Prochaine régate - St. Moritz Match Race

La 6e édition de la St. Moritz Match Race, qui se déroulera du 2 au 7 septembre 2008, verra à nouveau au départ les meilleurs match racers du monde. Les numéros 1 à 4 du classement mondial s’y sont d’ores et déjà inscrits, tout comme les jeunes loups que sont Adam Minoprio de Nouvelle-Zélande (8) et l’Australien Torvar Mirsky (7).

C’est devenu une véritable tradition: le Match Race St. Moritz attire les meilleurs navigateurs en Engadine. Avec les vainqueurs de l’an passé, Ian Williams (GBR), Richard Mathieu (FRA), Paolo Cian (ITA, Shosholoza) et Sebastien Col (FRA) ont y retrouvera les quattre meilleurs du classement mondial de matchracing. Les deux „jeunes loups“ Adam Minoprio (NZL) et Torvar Mirsky (AUS) ont d’ores et déjà montré de quoi ils étaient capables dans le cadre de ce Worldtour et tenteront également à St.Moritz de rendre la vie dure aux cracks de la discipline. Ces deux jeunes talents sont en effet remarquablement bien placés au classement mondial, puisqu’ils occupent le 8e et le 7e rang.

L’America’s Cup sera elle aussi bien représentée à St. Moritz avec Paolo Cian (Shosholoza), Sebastien Col (K-Challenge), Jes Gram Hansen (DEN, Mascalzone Latino) et Philippe Presti (FRA, ex-Luna Rossa, maintenant French Spirit). "Nous sommes heureux de pouvoir à nouveau compter sur des participants de haut niveau, les meilleurs navigateurs du classement mondial de matchracing, ainsi que sur plusieurs skippers de renom venant de la Coupe de l’America. Autant dire que nous pouvons espérer des régates pour le moins passionnantes!» se réjouit le président du CO, Christian Scherrer.

On n’oubliera pas non plus le troisième de l’édition 2007, le Suisse Eric Monnin, qui n’a dû s’incliner lors du match race de Sopot qu’en finale contre Adam Minoprio. Le team n’a jamais raté une seule St. Moritz Match Race et connaît le plan d’eau comme nul autre. „Le St. Moritz Match Race reste pour nous l’objectif numéro 1 de la saison et un événement inoubliable. C’est la combinaison parfaite de régates à domicile, de flotte de niveau mondial, d’ambiance du tonnerre et d’un panorama à couper le souffle», résume Eric Monnin.

Le St. Moritz Match Race sera couru cette année sur un nouveau bateau, le Blu26. Ce voilier conduit par quatre hommes vient d’être lancé sur le marché et a été spécialement construit pour le matchracing sur les lacs suisses. Les bouts et les aussières du Blu26, ainsi que les bouées, sont signés Paraloc, qui officie en tant que „Rope Supplier“.

Skippers:
Mathieu Richard (FRA, French Match Racing Team / French Spirit) 1
Ian Williams (GBR, Team Pindar) 2
Paolo Cian (ITA, Team Shosholoza) 3
Sebastien Col (FRA, French Match Racing Team / K-Challenge) 4
Björn Hansen (SWE, Alandia Sailing Team) 6
Torvar Mirsky (AUS, Mirsky Racing Team) 7
Adam Minoprio (NZL, Black Match Racing supported by Emirates Team New Zealand) 8
Philippe Presti (FRA, French Match Racing Team / French Spirit) 9
Eric Monnin (SUI, Team Search.ch) 11
Jes Gram Hansen (DEN, Mascalzone Latino) 41

Copa del Rey QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup: Desafio and Roma GP42.2 in spotlight, Near Miss loses leadership

Desafio and Roma GP42.2 were the main characters playing on the Mallorcan waters for the fourth day of the QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup, at the Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE.

Two races today for the seven GP42 boats on the Alpha course; the first start was delayed for more than one hour, as it happened on the previous days, with a postoponement flag ashore in order to let the wind become stronger and more stable. The ninth start of the series went underway with some 8 to 10 knots and it was so hard-fought that three boats were recorded over the line: Airis, Caser Quum and the provisional series leaders, the Swiss/French crew on Near Miss that thus compromised their subsequent performance.

The Spanish form Desafio were, on the contrary, always in full control and their leadership was never threatened neither upwind nor downwind. Helmsman Laureano Wizner and tactician Santi Lopez-Vezquez, were first at each and every mark with a comfortable advantage, while Roma GP42.2, skippered by Paolo Cian, was trying to put a remedy upwind to her poor speed downwind. On the finish Desafio summed up sixty seconds lead on the Italians, with Near Miss, Airis, Caser Quum, Madrid and Canarias Puerto Calero closely following. Once again, the GP42’s showed their character as just 15 seconds separated the 2nd from 6th.

