The Copa del Rey started with a third and first place for Quebramar-Chrysler in the opening day’s two races. The boat crewed by Desafío Español’s America’s Cup sailors is now first, closely followed by Zurich and Canarias Puerto Calero.

The Quebramar-Chrysler, helmed by Laureano Wizner, maintains its leadership after scoring a third and first place in the first two races of the Copa del Rey. In the start of the first race the two Italian boats, Roma and Seawonder 007, were over the line early and got penalized. Canarias Puerto Calero started from the pin end of the line and with clear air was leading the fleet at the top mark. Movistar of Pedro Campos was closely behind, despite its poor start, and Fermax was following at third place. There was no change in the first two positions but the Fermax crew lost their concentration and slipped back three positions, handing third place to Quebramar Chrysler in the second beat. The final classification remained unchanged in the last leg.

In the second race, Fermax started in an excellent manner, placing themselves ahead of the fleet, after opting for the left side of the race course. Quebramar-Chrsyler and Zurich would follow them closely behind and it seemed that after a mediocre first race, Zurich had reacted. As a result, Fermax was unable to hold on to their leadership and were overtaken by Quebramar-Chrysler and Zurich in that order. Once again, the boat crewed by Desafío Español sailors proved their superiority and grabbed the overall leadership, two points ahead of Zurich, helmed by Jordi Calafat, and three ahead of Canarias Puerto Calero, that was a poor sixth in the second race. Fourth overall is Movistar who suffered from a breakage in its electronics during the day’s second race.

Quotes

Laureano Wizner, helmsman of Quebramar-Chrysler: It was a difficult day due to the unstable wind conditions that resulted in stressful races that kept us constantly tensed. In the first race we had a good start, unlike the second one. Fortunately, Santi Lopez-Vazquez did an excellent job in calling tacticts and we were able to overtake Fermax, the leaders of the race till that point.

Provisional Classification after 2 races
1. Quebramar-Chrysler 4 points (3+1)
2. Zurich 6 points (4+2)
3. Canarias Puerto Calero 7 points (1+6)
4. Movistar 9 points (2+7)
5. Fermax 9 points (6+3)
6. Quum Marketing 9 points (5+4)
7. Roma 12 points (7+5)
8. Seawonder 007 16 points (8+8)
9. AA HPB 18 points (9+9)
10. Totalboats 22 points (11+11)

Quebramar-Chrysler leading the GP42 class at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Quebramar-Chrysler leading the GP42 class at the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

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The day’s second race was even more exciting than the first one as Siemens and Mutua Madrileña had an all out battle, alternating leadership throughout the race. A small error on the final run aboard Vasco Vascotto’s boat handed the victory to Siemens that overtook them and crossed the finish line a mere 5 seconds ahead.

There were two general recalls before the race started at the third attempt. Since there was no clear favored side on the starting line, the fleet split up in two packed groups at each end, making it impossible for the race committee to clearly see the boats over the line. Peter Reggio, the principal race officer, took no chances and recalled the fleet twice.

Siemens and Mutua Madrileña lead since the start and were neck and neck throughout the race. The victory was decided on the final stretch of the final leg, where Paul Cayard calling tactics on Siemens, correctly chose the left side of the course, picking up better pressure. A fierce battle also took place for third position between Platoon and Bribón, with the Spanish winning it by 5 seconds.

After the fist two races of the event it is clear that racing is very close and the importance of the first leg can never be exaggerated, especially the approach at the first top mark. A couple of tens of meters can make the difference between 5th and 15th.

Start of the second race of the first day of the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

RUSAL-Synergy on the first beat. The Russian team had a very difficult first day. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valle Romano – Mean Machine in the first beat. Peter de Ridder’s boat had a disastrous second race, finishing eleventh. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens was leading the race at the top mark, followed by Mutua Madrileña and Platoon. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet at the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Once again, crew work aboard CAM was far from flawless. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The presence of Russell Coutts aboard Artemis didn’t guarantee great results. The Swedish boat rounded the top mark 15th. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The TP52 fleet in the first run. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The battle between Siemens and Mutua Madrileña for leadership was fierce. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Paul Cayard was calling tactics on Siemens. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon, helmed by Jochen Schuemman, was third in the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of the numerous close situations at the top mark and proof of the importance that 10 meters can have in a boat’s ranking. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the final leg, the race was still extremely close. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens grabs victory from Mutua Madrileña in the final stretch. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

The day’s second race was even more exciting than the first one as Siemens and Mutua Madrileña had an all out battle, alternating leadership throughout the race. A small error on the final run aboard Vasco Vascotto’s boat handed the victory to Siemens that overtook them and crossed the finish line a mere 5 seconds ahead.

There were two general recalls before the race started at the third attempt. Since there was no clear favored side on the starting line, the fleet split up in two packed groups at each end, making it impossible for the race committee to clearly see the boats over the line. Peter Reggio, the principal race officer, took no chances and recalled the fleet twice.

