World Sailing Management (WSM), organizers of the MedCup sailing circuit, the official international competition of the TP52 and Soto 40 classes, regrets to announce to all those involved and interested in this prestigious circuit, that it has decided to suspend the 2012 season.

This difficult business decision was taken for the following reasons, all of them related to the economic and financial crisis affecting the whole world and Europe in particular:

1. Serious uncertainty regarding the number of boats, mainly in the 52 Series (TP 52 class), willing to commit to compete in all of the events comprising the circuit with the risk of an insufficient number of competitors to ensure the competitive level reached by the circuit in previous seasons.
2. The lack of financial resources available to local authorities in their bid to become potential venues for the events of the circuit, which limited the ability to address their usual obligations and maintain the circuit’s level of quality.
3. Together with the abovementioned factors, a decrease in the support needed from AUDI AG, which has been the circuit’s title sponsor, has led WSM to terminate, early and peacefully, the sponsorship deal linking both companies.

In brief, WSM believes that it is more rational to suspend the Circuit than let it continue with falling standards.

Nevertheless, WSM will continue to work during 2012 in order to overcome these difficulties, confident that it will be able once again to provide the sailing world with the spectacle that the MedCup Circuit has always been.

Madrid, December 6, 2011

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Adopted successfully for the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit, the Soto 40 class was introduced to Europe for this season and is promised a strong future on the 2012 Audi MedCup Circuit considering the number of new boat sales which have been confirmed for the coming season. Hull number 33 is presently being completed with boats now racing country’s such as Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Japan, the USA, Spain and England among the complement of 11 different nations.

“This significant recognition by ISAF is a considerable endorsement of the rapid growth and internationality of the Soto 40. It underlines that our decision taken by the Audi MedCup Circuit that the class is the right one. For a class which had its roots as a local one design in South America we see a very bright future for the class in Europe and worldwide.” Said Nacho Postigo (ESP) technical director of the Audi MedCup Circuit.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

After three years campaigning around the Northern European waters of the English Channel with hisCorby 33 Banshee, Adams and his team are set to make the step up to Audi MedCup Circuit under young Kiwi skipper Piers Tyler, 23.

© Horatio Franco/Audi MedCup

Adams was one of the first potential owners to sail on this season’s Circuit, enjoying one of the best seats in the house aboard Patagonia in Cascais in May. Now he plans to train with his crew on their native Solent prior to next season.

“The attraction of the Soto 40 is that it is such an exciting one design offering really close racing. The attraction of the Audi MedCup Circuit is that it is such a well run Circuit. It is fantastic and we can’t wait to take part.” Commented Adams in Barcelona.

“I have been sailing in the Solent in IRC boats, crewing first and then I have owned a Corby 33 Banshee for three years. We have raced there and in Northern France, Cork and beyond.” He continues, “It is a big step up for us, but the whole of our crew want to do it and they have such enthusiasm to come and do some serious racing at a very serious competition and so come and see how good we really are.”

“I have always aspired to reach this level. In Cascais we saw the standard was pretty high and the conditions there were really quite extreme for the size of boats, but here in Barcelona it has been very different, much more fascinating with the wind shifting all the time.”

“We hope to get the boat before the end of the year into Valencia. We might do some training there first but I think we will bring the boat to the Solent to start with and find our feet there. The plan is to do the Spring Series there. It is obvious that more time you spend on the boat in a race environment is much more beneficial.”

Piers Tyler is a young Kiwi graduate of the New Zealand Youth programme who has raced and skippered in the Caribbean and Europe since leaving New Zealand at 18:

“ My dad pushed me off the beach at the age of four off Narrow Neck, Auckland and I have been sailing ever since. I sailed from New Zealand through the New Zealand Youth Scheme moving to Europe at 18, 23. I skippered in the Caribbean at 21 and done a lot of offshore racing and inshore.. Peers include Adam Minoprio who is helm on Camper, Phil Robertson is doing the World Match Racing tour. But the core crew is English and all come from a dinghy background, but we race all around the English Channel to Ireland and Northern France. I am impressed and looking forward to the challenge. I think the crew is ready for it but we will learn a lot of lessons at the first event!” says Tyler.

The Solent based British tactician of Ngoni which finished third overall on the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuitand won the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy in August, Kevin Sproul has promised to help the emerging English team:

“ It is great news that there will be another English boat for next year and especially that they will bring the boat to England to race on the Solent before the season starts. We have offered our help as much as we can to help the guys get up to speed as quick as possible. One of the beauties of the Soto 40 is that as a one design it is relatively easy to get to a decent base line in terms of boat speeds and crew skills to be competitive. And it has been a lot of fun this season.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The 2,800 square-metre area in the brand new Cúpula Las Arenas, in the former bull fighting arena, was the scenario for The Next Level, the prize giving ceremony and end of season party for the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit.

Some 700 guests gathered, including owners like José Cusí, Pedro Mendonça, Niklas Zennstrom orAlberto Roemmers with sailors like Ed Baird, Jochen Schumann, Tomaso Chieffi or Markus Wieser, as well as personalities like Russian fashion designer Konstantin Gayday or key institutional and media representatives, all not wishing to miss out on the special occasion. Mayte Fandos, Deputy Mayor for Life Quality, Equality and Sport for the Barcelona City Hall, Lothar Korn, Marketing Director of Audi Group and Manuel Caballero, President of Audi Spain handed the prizes to the winners under the ceremonial guidance of the former South African model and German TV presenter Jo Ann Strauss.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

© Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The night started with a champagne dinner cocktail, accompanied by La Vella Dixieland´s live music band and then continued with stunning acrobatic performances and the hugely popular band, The Tall Tutsies, front lined by Luis Doreste, the Spanish Olympian sailor and skipper of www.visitmalta.com.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, 12 09 2011 © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Barcelona – Day 5 – Highlights

[ON WORK - WILL BE UPDATED ASAP]
(total 00:00min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

Barcelona – Day 4 – Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pm1nK8D9Yxg

(total 11:17min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

Barcelona – Day 3 – Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxS8gWQElj4

(total 11:36min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

Barcelona – Day 2 – Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMqEciyqCOY

(total 11:08min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

Barcelona – Day 1 – Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plFNwQWA5rs

(total 12:29min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

Audi MedCup 2011 Circuit Promo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KEoM9e72qk

(total 12:29min | streamed by audimedcup channel)

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

Having ended the challenge from Spanish icons Bribon the previous day, and so relieving themselves of a pressure build that had haunted them since their middle of the season fifth place finish in Sardinia, the

© Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Quantum Racing Team which is skippered by America’s Cup winner Ed Baird (USA) clinched the title with a showcase race victory.

Although Quantum Racing had lead since the fifth day of this five month, five regattas 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit season, the 2008 title winners arrived for the showdown Conde de Godo-City of Barcelona Trophy with a Circuit shrunk to only 3.5 points.

After a thrilling final two days of an incredible season Quantum Racing won their second Audi MedCup title by an overall margin of 15 points, ahead of Jose Cusi’s Bribon, Italy’s Audi Azzurra Sailing team take third.

The dream finish for the Bribon campaigns which have spanned 38 years were ultimately denied byQuantum Racing and also by RAN. The Swedish flagged boat owned and steered by Niklas Zennstrom, won the Conde de Godo Barcelona Trophy, despatching Bribon to second step on the regatta podium.

But there was an emotional farewell from the Audi MedCup Circuit sailors for the Bribon team delivered only metres from Cusi’s home club, the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Owner Cusi said,
“We’ve given Spain many wins during this 38 years, and that’s a reason to be happy. The boat retires but I don’t, I’ll keep racing on more simple boats. As we crossed the finish line I got a phone call from the king to congratulate us for our second place in a Circuit of such high level and in Barcelona.”

Quantum Racing started with victory in the opening regatta of the season in Cascais, finished second in Marseille, fifth in Cagliari and third in Cartagena. Quantum Racing’s project manager Ed Reynolds, also co-architect of their 2008 title win, smiled on the dockside today:

“Of all the MedCups this is the one I am most thrilled about. When they had to step up, they did. We feel like we have been defending the whole season, like we had a target on our backs since we won in Cascais at the beginning of the season. We were defending before we were ready to. I just hate to lose, and so I have such a sense of relief but it is so great to be part of a team like this. In competitive sport when everything is on the line to be a part of something which stands up and takes control that was the best part of the whole year.”

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The inaugural Audi MedCup Circuit 40 Series title was Iberdrola Team’s with a day to spare, but the Spanish team which is skippered by Jose Maria Torcida, also won their fourth Trophy of the season with another pair of race wins today.

If the Valencia based title winners proved a class apart in the early season, there has been clear indications not only of a very rosy future for this exciting 40 foot high performance one design with a big number of potential owners sailing on board as guests in Barcelona, but also that the level of competition has evened.

Inaki Castaner’s Noticias IV took second place on the 40 Series Circuit with Tony Buckingham’s Ngonifinishing their season third overall after winning in Cartagena last month.

© Horatio Franco/Audi MedCup

Quotes of the day

What the sailors said on the dock side.

Adrian Stead (GBR), tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):

“It is awesome. It has been good, we have really stepped up at this regatta. To come here and finish it off has been great. It is one of the most hard fought titles there is, it is a long season and here you are sailing against some of the best sailors in the world. The boats are constantly changing. Everyone is always trying to get better and better and you are always thinking about how you outsmart everyone. It is a long season. You have to be on your game at every regatta.
It is absolutely brilliant now, though. We had some really tough times. In Palma pre season we broke the mast step of the boat we had to retire from that Palma Vela pre season regatta, regroup and rebuild the mast step. When everyone came to Cagliari they were pretty strong. I missed a couple of things there tactically and then we broke the backstay. But you just have to keep chipping away. I am sure that every boat here can now look back at their Audi MedCup season and see where they could have saved 10, 15 or 20 points. I look at Bribon in Cascais: they blew up their A4 kite, they were OCS by the skin of their teeth in one race going, and they had a red flag. The points situation has been interesting because Audi Azzurra, Container and us have been kind of see-sawing and Bribon were able to play through. They were always the boat we were happy to put between us and Container or Audi Azzurra and we get here and they were breathing down our necks.”

