Confrontation’s level is getting higher being everyday a bit closer to the end. On the third racing day, the signal to start wasn’t given on time. The wind started to blow at 1p.m with a stable intensity and direction with approximately 16 knots.
This favourable weather conditions made the pace of events much more agile, allowed finishing the “one against one” races and for the first time in R.C.N.C it was possible to do the quarter finals, in which only compete 8 of the 12 boats.
The quarter finals were very tough and the audience enjoyed to the maximum while watching the huge competition between crews. Some of them made great moves trying to disqualify its opponent, obviously no one wanted to lose the opportunity to go to finals. The semi-finals would be the last day and the classified crews are: the past edition winner Torvar Mirsky (AUS), followed by Paolo Cian (FRA), Philippe Presti (FRA) and Andrey Arbuzov (RUS).
On the contrary, Bertrand Pacé (FRA), Damien Iehl (FRA), Ian Aislie (RSA) and Pierre A. Morvan (FRA), won’t go for the prize. The Open de España fifth edition would have the most hard-fought and attractive final since its beginning. The skippers have shown, after three days of tough competition, a high level and only one of them will get the trophy.
Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