Siemens and Mutua Madrileña lead since the start and were neck and neck throughout the race. The victory was decided on the final stretch of the final leg, where Paul Cayard calling tactics on Siemens, correctly chose the left side of the course, picking up better pressure. A fierce battle also took place for third position between Platoon and Bribón, with the Spanish winning it by 5 seconds.

After the fist two races of the event it is clear that racing is very close and the importance of the first leg can never be exaggerated, especially the approach at the first top mark. A couple of tens of meters can make the difference between 5th and 15th.

Start of the second race of the first day of the Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

RUSAL-Synergy on the first beat. The Russian team had a very difficult first day. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valle Romano – Mean Machine in the first beat. Peter de Ridder’s boat had a disastrous second race, finishing eleventh. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens was leading the race at the top mark, followed by Mutua Madrileña and Platoon. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The rest of the fleet at the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Once again, crew work aboard CAM was far from flawless. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The presence of Russell Coutts aboard Artemis didn’t guarantee great results. The Swedish boat rounded the top mark 15th. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The TP52 fleet in the first run. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The battle between Siemens and Mutua Madrileña for leadership was fierce. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Paul Cayard was calling tactics on Siemens. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon, helmed by Jochen Schuemman, was third in the top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of the numerous close situations at the top mark and proof of the importance that 10 meters can have in a boat’s ranking. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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Mutua Madrilena takes the lead after day one of the TP52 racing at the Copa del Rey Camper Audi

Original post by Bruce McLeod and software by Elliott Back

Vasco Vascotto and his Mutua Madrileña team opened the 2007 Copa del Rey races of the TP52 class with a very important victory. Racing started after an one-hour delay with the left being the favored side and many holes in wind patterns that made the difference. Platoon, helmed by Alinghi’s Jochen Schuemann, lead the race from the start although Mutua Madrileña and Siemens were closely behind them. The race’s turning point took place at the leeward gate where Platoon made the wrong tactical decision and gave up leadership in the second beat. Mutua Madrileña lead the race from there on while Caixa Galicia recovered nicely and crossed the finish line third.

Start of the first TP52 race of the 2007 Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the first TP52 race of the 2007 Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Patches tacking during the first upwind leg. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens had a clean start on the left and remained third throughout the first race. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

American newcomer Glory had difficult start but finally recovered to tenth. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Helmed by Alinghi’s Jochen Schuemann, the German boat Platoon was leading the fleet at the first mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish CAM, a 2007-generation boat, languishes in the middle of the score table. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet starts the first downwind leg. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon was still leading the race at the approach of the leeward gate, followed by Mutua Madrileña and Siemens. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Caixa Galicia kept gaining positions and rounded the leeward gate at 4th place. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valle Romano – Mean Machine didn’t live up to the high expectations. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Close situation such as this between Valars and Anonimo Q8 are the rule at the leeward gate. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the 2nd top mark, Mutua Madrileña had gained leadership of the race. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens held on to their 3rd position at the 2nd top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña sails towards their first victory. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Excellent recovery by Caixa Galicia that finishes second. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon was unable to recover the leadership and finished fourth. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Even after an hour of racing, the finish was close in the middle of the fleet. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Vasco Vascotto and his Mutua Madrileña team opened the 2007 Copa del Rey races of the TP52 class with a very important victory. Racing started after an one-hour delay with the left being the favored side and many holes in wind patterns that made the difference. Platoon, helmed by Alinghi’s Jochen Schuemann, lead the race from the start although Mutua Madrileña and Siemens were closely behind them. The race’s turning point took place at the leeward gate where Platoon made the wrong tactical decision and gave up leadership in the second beat. Mutua Madrileña lead the race from there on while Caixa Galicia recovered nicely and crossed the finish line third.

Start of the first TP52 race of the 2007 Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of the first TP52 race of the 2007 Copa del Rey. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Patches tacking during the first upwind leg. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens had a clean start on the left and remained third throughout the first race. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

American newcomer Glory had difficult start but finally recovered to tenth. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Helmed by Alinghi’s Jochen Schuemann, the German boat Platoon was leading the fleet at the first mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Spanish CAM, a 2007-generation boat, languishes in the middle of the score table. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bottom of the fleet starts the first downwind leg. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Platoon was still leading the race at the approach of the leeward gate, followed by Mutua Madrileña and Siemens. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Caixa Galicia kept gaining positions and rounded the leeward gate at 4th place. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valle Romano – Mean Machine didn’t live up to the high expectations. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Close situation such as this between Valars and Anonimo Q8 are the rule at the leeward gate. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the 2nd top mark, Mutua Madrileña had gained leadership of the race. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Siemens held on to their 3rd position at the 2nd top mark. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mutua Madrileña sails towards their first victory. Palma, 31 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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