Ed Reynolds, (USA) project manager, Quantum Racing (USA):

“Of all the MedCups this is the one I am most thrilled about. When they had to step up, they did. We feel like we have been defending the whole season, like we had a target on our backs since we won in Cascais at the beginning of the season. We were defending before we were ready to. I just hate to lose, and so I have such a sense of relief but it is so great to be part of a team like this. In competitive sport when everything is on the line to be a part of something which stands up and takes control that is the best part of the whole year.”

José Cusí (ESP), owner-skipper, Bribón (ESP):

“Quantum won the first race and was last in the second. Coming back in to port it was fantastic, I’m really thankful that everybody congratulated us and supported us constantly. This is Bribón’s last race, I’m moved but very happy at the same time,  we’ve given Spain many wins during this 38 years, and that’s a reason to be happy. The boat retires but I don’t, I’ll keep racing on more simple boats. As we crossed the finish line I got a phone call from the king to congratulate us for our second place in a Circuit of such high level and in Barcelona. I’m very happy because the crew has offered me the boat’s flag, the one we carry on the stern and all in our hearts, and they’re going to sign it. We’ve proudly sailed with it all over the world“.

Ignacio Triay (ESP), trimmer, Bribón (ESP):

“It´s really hard to explain. After 18 years, I remember when I began here in February 1994, just over there. It´s hard to say with words how I feel today being the last day. I think that it will take me a while to realize what we´ve done this season and this year, which has been incredible. The support by the media and our rivals has been really emotional for us. I want to congratulate those who won because Quantum deserve to win the championship and RÁN has done a great event here in Barcelona. We were sixth after the second event of the circuit and we´ve end up second. It´s gift for our owner and for His Majesty”.

José María Torcida (ESP), skipper-helm, Iberdrola Team (ESP):

“It´s the end of the season, we saw that all the preparation work that we did paid off, especially with the sails, it was key for this final win. We were really focused from day one, we started doing a good job and managed to save our lead. We knew this was important because the rest of the teams would improve as the season progressed. Things have been a lot tighter in the fleet at the end. We are happy with our success and the teamwork that we´ve done, it set the basis for what came after. Great crew work, everyone has done their own job having a good time. The future is bright for this boat, it´s easy to sail and trim, and it´s very well built. It makes the competition interesting, we´ve seen this here. At the end the competition has been a lot harder. I think that a 10-12 boat fleet will be espectacular. Once we won the Circuit yesterday we wanted to win here, because we had not won in a Spanish venue yet. It was the perfect way to say goodbye and it became our goal. We kept an eye on both Iberostar and Ngoni, and things worked out the way wanted.”

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Ibedrola Sailing Team (ESP):

“We are really happy about winning the Audi MedCup Circuit, because it was not easy. At the end, all the team work and our preparation since Christmas have paid off. We´ve worked a lot. In terms of logistics, having the best sails, and in terms of the team, creating a great crew, we´ve done great, these issues have been key in order for us to win this. This should help us for the future, this is a team that deserves continuity. We all know that it´s all about the sponsors and I think that Iberdrola is probably happy, because we´ve been very professional. The fleet has grown with the months, improving a lot. It has a lot of future. Things have changed a lot since Cascais. 2012 will be tough, I´m sure. Now the goal is to win this trophy because we are only two points ahead of the second team. It´s quite important for us to win here, we´ll fight hard for it.”

Niklas Zennstrom (SWE), Skipper, RÁN (SWE):

“It´s been a good day, with really stressful racing. Quantum had a top start in the first race, leaving us behind, and Bribón managed to take a point from us.  The second race was tough, Bribón also got in front of us at one point, but overall we went back to sailing the way we´ve done all week, relaxed and having a good time.  We are really pleased to win the last Audi Med Cup event because it has shown us and everyone that we have been getting better through the season. I also want to congratulate Quantum Racing because they did a very good job”.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Having whittled their circuit title deficit on the long time leaders all the way back to to seven points, Bribon (ESP) were victims of a neatly executed game plan from the get-go. Quantum Racing (USA) not only regained the upper hand in the championship title duel but also went on to deliver a morale boosting race win to boot.

And while Quantum Racing’s day was one of their best, Bribon lost places in a tight finish to cross sixth in the first race, then sailed to a fourth. That made it their worst pair of scores since July’s first day of the Region of Sardinia Trophy in Cagliari.

In contrast Quantum Racing, which is skippered by America’s Cup winner Ed Baird, RAN (SWE) backed up their bullet with a good second place behind in the subsequent race. That ensures Quantum Racing’s target for the final day of the season is a very modest one.

With a worst case score of 16 points on the table – assuming they start both races – Quantum Racinghave a cushion of 14 points.

So the title champagne may be iced for the American flagged and supported programme which won theAudi MedCup Circuit in 2008, but so too the real celebratons are on hold in the Soto 40 fleet.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Iberdrola Team know they cannot be beaten for the inaugural 40 Series title after the first of three races today, but the Spanish crew – who have had their boat longest, are dead set on making sure they win the final regatta too. They lead the Barcelona regatta by two points and want to be sure they would have won regattas in all four countries that the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit has visited this season.

Quantum Racing not only secured themselves a grip of their second Audi MedCup title, but their 1-2 today also takes them to third place on the regatta standings for this Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Trophy within four points of leaders RAN and scond placed Bribon.

Niklas Zennstrom’s RAN team bounced back from an eighth in the first race to win the second contest today, so returning to the regatta lead on countback ahead of Bribon.

But the highlight of the day was the text book assault by the American flagged team in delivering their Race 6 win….‘the best we have sailed as a team this season’ Kevin Hall (USA) navigator on Quantum Racing said immediately after finishing.

In 9-11 kts of sea breeze Quantum Racing took the challenge to Bribon on the start line and came away from the gun leading the Spanish crew out to the right of the course. Quantum Racing were then able to carry Bribon out past the starboard tack layline in a crucial move

Audi ALL4ONE lead around the windward mark ahead of Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, but the Italian crew were judged to have fouled Synergy on the approach to the windward mark and had to take a penalty turn, costing them. But the end of the final run was painful for Bribon, losing both Synergy andAudi ALL4ONE on the finish line.

© Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

In the second race RAN started close to the pin end of the start line and were able to lift away from their rivals earning the extra pressure on that side of that left side of the course.

With the Garbi sea breeze today just over 10 knots, just above the crossover between Bribon’s favoured light airs and into Quantum Racing’s comfort zone, Quantum Racing were able to sail more of their own race, chasing RAN across the finish.

The Soto 40’s had three races. Iberdrola took second in the first race behind Iberostar as the green team clinched the season championship. In the second race the champions elect returned to the front of the fleet with a win. But in the third race – which was won conclusively by Ngoni – Iberdrola were on the wrong side of the first beat but recovered to fifth which means they go into the final day of this regatta with a two points lead over Javier Banderas’ Iberostar crew which includes Spain’s double Olympic gold medallist Luis Doreste as tactician.

What the sailors said on the dock side.

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):

“We had good steady conditions today and we felt pretty strong today about coming in in a good place. We had two good races, we sailed well right from the start and put the question mark on somebody else. In the first run of the first race we managed to get away from Bribón a little, and at the end that help us to get a couple of points from them. In the second race we caught pretty strong waves but managed to get through and lead the bunch around the top mark, so we wanted to stay in that condition and we did. It´s been a very solid day which puts us at the top of the standings for the Audi MedCup. Right now there are 14 points between us and them with a maximum of 16 points on the table, so we are in reasonable shape. We are going to go out there tomorrow with the goal of winning the regatta closer. We need to stay focused, be smart and sail the same way that we did today”.

Kevin Hall (USA), Navigator, Quantum Racing (USA):

“The first race was the best race that we´ve done so far this season. We were worried about pressure in the beat but we were strong, especially with ALL4ONE. We had to fight our way through to take the lead and keep it.  It´s been a positive day that puts us in a good place. We were happy after the first race, but we still knew that we had a long way to go. We came out with a goal: to sail focused in our boat. We thought that if we did that and Bribón won both races, then so be it, and the result´s been really positive”.

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Ibedrola Sailing Team (ESP):

“We are really happy about winning the Audi MedCup Circuit, because it was not easy. At the end, all the team work and our preparation since Christmas have paid off. We´ve worked a lot. In terms of logistics, having the best sails, and in terms of the team, creating a great crew, we´ve done great, these issues have been key in order for us to win this. This should help us for the future, this is a team that deserves continuity. We all know that it´s all about the sponsors and I think that Iberdrola is probably happy, because we´ve been very professional. The fleet has grown with the months, improving a lot. It has a lot of future. Things have changed a lot since Cascais. 2012 will be tough, I´m sure. Now the goal is to win this trophy because we are only two points ahead of the second team. It´s quite important for us to win here, we´ll fight hard for it.

Gonzalo Araújo (ESP), skipper-helm, Bribón (ESP):

“It has been a tough day, we knew it would not be easy. When we entered in the fight, other’s boats strategy between us has changed. The true is that we have fought as we could. At both races Quantum has reached a favourable position at the start and that has determined a little the races. They have complicated our life with a serie of tacks. This has been the general trend. During the second race we had a problem in the windward buoy and that cost a couple of points, but it is normal to compete in a pointing fight like this one. In the end, we should try to win the regattas we have left. In the last race we will see the considerations we need, control and attack considerations, depending on the way things are”.

