Quantum Racing step clear despite Rán Racing run of wins | 52 Super Series

With a victory in the third and final race of the day for the 52 SUPER SERIES at the 32^nd Copa del Rey on the Bay of Palma when Rán Racing’s unbeaten sequence was halted by a sixth place, Quantum Racing seize the overall regatta lead by a single point.

Niklas Zennström’s team had already completed one very impressive recovery – getting back from an OCS at the start of the second race to win in its last 100 metres after rounding the first top mark ninth and hold on to their winning sequence. But they were unable to climb through the fleet as efficiently in the subsequent contest and so the American flagged team, which has already won overall in Barcelona and Ibiza, now top the Palma regatta leaderboard.

It was a very long, hot day on the water as the race officers brought the regatta back to schedule by setting three races to take advantage of the return to Palma’s usual sea breeze conditions.

While the SSW’ly held out long enough there were sufficient shifts and changes in pressure to ensure that the track was far from the ‘one way’ route that this popular venue has a reputation for, and there were ample opportunities to exploit a differing range of tactics.

Quantum Racing’s 2,2,1 was the strongest aggregate for the day, but after seeing Rán Racing’s first two wins today, the 52 SUPER SERIES leaders might have considered the gods were minded to side with the World Champions, not least when Zennström’s team rallied from ninth at the first top mark of the second race today, to pass the leeward gate second hard, on the heels of Azzurra, before going on to win at the death.

By comparison Rán Racing’s first win today was relatively conventional, leading off the start line to be able to keep Rio and Rán Racing in check all the way around the course. Azzurra fought back from being OCS to finish fourth while Quantum Racing just eased past Manouch Moshayedi’s Rio on the second beat for second.

Azzurra lead the second race but dropped to third as they engaged with Quantum Racing on the last run and left the door ajar for Rán Racing to squeeze in for their second win of the day.

Quantum Racing stuck with their convictions to the left of the first beat in the final race today and were rewarded with a handy lead ahead of Tony Langley’s Gladiator, while Rio picked up their second third place of the day to lie fourth, just one point behind Azzurra, the defending 2012 52 SUPER SERIES champions.

Results: 52 Super Series
1 Quantum Racing, USA, (Doug DeVos) (3,2,2,1) 8pts
2 Rán Racing, SWE, (Niklas Zennström) (1,1,1,6) 9pts
3 Azzurra, ITA, (Alberto Roemmers) (2,4,3,7) 16pts
4 Rio, USA, (Manouch Moshayedi) (6,3,5,3) 17pts
5 Provezza, TUR, (Ergin Imre) (4,7.5,4,4) 19.5pts
6 Gladiator, GBR, (Tony Langley) (7,5,8,2) 22pts
7 Interlodge, USA, (Austin Fraogmen) (5,7.5,6,5) 23.5pts
8 Paprec, FRA, (Jean Luc Petithugenin) (9,6,7,8) 30pts
9 Aquila, AUT, (Aquila Sailing Team) (8,9,9,9) 35pts

32nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE – Gaastra IRC 52 Class
1 Quantum Racing (3,2,2,1) 8pts
2 Rán Racing, (1,1,1,5.5) 8.5pts
3 Azzurra, (2,4,3,7) 16pts
4 Rio, (6,3,5,3) 17pts
5 Provezza, (5,9,4.4) 22pts
6 Gladiator, (8,5,8,2) 23pts
7 Interlodge, (4,8,6.5,5.5) 24pts
8 Paprec, (9,6,6.5,9) 30.5pts
9 Aquila, (7,7,9,8) 31pts