Still some ten knots for the second race, started exactly ten minutes after three p.m. While the Commitee boat was hoisting the individual recall flag for an OCS by Airis, that was forced to re-start, a new, fiercer than ever, battle was going on between Roma GP42.2 e Desafio. Paolo Cian e Laureano Wizner left no stone unturned to get a precious victory in the tenth race, having to check out for the rest of the fleet too. As reported by a spectator on the race course the last downwind leg to the finish line was a ‘heart stroke’ and the Committee members had no easy task in getting the arrival times right, with seven boats in a 45 seconds span.

RomaGP42.2 crossed only 8 seconds ahead of Desafio and 11 on Canarias Puerto Calero. Fourth was Near Miss, that as soon as astore presented a protest against Desafio who’s their enemy number one for the Copa del Rey for a suspect rule infringement at the start, but the International jury rejected it and the results are then unchanged. Caser Quum, Airis e Madrid closed today’s racing.

After today’s results Near Miss is no longer at the top of the scoreboard which is now occupied by Desafio, 22 to 23 points, and the third and the fourth too, Roma GP42.2 and Airis respectively, are distanced by a point at 28 and 29.

Quotes of the day:

Nano Negron, mainsail trimmer on Desafio:

“We slightly changed our trimming and it appears the boat is going better. In the first race we had a good start, we were also lucky a number of boats were OCS and we were able to stay ahead. Onwards, the battle was against Roma. In the second race we also had a very good start, leaving Near Miss a little out of place on the line. Near Miss then recovered and our focus was on them and Roma. We are very happy because we keep a steady pace despite the fact Near Miss has a newer boat.”

Paolo Cian helmsman on Roma GP42.2

“For sure today we did better, because we managed to retain the best possible speed downwind, while in the previous days after rounding the weather mark we used to fall back in the fleet. Today this didn’t happen. That’s better. Today the fight was not only against Desafio but a tight fight, considering there were OCS in the first race, such as Near Miss. We didn’t control them as we should have done and we gave them the right to come back and finish third. In the second one we were again together ahead of the fleet but we were able to better control and kept the lead over the rest. In this class nothing is ever definitive. Near Miss has achieved a series of 4 firsts but whenever the rest have recalibrated they can cause the Swiss problems. If you consider that the maximum delta between first and last in each race is less than a minute, then it’s clear it’s a fight from start to finish.”

Provisional scoreboard after 10 races, one discard, protest pending:

1. Desafio 22 points (2, 2,5, 6, 5, 2, 2, 1, 1, 2)
2. Near Miss 23 points (6, 1, 1, 1 1, 6, 3, 3, 3, 4)
3. Roma GP42.2 28 points (4, 5, 3, 5, 6, 3, 1, 4, 2, 1)
4. Airis 29 points (1, 7, 2, 7, 2, 1, 4, 2, 4, 6)
5. Caser Quum 42 points (3, 6, 7, 4, 4, 4, 6, 7, 5, 5)
6. Madrid 44 points (7, 4, 4, 2, 3, 5, 7, 6, 6, 7)
7. Canarias Puerto Calero 46 points (5, 3, 6, 3, 7, 7, 5, 5, 7,3)

Second day of the QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup at the Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE - Near Miss consolidates its leadership with two wins

Palma de Mallorca, July, 30th 2008. A sunny day today in the Bay of Palma, and a happy day for the Swiss team of Near Miss for the second date with the QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup, at the Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE.

After nearly three hours’ delay and being forced to move the race course from area Alpha to Bravo, due to the light and shifty wind conditions, the Race Committee was finally able to fire the start signal with a breeze blowing at some 9 knots on a 1,9 miles’ long leg distance. The first race was certainly not an easy task for tacticians, who had to look for each and every shift and puff of wind.

Once again it was the Swiss team of Near Miss, led by Bertrand Pacè with Tanguy Cariou as tactician to set the pace, while Roma GP42.2, helmed by Paolo Cian with Sébastien Col calling tactics and Madrid, with Olympic champion José Maria Van der Ploeg as skipper and Philippe Presti as tactician alternated in second and third place. Yet Roma GP42.2 didn’t seem particularly at ease downwind and progressively lost ground, while its rivals Canarias Puerto Calero and Caser Quum, with José Maria Ponce and Sergio Llorca helming respectively, overtook them,

Near Miss crossed the finishing line with a healthy 20 seconds margin showing an excellent consistency no matter the breeze, both upwind and downwind, and increasing its lead in the event’s standing. Madrid finished second, followed by fellow countrymen Canarias Puerto Calero and Caser Quum. Fifth was Roma GP42.2, sixth Desafio and seventh were Italians onboard Airis.

As the breeze increased to 14 knots, the Committee decided to go for a second race a few minutes later than 17 hours. Despite the fresher wind, Near Miss’ sailing was almost a photocopy of what they did earlier. Leading from the very start, the Swiss/French team dictated their rule, leaving all the competitors behind and closing with an impressive one minute advantage on the rest of the fleet. Roberto Monti’s Airis was able to defend its second place from an inspired José Maria Van der Ploeg on Madrid, showing again a good speed downwind. Unfortunately not the same can be said of Roma GP42.2 that could only finish sixth behind the two Spanish teams of Caser Quum and Desafio. Last were the young crew from the Canary Island of Canarias Puerto Calero.