Morgan Larson (USA), Tactician, RÁN (SWE):

“The day unfolded the way that we all thought, with moderate wind and pretty flat seas. There were a lot of races in one race. Quantum was keeping its eyes on Bribón and as well Azzurra, for the overall. We were just thinking about sailing the regatta and hopefully beating Bribón. We had a bit of an unfortunate start in the first, we battled back, but Bribón did a good job of pushing us back. We recovered nicely and did a good job, we were close to Gladiator and Container, we lost one point. With five points down with Bribón into the second race we knew that Quantum was going to help us with them. Niklas had a great start and we were able to preserve our lead for the fleet. Bribón had a lot more trouble than us. For the last day Quantum is close to locking the overall regatta and Bribón has a chance to fight for that and this trophy. It´ll have to do a lot with how many races take place. Like I said there are going to be a lot of races within the same one. After a great 38 year career, Bribón is going to have to earn it to win here at their hometown”.

Ross MacDonald (ESP), Tactician, Bribón (ESP):

“You want to do the best you can on a day like today but there are so many things that have to be done in order for us to get the first place… We got to think about what we´ve done so far and where we are now. All things considered it was actually not a bad day for us, could´ve been a lot worse. It´s great that RÁN´s doing well, we´d like to sail like that too. We´ll have to see how tomorrow goes and try to win this thing. It´s going to be tough for us to win the overall with this point difference right now. All they need is to have one boat in between of them in tomorrow´s races, so it´s going to be a tall order for us. We´ll do our best and we´ll see how it goes. We are excited about finishing up in a high note and as best we can. I´m happy that Bribón´s days are ending with things the way they are.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Long time Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA) slid to a second successive seventh place in the eight boat fleet which is competing for the Conde de Godo City of Barcelona Trophy.

After finishing third in Cagliari, winning in Cartagena and now seizing the regatta today lead in Barcelona with their come-from-behind second place, their incredible momentum  might almost even suggest a date with destiny come Saturday’s gala prizegiving as the perfect full stop to the 40 year history of the famous team.

But in fact the title race is still a four cornered fight.
Germany’s Container scored their first race win since July to keep the Markus Wieser skippered crew in the title challenge.
Less than 13 points separate Quantum Racing from fourth placed Audi Azzurra (ITA) with up to four races of the season left. The American flagged team, which won the overall title in 2008, lead Spain’sBribon by just seven points.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

While Container started best today and were able to use the added wind pressure to the left side of the course, it was Tony Langley’s Gladiator (GBR)which lead around the windward mark. Container took the lead on the first run as they read the fluky wind pressure better and Gladiator chose to gybe set to the left of the run
Bribon had come off the start line second best after the challenge for the pin end of the line and found themselves with a struggle on their hands.
But their excellent boat speed in the light, 6-8kts breeze, was the key to their climb through the fleet from sixth at the first turn, going on to chase Container across the finish.

Of concern to the Quantum Racing crew will, again, be the way in which they slipped from an early third after a strong opening beat, to cross seventh.

The rise of the 52 Series fleet’s oldest design, Bribon, over the second half of this season has been pronounced.
They stood sixth on the Circuit standings after each of the first two events, fifth after Cagliari, fourth after their win in Cartagena and now they lie second on the season standings after having made up 31.5 points on Quantum Racing over the last 18 races.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Bribon’s trimmer and project manager Ignacio Triay (ESP) came ashore saying that with two days to go the season title race starts again here:

“ It feels like the season starts here, it starts today. Everything could happen in the next two days, everything!” said Triay,
“ I tell you I would never have expected this. We were pretty convinced that the podium of the Audi MedCup would be a fight between Quantum, Audi Azzurra and Container and we were pretty convinced that the fight for fourth place would be between us, RAN and Synergy.”

“ In Cartagena we had the feeling that, hey,  maybe we should go for more. Suddenly we found ourselves closing to the podium, so we said maybe we should try. Here has happened three things: today or tomorrow the conditions could change but so far the conditions for Bribon have been not bad. We did a more constant three days and our most direct opponents are doing worse than any other event before, so all together I was looking at the numbers and probably after two days in Cascais it was closer than it is now. It is not going to be for anyone with a weak heart. Anything can happen?
Quantum is still far ahead, we have Azzurra and Container very close to us.”

The 52 Series are scheduled to sail four more windward leeward races, effectively losing their coastal race since only one race could be completed today.

In the 40 Series race it was Iberostar which scored their first win as a team in this fleet, holding off Tony Buckingham’s Cartagena winners Ngoni. The British crew held their nerve and concentration in the final stages of the last run to secure second only just ahead of Iberdrola Team.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

For the event leaders RAN that was a win in the first race, followed by a good second place to increase their lead over Bribon by one point today, while for Bribon a third was followed up by their second race win on owner Jose Cusi’s native waters at this iconic team’s swansong regatta.

© Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

© Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

A seventh in the second race of the day hurt circuit leaders Quantum Racing’s chances at this regatta, but the American flagged team still remain on track for the season’s title with a 12 points margin.

However the remarkable rise of the Spanish flagged Bribon crew means that since the start of the Region of Sardinia in Cagliari in July they have gained 24.5 points on the Circuit leaders. 

Bribon have elevated themselves to third overall for the season and this evening stand only half a point behind Italy’s second placed Audi Azzurra Sailing Team.

And as the challenge for the 2011 52 Series title unfolds Bribon’s late season charge means they are now only 12 points off the circuit lead with three days left of the season, and up to five scheduled races including Friday’s high scoring coastal race before the titles are due to be presented at Saturday evening’s gala prize-giving.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

In the Soto 40 class Iberdrola Sailing Team were on imperious form over their first two races of the regatta, winning twice by relatively comfortable margins.

RÁN built their first race victory from a beautifully executed start at the committee boat end of the start line, crossing on port to lead out to the right side of the course and earn the best of the advantage on the right. RÁN, Quantum and Synergy then led the charge to the right, and at the windward mark, Zennstrom’s crew had the lead.

In the second race it was Bribon which emerged from a tightly compacted pin end start earning the left side of the course. But it was this group from the left side of the start which did best.

While Bribon and RÁN were well set for the race with decent margins at  the head of the fleet at the first turn, as the breeze faltered and swung left on the next round Synergy Sailing Team stole themselves a good third place, while Quantum Racing dropped from the fourth place they held at the first mark, losing two boats close to the finish to finish seventh.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

In the first race for the 40 Series Iberdrola started well at the starboard end, and also were first to profit on the favoured, right inshore side establishing an early lead which was never challenged. Javier Banderas’ Iberostar, newcomers to the fleet sailing Noticias IV took second.

In the 40 Series fleet which raced for the first time at this regatta it was Jose Maria Torcida and crew on Iberdrola which re-confirmed their supremacy in the class when they sailed to comfortable back-to-back wins, showing good speed in the 7-12 knots of sea breeze to build on their substantial Circuit lead.

Iberdrola maintained her pacemaker’s position again in the second race whilst the rest of the fleet had a good race. Ngoni had better race third behind www.cruiser-racer.com. Iberostar tool four. All the boats headed left on each leg, but the wind certainly decreased as the race went on. The second Soto 40 race started in 10 knots and finished in 6-7 knots.

© Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

What the sailors said on the dockside.

Ed Baird (USA), Skipper, Quantum Racing (USA):

“Clearly we are very happy with our result here today. The first race I had a bad start and had to tack away really hard and we were tacked on by Azzurra. We worked really hard to get back in the race and the guys did a great job with that. In the second race we has a better start and had the chance to return the favor to them, we led around the first mark and had a tough call in the second windward leg with teams on both sides of the race course. The one on the left got us, it was RÁN, they were sailing well, going really fast. We are keeping an eye on the four boats that are in the fight, doing what we can and getting the best results that we can.”

Niklas Zennstrom (SWE), Skipper, RÁN (SWE):

“These conditions are very good for us because the boat was going really well, we also sailed very well. We had two very good starts, had a lot of confidence in the boat and that way we  managed to do things the way we wanted. I also think that we came ihere with a different mindset that we did before, in the Mini Maxi championships we were really happy with how we performed and that boosted our confidence. This is the last event and our crew is going to fight to improve and try to have a good time racing. I also think that we were not so stressed coming into this event and that´s important”.

Tim Powell (GBR) mainsheet, RÁN (SWE):

“The conditions obviously suited us, I think we sailed very well. We had good starts and the boat was going well both upwind and downwind and tactically we were good. We just had a very solid day.

You don’t know one way or another if Morgan makes a key difference, but ultimately for us what is important for RAN is to finish off the season on a high note. Roll on tomorrow and we will see can keep it up. “

Morgan Larson (USA), tactician, RÁN (GBR):

“It is nice to be back in the fleet for sure. It was a boat speed day and there were some subtle shifts but we had good speed upwind and downwind. It is like a class reunion to be here again. I have missed it for sure being away sailing other boats. I would say today for me was about not screwing up the good performance of the trimmers, so that would have been easy to do because there were some potholes out there for sure. I like the conditions here, but you could easily go out and have two fifths or two sevenths. I have not been here since the 1992 Olympics when I was training partner with JJ Isler.”

Jochen Schümann (GER) skipper-helm, Audi Sailing Team powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER):

“This was very close racing again today with the entire fleet, but not a happy end for us. We stayed third quite a while in both races but missjugded the windward mark two times. On the last beat we were on the lay line at an early stage but it was shifty. At the end we hoped for a little right shift that happed before but didn’t when we needed it. We had the option for two more tacks or to squeeze in. The latter one worked out although we slowed down a lot. We didn’t touch the mark with the hull but the top 3-4 cm of the buoy with our main sheet. After a 360 you’re trailing the fleet.

