QUANTUM RACING ON COURSE TO BE CROWNED? / 52 Super Series

Quantum Racing remain firmly on course to win the Copa del Rey trophy for the first time after a first and a fifth on the penultimate day of racing on the Bay of Palma as the 52 SUPER SERIES fleet enjoyed the best sea breeze conditions of the week so far

In Xaloc thermal winds of 12-17kts and magnificent sunshine the regatta leaders were not quite able to dominate like they had on previous days.

First Rán Racing had pricked the regatta leaders form when they lead until the top of the second beat on the first race before being broken down by Quantum Racing. Then  the next contest Azzurra finally broke the chain of wins of Rán Racing and Quantum Racing when they triumphed in the day’s second race by a comfortable margin.

But Quantum Racing’s fifth win in a row came when they were able to grind leaders Rán Racing down in a short tacking duel towards the top of the second beat on the first race of the day. Up against a Quantum Racing crew of which the majority are America’s Cup winners Niklas Zennström’s crew made a small error as they completed a tack –and had to take a penalty turn which dropped them from first to third.

Rán Racing rallied to finish with in a dead heat with Interlodge for second and third, while Quantum Racing had extended away slightly for their fifth winning gun.

Rán Racing did then extract a measure of revenge at the start of the second race, seizing the opportunity to push the regatta leaders to the right just before the start. This opened the door for Azzurra to execute a perfect start mid-line, lead out to the favoured left and build a very healthy cushion, the 2012 52 SUPER SERIES champions winning their first race this week.

Whilst the blue hulled 52 racing for the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda was able to sail their own race, Rán Racing had to work through the fleet to finish with a third whilst gaining two places on the final ran minimised early race losses sustained by Quantum Racing as they finished with just fourth placed Gladiator between them and their main Copa del Rey title rivals.

With two races scheduled on the final day in what should be more of the same, sea breeze conditions, Quantum Racing have a margin of 5.5 points over Rán Racing.

“ There is a lot to do but the second race just shows anyone can have a weaker race.”

Jules Salter, the Rán Racing navigator asserts.

Rán Racing may have been the top scoring boat of the day, but with a fourth and a second, Manouch Moshayedi’s team on Rio are more settled in fourth, six points behind Azzurra and 6.5pts ahead of Provezza.

32^nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE

Results: 52 Super Series after nine races

1 Quantum Racing, USA, (Doug DeVos) (3,2,2,1,1,1,1,1,5) 17pts

2 Rán Racing, SWE, (Niklas Zennström) (1,1,1,6,3,2,3,2.5,3) 22.5pts

3 Azzurra, ITA, (Alberto Roemmers) (2,4,3,7,2,7,2,5,1) 33pts

4 Rio, USA, (Manouch Moshayedi) (6,3,5,3,6,3,7,4,2) 39pts

5 Provezza, TUR, (Ergin Imre) (4,7.5,4,4,5,4,4,7,6) 45.5pts

6 Interlodge, USA, (Austin Fragomen) (5,7.5,6.5,5,4,6,5,2.5,7) 48.5pts

7 Gladiator, GBR, (Tony Langley) (7,5,8,2,9,5,8,6,4) 54pts

8 Paprec, FRA, (Jean Luc Petithugenin) (9,6,6.5,8,8,8,6,8,8) 67.5pts

9 Aquila, AUT, (Aquila Sailing Team) (8,9,9,9,7,9,9,9,9) 78pts

32nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE – Gaastra IRC 52 Class

After 9 races with 1 discard
1 Quantum Racing, (3,2,2,1,1,1,1,1,5) 12pts

2 Rán Racing,(1,1,1,5.5,3,2,3,2,2) 15pts

3 Azzurra, (2,4,3,7,2,7,2,5,1) 26pts

4 Rio, (6,3,5,3,7,3,7,4,3) 34pts

5 Interlodge, (4,8,6.5,5.5,4,6,5,3,6) 40pts

6 Provezza, (5,9,4.4,5,4,4,8,7) 41pts

7 Gladiator, (8,5,8,2,9,5,8,6,4) 47pts

8 Paprec,(9,6,6.5,9,8,8,6,9,8) 60.5pts

9 Aquila, (7,7,9,8,6,9,9,7,9) 62pts