After todays’ racing Near Miss is then on top of both the provisional scoreboard of Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE and the QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup with a four-points lead on Desafio.

Quote of the day:

José Maria Van der Ploeg – skipper and owner – Madrid

“We are gradually getting to know the boat. We have a lot of problems upwind, especially in order to get the boat to the speeds of the other boats, mainly the non-Spanish teams. To tell the truth this is tough and we are suffering a lot. Nevertheless we have been able to analyze where the problems are and we are getting the feedback that will make us more competitive. Today, our tactician Philippe Presti, was right to the point, very conservative and the whole crew made an excellent job, especially downwind. We have slightly compensated the troubles we had upwind and we have been able to sail good races in the Copa del Rey so far.

At moments we sail very well but when there is a transitional situation we can’t maintain the rhythm. I think today was the first day we really fought hard, sailed well and made the correct tactical decisions. Even if a 2nd and 3rd place are good, we still have a long way to the optimum and we hope we’ll get better in the following days”

Provisional results after 5 races:

Boat Country Points (partial scores)

1. Near Miss – Switzerland – 10 points (6,1,1,1,1)

2. Airis – Italy – 19 points (1,7,2,7,2)

3. Desafio – Spain – 20 points (2,2,5,6,5)

4. Madrid – Spain – 20 points (7,4,4,2,3)

5. Roma GP42.2 – Italy – 23 points (4,5,3,5,6)

6. Canarias Puerto Calero – Spain – 24 points (5,3,6,3,7)

7. Caser Quum – Spain – 24 points (3,6,7,4,4)

QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup at the Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE Near Miss, Desafio and Airis battle for leadership on the first day

Palma de Mallorca, July, 29th 2008.It was a very intense fight what the Mallorcan waters hosted on the opening day of the QUEBRAMAR GP42 Cup fourth event: the Copa del Rey AUDI MAPFRE. Three races in fresh wind, quite choppy sea, some red flags flying and, most of all, a struggle to the last tack/gybe for the provisional leadership, undoubtedly boosting the morale of any crew racing in such a competitive class.

The first race, sailed on race course Bravo (as defined by the official sailing instructions the race areas rotate every day) started some minutes later than foreseen in order to let the local seabreeze, known as “Garbì” settle. Actually during the first two legs the wind was quite shifty, forcing the Committee to make some adjustments to the course.

For this reason the situation on the sailing area witnessed many changes to the provisional scoreboard, except for the Italian team on Airis, skippered by Sandro Montefusco, who showed a very clean strategy and were able to stay in the top group for the whole duration and closing first, distancing Desafio, helmed by Laureano Wizner, by only a mere two seconds. Third was Javier Goizueta’s Caser Quum with Andalusian helmsman Sergio Llorca. Fourth crossed the Italians of Roma GP42.2, led by match-racing ace Paolo Cian and Sèbastien Col calling tactics, followed by the young team from the Canary Islands, Canarias Puerto Calero, who despite an excellent start were forced to make a penalty for touching the second top mark. In sixth closed Near Miss, with America’s Cup icons Bertrand Pacè and Tom Schnackenberg, and seventh was Jose Maria Van der Ploeg’s Madrid.

The starting signal for the second race was fired by the Race Committee just after 14.40, on the usual 2 miles long windward/leeward course, and a good breeze that topped 18/20 knots. It was here that the Swiss Near Miss took its revenge, feeling at ease in stronger breeze and leading for the whole race, thus getting its first win at the Copa del Rey. Trying to fight back were Canarias Puerto Calero, Desafio, Roma GP42.2. Unfortunately provisional scoreboard leader Airis touched a mark and had to make a penalty turn, leaving hopes of a second daily win. According to the spectators on the water the last downwind leg was extremely exciting with three intense gybing duels between Desafio and Canarias, Madrid and Roma GP42.2, Caser Quum and Airis respectively, who crossed the finish line in this order.

Thanks to the wind still blowing well over 18 knots the Committee members decided to give a third start, the signal fired a few minutes after 16 hours. Again Farr designed Near Miss showed all its potential in fresh wind, leading from the start and close battling with its rivals onboard Italian Umberto Felci’s design Airis and Roma GP42.2 to play the third main actor up to the first windward mark where the Italians had a problem hoisting the spinnaker. The positions then stayed unchanged until the finish with the Swiss taking their second win in a row, the two Italian teams, followed by Spanish Madrid and Desafio, who had to leave the provisional leadership of the event. Last were Canarias Puerto Calero and Caser Quum.

Provisional results after 3 races – Protests pending:

Boat Country Points

1. Near Miss – Switzerland – 8 points

2. Desafio – Spain – 9 points

3. Airis – Italy – 10 points

4. Roma GP42.2 – Italy – 12 points

5. Canarias Puerto Calero – Spain – 14 points

6. Madird – Spain – 15 points

7. Caser Quum – Spain – 16 points