The torn gennaker didn’t hurt us too much. We managed a smart inner peel and the new one is also a A1.5. But we really don’t know why we always have bad luck with the gennakers. This time there was just a little loop in the drop line that tied the sail together and occured the triangle hole.“

Matti Paschen (GER), trimmer, CONTAINER (GER):

“We are not happy at all with this outcome of the day. We knew we are weak in light air with little chop, but we started very well two times and could hold our lanes. But we miss just a tiny little bit of upwind boat speed. And falling 1.5 to 2 boat length back means being not in front at the top mark. It is a matter of our set-up. RAN is 100 % our sister ship, build in the same mold. And they are doing very well here. We need to keep on fighting and work on the fine-tuning.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

The Garbi sea breeze is expected to prevail at least over the first few days of this key regatta, dropping in intensity as the event progresses.

© Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

With a N’ly Mistral blowing in the Gulf of Lyons to the east a large circulation is set up in this part of the western Med which enhances this southerly sea breeze.
It has been a slightly overcast morning though the prospects for breeze are good, expecting up to 18 or 19kts with choppy, steep seas.
The 52 Series fleet will do their two practice starts before rolling into the official practice race.

For Bribon this will be an emotional week on their home city, but project manager Ignasi Triay says the crew are not speaking about this being their swansong:

“This 2011´s last event and the truth is that we´ve improved every day until now. We are in Barcelona, our hometown, and a lot of noise has been made about the fact that this is Bribón´s last event. It seems that it´s something that´s affecting a lot of people who are around the event, but it doesn´t affect our crew. We hear a lot about it but we don´t look at it the way this that people does. We are focused in this event because we are in a good place in the general standings, with good possibilities to do something big, even reaching the podium. We are thinking about doing a good job here these days, we´ll have enough time to think about this being our last event on Saturday evening. We have to stick to our plan, to be consistent and not make too many mistakes.”

Kevin Hall (USA), Navigator, Quantum Racing (USA):

We are looking forward to competing here in Barcelona this week, there are great teams here and the competition has come down to the last event and that´s pretty exciting for all of us, our strategy is to sail well, and you could argue that if we sail this regatta to win it with good solid finishes that should do it for the season as well, but there are a couple other teams who are probably thinking the same thing, so it will be exciting. We don´t talk about points, it´s such a small advantage that we don´t even count on them to help us right now”.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

Meantime the multiple match race world champion Baird will be keeping combative, close quarters boat against boat skills on ice, perhaps reserved for later in the week.

© Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup

As the world’s leading regatta circuit reaches its climax the lead of Quantum Racing (USA) is a mere 3.5pts over Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA)
But with only 18 points separating the top four teams - Quantum Racing, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, Container and Bribon – on the overall standings, the reality is that any one of these four teams harbour realistic hopes of winning the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit title.

“ It is exciting that it has come down to the last event this year.” Quantum Racing’s skipper-helm Baird says on the eve of Monday’s Conde de Godó – Barcelona Trophy’s TP52 Practice Race.
“ We don´t look at our positions as though we have a lead. It’s virtually tied. Any race can erase that coupla points that we have. We just need to go out and have a good regatta, and to keep an eye on what´s been happening later on in the week and then see what we have to do from there.”

In fact the pre-regatta strategy of Quantum Racing differs little from those of their main rivals, but as sure as the final races of the season roll in, so the screw will tighten and winning those private duels and matches becomes vital.
Second placed Audi Azzurra Sailing Team are not light on match racing talent. Tactician Francesco Bruni (ITA) until recently topped this season’s World Match Racing rankings and has two America’s Cup campaigns to his credit.

“We know well that this week can´t be a match race between us and Quantum Racing, because there are some other teams like Container or Bribón who are still close, they are all within 15 points of us. If you have two bad races, they´ll be ahead of you, and I´m sure Quantum´s thinking like this as well.” Brunicontends today.

Beyond match racing, Container’s skipper-helm Markus Wieser (GER) and trimmer Matti Paschen (GER) arrived in Barcelona buoyed by just having won the Dragon Gold Cup for the first time, whilstBribon (ESP) prepare for their swansong regatta on owner’s Jose Cusi’s home waters unbeaten for the last two regattas, winners of the Copa del Rey and last month’s Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy Regatta.

© Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup

Those top teams field largely unchanged crew line ups but, in their bid to make their final regatta of the season their best, others have changed key roles.
Synergy Russian Sailing Team’s management have brought 1988 Olympic gold medallist Thierry Peponnet (FRA) out of the coach boat in to the role of tactician to work with new navigator Johan Barne (SWE).
Barne was America’s Cup navigator with Victory Challenge, but is an accomplished match race crew as well as a Soling Olympic crew who finished fifth in 1992 on these same waters.
On Niklas Zennstrom’s Ran (GBR/SWE), Morgan Larson (USA) steps on board as tactician replacingGavin Brady (NZL).
Tony Langley’s British flagged Gladiator return to the Audi MedCup Circuit with Tomasso Chieffi (ITA) as tactician.

The Soto 40 fleet has mustered a season maximum of six boats with a host of potential owners visiting Barcelona to sail, several lined up to order boats for next season.
Pedro Mendonca’s Portuguese Bigamist crew raced in their native Cascais but return to Barcelona to race. They compete with the former XXII but the team which is skippered by Afonso Domingos (POR)have chosen not to carry forward XXII’s points, but instead starting afresh. This is understood to be because of their investment in five new sails which maximises their potential to win here, but exceeds the sail button allowance for XXII.

© Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup

Ed Baird (USA), Skipper, Quantum Racing (USA):

“We´ve had a good season so far and it´s exciting that it has come to the last event this year. We don´t look at our positions as though we have a lead, it´s virtually tied. Any race can erase the couple points that we have. We need to go out and have a good regatta, keep an eye on what´s been happening later in the week and see what we have to do from there. Light air increases the stress because boats get a little bit further away from each other upwind and downwind and it´s quite difficult to quickly change what you are doing and run to chase somebody down at the other side of the course. You have to be more thoughtful and be patient, It´s going to be that kind of venue. We always make some adjustments, we have some new inventory in sails in order to give ourselves any opportunity that we can, it´s all a part of the season´s management. We are following the same plan that we did before and we are trying our best.

Francesco Bruni (ITA), Tactician, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“We know well that this week can´t be a match race between us and Quantum, because there are some other teams like Container or Bribón who are still close, they are all within 15 points. If you have two bad races, they´ll be ahead of you, and I´m sure Quantum´s thinking like this as well. This is the beginning of the week, and at this point we only have to think about racing well and watch our points. Once we get to the middle of the week if I´m asked again about our strategy, I´m sure I´ll have a complete different answer. Our long term forecast says we´ll have light conditions here this week, mainly sea breeze and honestly, I think that this makes the boat sail in a very similar way. We´ve taken a few steps forward lately in terms of speed, we only have to sail well, trying to choose the right side, with concentration and not thinking too much about points, at least not at the beginning. The decisions that you make tactically are going to be very important in these light conditions, which suit Bribón well, they have proved that in previous events. Aside from them, most teams are very similar”.

Gonzalo Araújo (ESP), Skipper-helm, Bribón (ESP):

“This the last event of the season and as we all know it´s special for us, because it´s the last event of a project that has been living for a lot of years. Focusing on the circuit, this is one event more for us, we have to keep going on the same path that we´ve been following in the last events, doing things correctly and trying to get a good result at the end. If we can actually get a win that´s great, if not, we have to try to be up there, because we still have podium chances. We´ll try our best to be as high as we can in the general standing when the circuit comes to its end. Consistency has always been the key here. At the beginning of the season we had some problems and we´ve improved a lot in the last events. This race course is not especially complicated in terms of currents or wind, so it will be important to take care of that consistency that I talked about before when it comes down to the start, the way you handle the boat and its speed”.

Thierry Peponnet (FRA) tactician Synergy (RUS):

“We feel we should be getting better and better and the goal is to be on the podium. We are looking at that as a target for a long time now, and we have been close since winning the first race of the season in Cascais. I am pretty sure we can do it. There is no pressure but we just have to sail well and be much more concentrated. Often we have started the event well in a very good position, winning the first races Cascais and last month in Cartagena but then in the middle of the championship dropping in the rankings.  It is difficult to say why but maybe losing that edge of concentration and motivation. So everyone is very motivated. We had a clear call from the owner that he wanted some changes and is expecting some results here. We have changed the navigator to Johan Barne to also be closer to the weight limit, but also to be able to get more strategic input. Johan has done a lot of Soling sailing and was originally the crew of Magnus Holmberg, he did a lot of match racing with Magnus and was navigator for the Swiss team on the America’s Cup Victory as well, so we are hoping to find a good way to work together quickly.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

“We are really looking forwards to Barcelona. We have a job to do there and are confident we can do it. When we look back to Cartagena our feeling is very much not to panic, if there is nothing particularly broken then we don’t have to worry about trying to fix things, but just to focus on trying to the do the things that we know we do well better.

We have an exceptional team who are used to closing out major titles, like the America’s Cup and World Championships and so I don’t think pressure or confidence will come into it.” Opens Ed Reynolds (USA), Quantum Racing’s project manager, “I think that we have to make sure we are fully optimised for the conditions expected, which might be something like 12-16kts sea breezes with the choppy seas we saw last year. Those conditions I certainly feel are not a weakness for us.”

BARCELONA | © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, skippered by Gullermo Parada (ARG) with Vasco Vascotto (ITA) as strategist and Francesco Bruni (ITA) as tactician have proven the most consistent 52 Series team over the second half of this season. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team have just finished second overall at theRegion of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy in August after July’s Region of Sardinia Trophy off Cagliari where they also finished runners up. They are the only team to have been on the podium at each and every regatta this year.

The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team crew which last year as Matador finished third overall, only five points shy of Quantum Racing who were second in 2010, show every sign of finishing their season on a high. They could press Quantum Racing right to the wire heading into 2011’s Barcelona finale only 3.5 points behind long time Circuit leaders Quantum Racing.

