their third victory today to finish overall winner. The Italian boats finished four points ahead of the German Swan 45 Elena Nova, and six ahead of the British Swan 42 CS Long Echo.

In ORC 1, José Luis Maldonado’s Fyord gave her rivals little chance. The X-35 from Castellón won all four races to finish four ahead of Airlan Aermec, and five ahead of Zas Sailing.

In ORC 2, it was a great day for Felix Comas’ Sunfast 36 Pinyol Vermell, which won the final race to successfully defend her 2014 title. Second place overall went to the Bavaria 35 Presto, just one point behind, with the Dehler 36 Xalest third.

In ORC 3, the title went to Alejandro Riera’s Revull 75 La Sirena I, which won the last race by 15 seconds Sirpy, the First 31.7 which began the day as leader but finished second overall.

In ORC 4, Carlos Ros’ RO300 Fehurihi, who won all four races.

One designs

Three races were held for the J/80s, Flying Fifteens and Dragons on the last day completing all nine races scheduled for the week.

In the J/80s, Mar de Antonio’s Bribon Movistar extended her advantage at the top of the leaderboard with two firsts and a second, to defend her title with an imposing seven out of nine possible victories. Second place on the podium went to Nautica Watches (2-4-3 today) and third to HM-Hotels (6-2-1).

In the Flying Fifteens, the leader for the last three days prevailed: Patrick Harris’ Flyinghigh finished off a great week with a second and two firsts today, sweeping the title with a six-point advantage over second placed Speedy Gonzales, with Fine Fettle third.

In the class, Robin Hennessy’s Lazy Daisy, winner in 2014, once again dominated with victories in seven of nine races sailed including two out of three today. They were accompanied on the podium by Young Tiger and Dino.

In the Traditional-Classic class, there was a win for Moonbeam IV, skippered by Mikael Creach, a first win for the magnificent  1929 cutter.

Adapted Sailing: Copa de España

The Copa de España for Adapted Sailing finished the week with a full day of competition: three races in the 2.4mR class, two in the Hansa 303 Double and two in the Hansa 303 Individual.

In the 2.4mR, Arturo Montes’ Fundación Damm claimed a magnificent victory as champion (2-1-1) with a four-point advantage over their immediate rivals.

In the Hansa 303 Double class the title went to the tandem Ángel Vega/Mari Carmen García on the RCNP/Fundación Handisport 1 who won both of the two races on the last day, and three out of four overall.

In the Hansa 303 Individual class, there was excitement down to the very last minute. The Copa de España finished with a draw which finally went in favour of Toni Ferra's CVP Andratx 2 ahead of his team mate Violeta del Reino, the winner in 2014.

More images from Ingrid Abery / www.ingridabery.com