“We will arrive in Barcelona very highly motivated, with a high morale with great support. We know that the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Audi and Roemmers Family members will all be there to support us, and that’s why we want to finish the season in the best possible way. We expect to have a good week.” Offers Guillermo Parada (ARG), Audi Azzurra Sailing Team’s skipper.

Since winning the Cascais Trophy in Portugal the American team Quantum Racing have topped the overall standings after each of the four regattas so far this season but their lead was effectively halved in Murcia last month.

The final regatta of the season, the Conde de Godó – Barcelona Trophy starts in just one week’s time when the battle for the title might even become a three cornered one as the German flagged team onUdo Schuetze’s Container are still only 11.5 points behind the 52 Series Circuit leaders.

“The title victory in the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit is far from over. A good series could easily get back 10 or 15 points of Quantum Racing’s lead.” Says Markus Wieser (GER) skipper-helm of Container, “ It’s all in their hands for sure, but they also didn’t sail so well in the past. We think the hardest competitor to beat will be Bribon again, because they are the fastest boat in light air. Even they might be able to grab the overall trophy. The beat us by 18 points in Cartagena and Quantum Racing by 13.5. So, why not do so again?“

Indeed Bribon, racing in the home water of owner Jose Cusi, is far from out of the title race, 18 points off the Circuit lead in fourth place. Recent winners of the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy, they are considered the form team in light to moderate airs.

The schedule for the title shoot out regatta differs slightly from the four preceding events, with the official Practice Race on Monday September 12th and points racing for the 52 Series starting on Tuesday 11th.

As it stands it is certainly not easy to predict which team will be crowned 2011 Audi MedCup Circuitchampions.

Historically Barcelona’s Garbi sea breeze is slightly less reliable in September but will usually make an appearance, blowing anywhere between 11 and 16-17kts from around 200 to 210 degrees. The gradient breeze is sometime the brisk Easterly Levante which has marked the weather in the last few days in the Catalonian capital.

Different TP52s have won in each regatta this season and it would not be a surprise to find a fifth boat winning the Conde de Godó – Barcelona Trophy. The fleet is due to be at full strength with the return ofTony Langley’s Gladiator.

In the 40 Series it is not as open. Spain’s Iberdrola Sailing Team start in Barcelona with a lead of 28 points, but they will be racing in a class of six Soto 40’s following the arrival of Toni Guiu and Àlex Laplaza’s new boat www.cruiser-racer.com, which will make its debut on the team’s home waters.

Britain’s Ngoni became the only team other than the Iberdrola Sailing Team to win a regatta this season when they won in Murcia. Tony Buckingham’s crew have designs on the second place which is presently held by Noticia IV.

“I really think that after our performance in Murcia that it is do-able. Our main thing will be to try and put boats between us and Noticia IV in as many races as we can, and from that point of view a six boat fleet can only be better for us. Certainly in Cagaliari I felt like Noticia IV was a little quicker in the big breeze at times, but we were certainly fast in Cartagena and go to Barcelona with a lot of confidence. We feel like we have improved at each regatta so look forward to continuing with that.”

Said Kevin Sproul (GBR), Ngoni’s skipper who will hand the helm back to owner Buckingham for Barcelona.

Portugal’s Bigamist crew return to race in Barcelona and will be sailing onboard XXII, with Star Olympic sailor Afonso Domingos as skipper-helm along with programme owner Pedro Mendonça.

Quotes:

Agustín Zulueta (ESP), Iberdrola Sailing Team’s project manager:

“We made several mistakes in Cartagena from which we draw some conclusions:: first of all our sails have suffered a lot throughout the 30 races that we’ve done till now, and some need to be replaced. Secondly the level of this fleet has evened out now which means that if we make mistakes they beat us. So it is very clear to us what we have to do in Barcelona.”

Markus Wieser (GER) skipper-helm of Container (GER):

“We worked a lot on our sails after Cartagena especially on the light wind gennaker and built a new A2 on out last slot. We hope we can improve on the light air performance now compared to the last regatta because in general we’re expecting even lighter breezes than in Cartagena.”

“We should not be too disappointed after Cartagena keeping in mind that this is still our first TP 52 season and most of the other team have much more experience with these boats than us. The season’s opener and Marseille were just great with our boat speed in heavy winds, but we simply couldn’t anticipate the necessary trim and set-up changes for medium to light air quick enough. Let’s say the others learned their lessons better than we did. But we’ll keep going and do the best we can to fighting back in Barcelona.”

“The victory in the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit is far from over. A good series could easily take out 10 or 15 points of Quantum Racing’s lead. It’s all in their hands for sure, but they also didn’t sailed too well in the past. We think the hardest competitor to beat will be BRIBON again, because they are the fastest boat in light air. Even they might be able to grab the overall trophy. The beat us by 18 points in Cartagena and Quantum Racing by 13.5. Why not do so again?”

“Although racing is so tight in this class it always comes down to boat speed. If you are just that little bit too slow you can’t act anymore and deliver your strategy and tactics, you have to then react. And this doesn’t work out well quite often. If you are fast enough, you manage to be in front once, and then the rich are getting richer most of the time.“

Jochen Schuemann (GER) skipper-helm of Audi Sailing Team powered by ALL4ONE:

“Although we were not that happy with rank four in Cartagena we missed the podium with just a tiny little margin to QUANTUM. This showed that we were on the right track and our victory in Cagliari was not only by luck.”
“We can’t do much about our downwind weakness in medium to strong breeze, because we had used all our slots to build new sails already. Otherwise we certainly would try a different A4. But we are developing a new gennaker which we hope to use at the Worlds in Porto Cervo later the year.”
“Our goal is a podium finish in Barcelona. We know we missed the Circuit podium already but every single race and every single trophy is important to us. The conditions in Barcelona seem to be quite uncertain from very lttle winds with lumpy seas to strong Tramontanta – everything could happen. So you need to strength your general performance and not concentrating on specific conditions.”
“It will be an interesting regatta for the overall win of the season, with QUANTUM, AZZURRA and even CONTAINER still in striking distance.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

Unmatched consistency on a very difficult race area ensured that the Spanish crew secured the 52 Series regatta title of the first Spanish regatta of the season as long as they finished.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Such regularity was only slightly exceeded in the Soto 40 Class where the British crew of Ngonioverhauled the Spanish favourites on Iberdrola Team, who came to Cartagena unbeaten on the Audi MedCup Circuit this season, to win the 40 Series’ Region of Murcia Trophy even before they had contested their one race today.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Bribon clinched their first Trophy Regatta win since triumphing here in 2008 when they staged a remarkable recovery from last at the first mark of the first of two races today. After choosing the wrong side of the first leg, double Olympic medallist Ross MacDonald (CAN) guided them down the right side of the first downwind and by the first leeward gate they had a slender lead. Finishing second to Synergy (RUS) meant the Spanish team only needed to start the final race to lift the trophy.

They finished the nine race series with a winning margin of three points over Italy’s Audi Azzurra Sailing Team. The team skippered by Guillermo Parada (ARG) collect their second runners up position after last month finishing behind Audi ALL4ONE (FRA/GER) in Cagliari.

The remarkable team spirit which underpins this Spanish programme, owned by Jose Cusi but which has had HRH Juan Carlos as its skipper and patron for more than 40 years, was certainly a key factor in winning on a rugged, unfashionable stretch of water which is especially testing due to the way the winds are influenced by the high cliffs, valleys and headlands which mark out the race course area.

Helmed by Gonazalo Aurajo (ESP), who joined the team last year, some core members of the Briboncrew have sailed together for around 10 years. Several times during racing they were able to squeeze keynote results from difficult positions, sometimes even on the final wave or final puff of wind.

“For so many years we’ve been fighting, fighting alongside each other with this crew, and sothey deserve this for all the hard work they´ve done for such a long time. I personally want to dedicate the victory to them, because it´s tough to keep the chemistry and a good atmosphere when you are not getting the best results. That´s why this goes to them. As a team, we´d like to dedicate the Trophy to our owner, José Cusí, because unfortunately he couldn´t be here with us today and share with us such beautiful moments”. Smiled Ignasi Triay (ESP) project manager and trimmer of Bribon.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The win of Bribon, a 2009 launched Rolf Vrolijk design which was the oldest boat in the fleet, now means that different crews have won each of the four regattas this season after Quantum Racing in Cascais, Portugal, Container in Marseille, France and Audi ALL4ONE in Cagliari, Italy.

Making up the podium in third, Quantum Racing (USA) suffered a breakdown with their primary winch in both races today which compromised them, but having arrived in Cartagena with a lead of seven points over Container (GER), the Circuit leaders’ leave with a fight on their hands.

With three weighty sixth places finishes this week counterbalancing their Coastal Race win and just one second place, their margin is halved to 3.5 points as the Circuit heads to an exciting finale in Barcelona next month.

Now the only team to have finished on the podium at each regatta this season, back to back second places for Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, promotes the team which is skippered by Guillermo Parada (ARG) to now lie second ahead of Udo Schutze’s Container which finished fifth.

For the British crew of Ngoni, their win was missed by owner Tony Buckingham who will be back on the helm in Barcelona, but their triumph is a result of a well run programme which saw Ngoni as the second Soto 40 in Europe, training early season alongside the benchmark Iberdrola Team. Despite four changes of crew line up since Cagliari last month, the British team gelled quickly, were fast in the lighter conditions and showed every sign they can be equally competitive in Barcelona.
Iberdrola Sailing Team finished second in Cartagena but have built their Circuit lead by two points here to 28 points.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Quotes of the day

Kevin Sproul (GBR) the skipper-helm, Ngoni (GBR):

“We are really happy. We´ve had a fantastic regatta here, we think that our progression from earlier events is due to the fact that we started with a new boat and did not have a lot of training. It was very, very difficult at the beginning for us, because Iberdrola and NH Resorts have been sailing really well and they had a lot of previous practice. We felt that every regatta we were a little bit better and that showed in the results.”

Gonzalo Araújo (ESP), Skipper, Bribón (ESP):

“I´m very happy, both for me and for our teammates. This year we´ve worked really hard and we´ve been rewarded because we´ve been able to see that with a good boat we are able to be there with the best, something that we didn´t have last year, and that made us feel impotent. I was not in the team when the last trophy was won here in Cartagena, but it´s very especial, because the level here, it´s as high as it can get.

The fact that we won in Spain makes it really special because there is so many people that you know around. José Cusí, the owner, deserves this trophy because he´s made a great effort to have us here, sailing with a new boat. He also has an unbelievable career behind him, so he deserves this and a lot more.”

Vasco Vascotto (ITA), strategist of Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“We look at the good things, I think we have done our best regatta of the year, and already in Cagliari we did a good job showing that we are alive and fighting. We recovered in a good way after the bad luck of yesterday, not giving away even a metre. Maybe we could do something more today, but the fact that we were 6th on the top mark, and we finished second passing Quantum on the line, it’s a signal that I like more than any other. Until now we are always been on the podium, 3° in Cascais and Marseille, and 2° in Cagliari and here. We don’t say anything, but if in Barcelona would arrive that result that misses, we will have a double surprise.”

Kevin Sproul (GBR), Skipper, Ngoni (GBR):

“We are really happy. We´ve had a fantastic regatta here, we think that our progression from earlier events is due to the fact that we started with a new boat and did not have a lot of training. It was very, very difficult at the beginning for us, because Iberdrola and NH Resorts have been sailing really well and they had a lot of previous practice. We felt that every regatta we were a little bit better and that showed in the results. We finished third and fourth in the first events and we felt that if continued with that improvement coming here, we could be in for a second place and it would give us a lift for the end of the season in Barcelona. There were three boats with chances of winning the event but at the end it has actually been better that what we expected for us and we´ve won. We´ve had a few crew changes which have been good in a lot of ways, but mainly is the way that we´ve sailed the boat. In key positions we´ve got a fantastic Mainsheet Trimmer, Jib Trimmer and Spinnaker Trimmer, and we´ve sailed together a lot. We´ve also had the rigs set up properly and we´ve sailed better in different winds conditions. The key here has been our consistency, in the past we were inconsistent, we had some good races and some bad ones. I think that us winning the Trophy here is the result of a lot of practice.”

Marcel Van Triest (ESP), navigator, Bribón (FRA):

“It feels great, we´ve been progressing during the season. I remember that we had some issues in Cascais, we started doing better and recently we won the Copa del Rey, and it was really good for morale. We did some good things here, we are really happy about that. There´s really not a specific reason why we sailed so clean and consistent all week, we like it when it´s not a one-sided race course because it suits us fine. I don´t know about us sailing that clean, we took a penalty in this event. You need some good luck, of course, it´s important that things go your way. As I said, we are happy with our boat´s speed, it´s going really well. As a team we´ve always been a good team, with a great atmosphere and I think that it eventually pays off”.

Ignasi Triay (ESP), Trimmer, Bribón (ESP):

“We are very happy, because believe it or not, the last time that we won an Audi MedCup Trophy was right here, in Cartagena, three seasons ago. We´ve been fighting and fighting for so many years with this crew, that they deserve this for all the hard work they´ve done for such a long time. I personally want to dedicate the victory to them, because it´s tough to keep the chemistry and a good atmosphere when you are not getting the best results, that´s why this goes to them. As a team, we´d like to dedicate the Trophy to our owner, José Cusí, because unfortunately he couldn´t be here with us today and share with us such beautiful moments”.

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):

“Bribón and Azzurra sailed very well this week, consistently, they stepped up to it, and we´ve had good races and bad races. Today we´ve had some problems, because we basically broke our primary winch in both races. Down the last run we actually couldn´t gybe at times, we gave away a first, and that made it really hard. We still up there in the Circuit, we need to stay solid and begin to think about the next event with a new approach. As far as I´m concern we are in front here and we are going to stay in front”.

José María Torcida (ESP), Skipper, Iberdrola Team (ESP):

“We are still a good team and our boat has great speed. We underestimated Ngoni early in the week, because we saw that they started well but we didn´t think that they were going to stay so strong. The truth is that they´ve done quite well and we have to congratulate them for that. Our rival from day one here was NH Resorts. We´ve kept an eye on them all week, that was our goal, not to lose points with the second team in the general standings, and we succeeded. Our real goal is to win the Circuit, what happened here this week is really good for the competition and also for us in order to stay more focused”.

Markus Wieser (GER) skipper-helm, Container (GER):

“We are disappointed, no doubt. Very frustrating trophy for us. We sailed not good, because we were not fast enough and that makes you loosing your confidence in your strategy and your tactics as well. Our change to a light wind set-up didn’t really worked out. We definetely lost ground to most of the other boats. Than you get mentally under pressure to do better, but negative pressure is the last thing you need to be successful. It’s a shame in the overall circuit ranking, but we should keep in mind that we are newcomers in this class. Myself I had never steered a TP 52 before Cascais. So there’s plenty to learn for us and we have to analyze our mistakes and fight back strongly in Barcelona always keeping in mind, it’s not over until its over.“

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Champions make their luck and world champions Quantum Racing had worked themselves into a strong second position, ready to seize any opportunity to win the 25 miles premium points Coastal Race were it presented to them, but a change back from white to their traditional black team outfits might just have contributed an upturn in  fortunes for the Audi Med Cup Circuit leading team.
They bounced back from a miserable set of scores Friday, 6,4,7, to crucially win today’s vital Coastal test at the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy Regatta off Cartagena.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

If it was a day when good fortune favoured Quantum Racing and the ill timed luck of Audi Azzurra Sailing Team dramatically handed victory to the American flagged team when a halyard lock strop failure on race leading Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, only 0.8 miles from a grandstand in-harbour finish. It denied the unlucky Italian crew a hard won victory when their mainsail came sliding down. In the minutes it took to them to make a temporary fix Audi Azzurra dropped to fourth.

Also profiting were Jose Cusi’s Bribon crew who immediately jumped from having seemingly lost their grip on their lead of the regatta which they have held since the end of the second day of racing.
Crossing the line in second just behind Ed Baird’s Quantum Racing, Bribon now enter the final day of racing with a leading margin of five points over Audi Azzurra Sailing Team, while Quantum Racing’svictory promoted them from fifth to lie third overall at this regatta.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

A consistent day for Tony Buckingham’s British crew on Ngoni, sailing to a well earned pair of second places mean that the team which is skippered by helm Kevin Sproul (GBR) enter the final day’s one windward-leeward race with a five points lead in this five boat fleet, almost certain to become the first British boat ever to win an Audi MedCup Circuit Regatta Trophy.

The 52 Series coastal race took the tightly matched fleet on an initial windward-leeward loop in the brisk NE’ly Levant wind before a long 5 miles beat out to Cabo Agua to the east of Cartagena, a long tactical run back, two sail reach inshore to round the rocky Pigeon Island before the final beat back into the harbour.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The initial upwind proved difficult to read with an immediate choice to be made, but with the extra wind pressure offshore to the right, it was a benefit which Audi Azzurra and Audi ALL4ONE were able to profit from after starting off the committee boat end of the line. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team lead their sistership narrowly at the windward mark but they had trouble with their spinnaker hoist, losing distance immediately to their rivals. But Vasco Vascotto, Francesco Bruni and the Azzurra crew fought back hard taking places on the top third of the long beat and with an excellent run back, they established their lead again on the run.

They looked set for a certain victory, holding distance on Quantum Racing who had sailed an equally astute race, showing better pace in the conditions and assured, steady tactical choices which allowed them to climb to second.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The position of the finish line was clearly visible to the Audi Azzurra Sailing Team when the drama happened, but with such a failure there was no immediate contingency and it took the visibly frustrated crew some minutes to get sorted.

“We don´t like to speak about luck when we lose places,” Azzurra’s Francesco Bruni said later, “But this time it was really something exceptional. We broke the halyard of the main, the little part that holds the sail up, and then it came tumbling down. It really felt as if it was God´s sign for us not to win the coastal.”

It was good sailing which turned a corner for Quantum Racing, but good luck can’t be discounted and the wardrobe call might have helped:

“It’s a bit like one of our guests said to us in Marseille: ‘If  you are superstitious, then you will have bad luck!. I don’t know if that is true but the black shirts do seem luckier . smiled Ed Reynolds, Quantum Racing’s project manager who was joined on the chase boat by Terry Hutchinson (USA) skipper-helm of Quantum Racing from 2008-2010, “Terry certainly said he found it much more stressful on the support boat than on the race boat.”

“The important thing for us today was that neither of the two Spanish boats got two firsts today and so we started the day with a five points lead and finished the day with a five points lead. We are pretty stoked to be honest.” Said Ngoni’s David ‘Freddie’ Carr. “The shifts went through up to 50 degrees and we saw between ten and 20kts, so tactically itr was about as hard as it gets.”

The 52 Series goes down to two final windward-leeward races with 2008 Region of Murcia Trophy winners holding a five points lead, while Ngoni need only to race to be sure of the Murcia title for the Soto 40’s.

© Guido Trombetta_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Quotes of the day

What the sailors said on the dock side.

Francesco Bruni (ITA), Tactician, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“We don´t like to speak about luck when we lose places but this time was really something special. We broke the halyard of the main, the little part that holds the sail up, and then it came down. We were just one hundred meters away for the end and the race was over for us. It really felt as if it was God´s sign for us not to win the coastal. We are doing well, we have to remember that we did a great regatta and keep going”.

Tim Burnell (AUS), navigator-tactician Ngoni (GBR):

“It has been such a fantastic experience for us all. There was no pressure on us at all and three of us had never been on a Soto 40 before far less this one, but Gerry Mitchell on the main really does a great job driving the boat, he keeps Kevin the helm honest and looking after the boat speed and he has also really helped us. By and large we have put the boat in the right spot and we have sailed absolutely clean, we have stayed out of trouble”

Ed Reynolds (USA) project manager Quantum Racing (USA):

“Last night it was just everybody just looking at themselves and us all saying ‘we are better than this’. The upside of yesterday was that we did not every mistake that was made, sometimes you are just ‘what the hell just happened today?’ but it was not like that at all. It was like, ‘this is what we need to do…..’ and so today they sailed very well. It was tough. There is a lot of luck involved in sailboat racing but you have to be good enough to take advantage when it happens. These guys fought and clawed their way up to be ready to take advantage.”
“It was fun having Terry here. I think that, in no way, shape or form do I want this to be construed as an excuse, but I think that the sea conditions yesterday we have an amazing powerful boat, but I think we have had three or four knots more we would have been fine, but where we were, in that mode, we just for the first time this year we were not very fast upwind. We analysed everything and nothing stood out as broken, but I am not sure it is a coincidence that Synergy struggled too.”
“It was an amazingly important day. When we came into this we thought Azzurra would come good. When we saw them struggle in Cascais we thought’ these guys are too good for this. Watching them on the race course they are amazing sailors and my personal feeling is that they have been the threat since Day 1. It was just a matter of time before they found the gears. At first there was maybe a lot of speculation that the Audi boats maybe questions over them, but I don’t think there are questions now.”

Francesco Bruni (ITA), Tactician, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“We don´t like to speak about luck when we lose places but this time was really something special. We broke the halyard of the main, the little part that holds the sail up, and then it came down. We were just one hundred meters away for the end and the race was over for us. It really felt as if it was God´s sign for us not to win the coastal. We are doing well, we have to remember that we did a great regatta and keep going”.

Gonzalo Araújo (ESP), skipper-helm Bribón (ESP):

“It´s been a tough day, we worked hard.We had a bit of everything, good and bad luck. We recovered and fought, and at the end we were rewarded. We had an incident with ALL4ONE, and after we protested, they were penalized. We were getting to the port and the tacked really close to us, which made us tack also sending us to shallow water area, we nearly hit the bottom. What happened to Azzurra is very bad luck, because they had done an almost perfect race. Our efforts were rewarded today.”

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):

“The key today was to keep working and stay focus the whole day through. I probably underestimated a fact, and that is that we actually went out this morning to have a look at the current at the shore and there was not much running. By the time we got there in the race it was strong at that hurt us. All credit to the blue boat, they sailed very well, we kept the pressure on them. Unfortunately, they broke the main halyard, we know how that feels from when we broke the backstay. It´s been great racing, we struggled yesterday and certainly today we needed this kind of result. Last night we sat down in the container to talk, we change our shirts from white to black, which I have to say are bloody hot, and went out there today”.

Jochen Schümann (GER) skipper-helm Audi Sailing Team powered by ALL4ONE:

“We had an almost perfect race from the start up to 2/3rds of it controlling everyone nicely. But when we opt on the long downwind for the A4 our strongest gennaker, we were simply too slow. The others took about 100 to 150 metres out of our lead first and finally overtook us. We kept the race quite open after rounding the island, but were quite frustrated still which might have caused our fault on BRIBON when we tacked on their bow. So we got the penalty and managed to stick to the podium only because of AZZURRAs bad luck at the end. Usually we should be happy with a top 3 finish which we are obviously not today.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

For the 52 Series it is their high scoring coastal race, carrying a 1.5points multiplier for the course which should be around 30miles.
The 40 Series are planning two windward-leeward races and, like the TP52’s they should finish in the Cartagena harbour where a huge welcome is expected this Saturday afternoon. The city has become very passionate for the Audi MedCup Circuit and even last night the docksides were thronged as the weekend arrived.
For Bribon (ESP) they go afloat with a two points lead in the Trophy regatta on to a course they know well, but as the tactician off their main rivals Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA) Francesco Bruni noted this morning, the standard is so high and small mistakes are magnified immensely:

“…..one day you feel like a superstar and the next you feel like an idiot.”

So for Bribon there is the chance to extend their lead if they can post a good result and stay ahead of their Italian rivals.

Meantime Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA) have to start climbing again. After a 6,6,4,7 run the only way is up for the 2008 Audi MedCup champions. Terry Hutchinson (USA), longstanding skipper-helm, is paying the Circuit a visit today with his family, visiting from Valencia and has certainly had some words of encouragement for the team.
in the Soto 40’s Ngoni (GBR) have a five points margin in the regatta over the Spanish duo Iberdrola Team and NH Resorts.

Marcel Van Triest (NED) navigator Bribon (ESP):

“The breeze has gone around to the Levant direction, the NE and ENE a bit fresher, it will be good strong conditions, 17-21 kts gusting to 25kts, blustery with this offshore breeze and that will make this coastal course interesting because there will be left hand breeze coming out of the harbour and right hand breeze coming round the headlands, so you have to make some big choices: go left trying to find the lefty or right trying to find the lefty and big holes under the cliffs. We have all done this course a few times and there are loads of opportunities. It is not over until it over.”
“ There is no more pressure than normal when you are leading, it is sailing, you go out and do your job the very best you can and that’s it.”

Francesco Bruni (ITA), Tactician, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“Today´s an important day because we are all very close in terms of points in this trophy. We couldn´t ask for a better start this week, but as I said yesterday we have to keep sailing well and not make mistakes. It´s all about not making mistakes. The fleet is so good and close that one day you feel like a superstar and the next you feel like an idiot, we all have good days and bad days, it has happened to everyone. Bribón sailing is been really solid, they are doing a very, very good job”.

Iñaki Castañer (ESP), Skipper, NH Resorts (ESP):

“Yesterday was a bad day for us, we didn´t sail well. We did some good starts but our mast was not well tuned-up and we struggled in terms of speed. We are motivated for today´s race, we hope to get a 100% performance from the boat today. The trophy´s still open, there are three races left and we are tied with Iberdrola and 5 points shy from the leader. Anything can happen. It´s not that Iberdrola is sailing well, the key is that the rest of the boats are sailing better and are better prepared now“.

A few words with  Terry Hutchinson (USA)

Tell us what you are doing here in Cartagena?

I just moved to Valencia with my family, so this is the perfect opportunity to come down and say hello to the extended family and check it all out. It’s been nerve racking watching it on the Internet and the guys are fighting a good fight, so we keep wishing them well ‘from afar’ and hopefully they will keep plugging along. I am also here to support them.

It has been a difficult week so far for the team.

It swings and roundabouts. Everybody has to keep in mind that there has been a lot of changes on the boat and the three years that we had together leading up to this. It takes time to build a solid foundation with any team and the departure of some of the guys on the boat created an opportunity for new people to come onboard, race the boat and expose them to Quantum, so from that side it’s all really good. But it takes time to build a very good team and I am confident that they are going to be successful.

Do you miss the Circuit?

Oh yeah! How can you not miss it! But with every change, there is a new opportunity.

Can you tell us more about what you are doing now.

I am the skipper of Artemis Racing and we are training towards the 34th Americas Cup. So we have just completed our first AC45 regatta in Cascais where we had moderate results. We finished 2nd in the fleet racing and 3rd in the Match Racing portions but BMW Oracle and Emerates Team New Zealand are of a very high standard right now and we have a little catching up to do, which is good. Much like Quantum Racing we are building a new team within Artemis Racing as well, so I am nothing but optamistic.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

For sure, when it comes to tight racing where places were won or lost on the finish line, decided by an extra boost by one wave, crew morale and the feeling of ‘home’ support at the first regatta of the season to be hosted in Spain, might be the unseen components to Bribon’s regatta leadership. Two second places backed up by a third in breezes from 11-15kts and a building choppy sea ensured that Bribon was the best scoring team of the day along with Audi Azzurra. The team which sails under the flag of theYacht Club Costa Smerelda twice executed from strong strategic game-plans to win Races 5 and 6 in the 52 Series.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Kevin Sproul and the mainly British crew of Ngoni extended their lead in the 40 Series fleet with a pair of back to back race wins and a second in their third race of the day, now standing five points ahead of theAudi MedCup Circuit leaders Iberdrola Team. In the close, tactical racing Tony Buckingham’s team were able to extend twice to solid wins, suffering slightly in the third race when a spinnaker twisted. But behind them the Spanish rivals Iberdrola and NH Resorts finish the second day of racing locked on 12 points apiece.

Cartagena’s race track was once again tough to master for the afterguards, with some many different factors to account for, not least the awkward choppy swell which progressively builds and bounces back off the high, bluff cliffs. Downwind the swell could be a blessing, but almost always a curse upwind.

The Franco-German crew of Audi Sailing Team Powered by ALL4ONE, lead by Jochen Schuemann(GER), won the day’s first race after their start from pin, left end of the start line and were able to lead for most of the race, finishing just three seconds ahead of Bribon.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

In the second race of the three, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team were quick to recognise a potential benefit on the right and delivered a good start at the committee boat end of the line and lead Bribon across the finish line. The Spanish team’s industry down the final run, working right and arriving with pace and extra wind pressure allowed them to gain two places on the last leg of the course.

And Guillermo Parada’s team which finished second in Cagliari last month, cemented their promotion to second overall at the this regatta with another win, their third of the regatta, in the final race of the day. The Italian duo of Vasco Vascotto on strategy and Francesco Bruni were at the top of their game as they read the right shifting breeze to stay ahead of Germany’s Container to the finish line.

It proved an especially testing day for the current World Champions and Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA) who seemed to struggle at times for pace in the awkward swell and made some small tactical errors which cost them, finishing 6,4,7 for the day, to spend a lot of their Audi MedCup Circuitlead, their weighty average for the day contrasting with that of their main title rivals Container who finished five boats ahead of them in the final race today.

There was no mistaking the dominant team in the Soto 40’s over the first two races as Ngoni twice started better than Iberdrola, the bench mark crew of the season so far, but the Spanish crew were well ahead in their race win.

The 52 Series fleet are expecting to race their high points value coastal race tomorrow, while the Soto 40’s should sail two windward-leewards.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Quotes of the day

On the dockside, after three races in wind and sun, this is what the sailors said.

Ignasi Triay (ESP) trimmer, Bribon (ESP):

“ The pressure is always there and it’s the same if you first, third or fifth. It is such a competitive fleet. Maybe we feel more support here in Cartagena from the local citizens, they always turn out to greet us when we come in, they are pushing and that always helps. But we come here with a very strong feeling after winning the King’s Cup, we feel we can do it and we believe in ourselves. We have a good tactician and a good team, I think the team was working so hard because some times we were not so good, but we just kept pushing.”

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Ed Reynolds (USA) project manager Quantum Racing (USA):

“For sure nobody is making it easy, it is great for the MedCup because I really think this is going to be tight to the end. Us? I don’t think we were very fast today, tactically we were weak, our starts were average. And with this fleet any minor mistake is just exploited so hard.
It is such a completely different dynamic from last year. Kevin Hall has always driven the performance of the boat, the modes, this is where we want to go, he is always been such a key part of the success that we have had. Ed and Ado are pretty low key, low profile personalities compared to Terry, who just rapped it. We have to work a little bit on personalities, how do we come to good decisions, making sure that everybody understood the strengths and weaknesses of each other, so we are using every tool in the toolbox.
We need to sit down and talk about what is going on, who what where and why. But there is nothing we can’t do a little better.”

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Kevin Sproul (GBR) skipper-helm Ngoni (GBR):

“This is the first regatta where there had been a bit less wind and it has been a chance to work the boat hard, the same for the some of the other boats. We have learned a lot from Iberdrola, we have watched them they are very good and slick, and they are always very good on the start line and so we have focussed on getting at least as good a start as them.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

A front is expected to influence the weather situation for today and tomorrow, probably bringing in some stronger NW’ly gradient winds by tomorrow, but meantime this afternoon the breeze is still expected to be in the SW.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Bribon head out to the race track holding a one point lead over Synergy Russian Sailing Team with Audi Azzurra Sailing Team lying third only two points off the lead.

In 2008, the first time that the Circuit came to Cartagena, Bribon won the Region of Murcia Trophy on the last race. The iconic Spanish boat arrived here after winning a light wind Copa del Rey, but trimmer and project manager Ignasi Triay (ESP) says he is no so worried about any rise in wind pressure, considering the consensus their 2009 build boat is believed to be one of the quickest in the light going:

“We are leading but that is circumstantial really, it is so close. Yesterday after the first race we were fourth and after the second we were first, but it is so close. But, breeze or no breeze, windy or not, it is how you start, how you race. The people say that Audi Azzurra and Audi ALL4ONE are not very good in light airs, but Azzurra made a beautiful start, sailed good tactics and won the race, so at the end what you have to do is put together a good race, to keep well focused and really, really try not to make nay mistakes, and hope it goes well. But the level is very high.”

“Apparently we do look quite strong in light airs’ but the fleet has not been sailing in light airs at the MedCup but we have just sailed in light airs at the Copa del Rey two weeks ago, so maybe we are a little more used it, but that will be equalised very quickly.”

When it is windy we suffer a little bit upwind but we are very fast downwind.
We like it here because we won the first time we were here. It was a mixed regatta with breeze and then very light on the last day. In fact it was super stressful because Matador was ahead of us on the last run and we passed them to win on the last gybe!”
Two windward-leeward races are scheduled for both the 52 Series and the 40 Series.

Guillermo Parada (ARG), Skipper, Audi Azzurra (ITA):

“It seems that we are going to have more wind here, but our strategy´s not going to change. Right now we are sailing well, not making big mistakes. We have to try to reach our real potential and try not to pay a lot of attention to both the event and the general standings. Any mistake can hurt you a lot. You have to be careful and think a lot before you take an approach, because the boat goes slower than usual and every decision is worth a lot more that it is in different conditions. You have to study your next move, because the damages can be a lot worse than the benefits”.

Sabine Schumann (GER), Tactician, www.cruiser-racer.com (ESP):

“For us the boat´s still pretty new, so we are learning as we go about how to handle it and other aspects such as specific trimming. It´s an easy boat to get used to, so we think that we have more chances to perform better these next three days. Having said that, there are very experienced teams here, we are still at an amateur level and there are great professionals here. In the last race we were pretty close to the third and fourth teams, our goal now is to see if we can finish ahead of them in some of the upcoming races.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The late afternoon conditions were especially testing with a balancing act between a favourable shift offshore, to the left, and pressure inshore to the right. Bribón lead at the first mark but was overtaken byRAN after an inspired first run restored the mainly British crew to second at the leeward gate. They managed to get inside Bribon as the pressure fell on the approach to the final windward mark, butBribón were able to sneak across the finish line with a very slender margin over RAN.

Only three points separates the top four boats overall in the 52 Series after three races, all contested in winds which have yet to really top 10 knots.

In the 40 Series the British boat Ngoni converted a big lead at the first mark to a comfortable win, their second winning gun of the season, to lead the regatta overall after winning a second place in Race 1 of their series today.

© Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

What the sailors said on the dock side

Ignasi Triay (ESP), trimmer, Bribón (ESP):

“ The boat performs very well in these conditions. In the first race we fought against Azzurra and Quantum but in a port-starboard situation they were on port and made us hesitate and we ended up being penalized. No objection, it was a mistake from our side, but we left that behind and we managed to save the day.  In the second race we were among the top boats from the beginning. On  the last run we had RÁN ahead but we caught them and that makes us leaders in Cartagena”.

Francesco Bruni (ITA), tactician Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA):

“ A fourth and a first place is a nice score.  In the first one we did things well, we started well and went to the left. We were in control from the beginning, Quantum was behind sailing very fast and were kind of threatening but we coped with it and won the race”.

Kevin Sproul (GBR) skipper-helm Ngoni (GBR):

“We had a couple of good starts and that always helps. We were first at the windward mark in both races, but it was a bit ironic in the first race because if we had only been one boatlength ahead we could probably have won it, but because we were ten boatlengths ahead we didn’t. The breeze shut down for us at the mark and the others rounded with pressure, in a puff and caught us right up. If we had been closer to them we could have been in the same puff, but that is the way it is sometimes. But generally it all came together quite nicely, we seemed to be quick enough and in the lighter breezes can maybe get a bit of the consistency we have lacked in the stronger breeze.”

Iñaki Castañer (ESP), helmsman, NH Resorts (ESP):

” We did a good start in the race we won. Our tactician Gustavo Martínez Doreste did a good job, and also the rest of the crew, which sailed at their best inspite of all the shifts and preassure differences.  The keys today were consistency and good tactics, you had to choose one side or the other. In this conditions you can’t lose concentration”.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Racing in a gentle sea-breeze of 5-8kts, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team made an early bid for the left side of the course and profited to lead around the windward mark.

Jose Cusi’s Bribon dropped from contention when they were penalised on the second beat for a crossing infringement.

The young Australian team on Patagonia lead down the final run in the Soto 40′s but lost out to NH Resorts who stole victory. Trying to contain Iberdrola Brent Fowler’s team opened the door for Ngoni in the final seconds and allowed the British crew to get second.

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org

There is a promise that the sea breeze should pick up to more than 10kts by the middle of the afternoon. The target is set to try and run three races for both classes, but that seems quite ambitious given that local predictions are that the sea-breeze will not build much before 1400hrs.
While Russia’s Synergy Sailing Team top the regatta leaderboard, yesterday also proved to be a decent day for the Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA), finishing third.

© Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The 40 Series fleet should start their racing today and the big question is whether the young Australian team on Patagonia by the Australian Soto 40 Sailing Team (AUS) can repeat some of their success of yesterday when they won the Practice Race. The young crew held an informal reception this morning to announce their definitive intention to be back next season with a full Soto 40 programme:

“This is very much a fact-finding mission, looking at the logistics, the events and how it all works, and seeing how the team works together and so far we are very happy with it all. We have some guys back in Perth who we think are interested in sponsoring us, so when we get back the plan is to get right back into it. At the moment we are trying to get story into people’s minds back home and then go from there.” Said skipper-helm Brent Fowler (AUS) who has put the project together.

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):

“Cartagena is a challenging place to sail, yesterday we had a weak sea breeze so it was quite difficult to read the race in the water, we saw big gains and losses. It was a matter of backing what you believed and taking the side that you thought was best. Today´s forecasts say that it could be a bit different, we might see 13 knots or we might not, but I´m sure we´ll see good racing. All teams can win a race.  I think Synergy have shown that they sail well in this conditions. We are very pleased with result but we know that today it´s going to be a tough day”.

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Iberdrola Team (ESP):

“The first couple of days here are going to be tricky due to the weather conditions. This racecourse also has currents and you really have to be on top of things to sail well. I think it´s going to be a close trophy in the 40 Series. The Aussies sailed great yesterday, they are a team that sail in Farr 40, which are similar boats to the Soto 40s, they know how to sail boats with this length. We are happy because we didn’t sail well upwind at the beginning but we manage to recover for the rest of the race.”

All about the race 2011: audimedcup-2011 All about the race in Cascais: audimedcup-2011-cascais All about the race in Marseille: audimedcup-2011-marseille All about the race in Cagliari: audimedcup-2011-cagliari All about the race in Cartagena: audimedcup-2011-cartagena All about the race in Barcelona: audimedcup-2011-barcelona Photos: © Pedro Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup | © Nico Martinez/Audi MedCup | © Matías Capizzano Source: medcup.org