Quantum gets nearer to victory at Audi Sailing Week 52 Super Series

by YCCS on 24 Jun 2017 It was the second to last day of racing at the Audi Sailing Week -52 Super Series organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda with the support of Title Sponsor Audi.

The four days of racing so far have been suspenseful and have seen several TP52 teams alternate in the leading positions. After today's racing the provisional results see Quantum Racing in first place followed by a new entry: Provezza IX in second place and Rán Racing in third.

The fleet started a coastal race at noon in northwesterly winds at 17 to 20 knots. The course followed a long beat from the Passo delle Bisce to the Spargi Island, passing La Maddalena to starboard and Punta Sardegna to port. After passing Spargi to starboard the fleet retraced their earlier course and finished in front of Porto Cervo.

The Turkish team aboard Provezza IX, with America's Cup veteran Peter Holmberg as helmsman, has gained positions and could be closing in on an almost certain of a podium finish. They are currently in second place overall at this event, just two points behind the first placed team, Quantum. Today Quantum's American team had to battle with Azzurra, who, after a first moment of difficulty, managed to fight back and finish second. Rán Racing is currently in third place overall after finishing today's race in fifth place.

Nacho Postigo, navigator aboard Provezza IX: 'Today we got a good start and we sailed well, our tactical calls were spot on. We were clear and decided and got what we wanted. Vasco Vascotto and his team did well today too, they got an excellent recovery after choosing the right side and they were closing in on us. Coming back down from La Maddalena, Quantum was getting closer, but we kept the situation under control. This is our first victory in this season, thanks also to Peter Holmberg at the helm.'

Vasco Vascotto, Azzurra's tactician: 'Today we sailed well and showed our winning personality. We didn't get the greatest start and were forced to fight with Platoon and Ràn in the Cannigione gulf. We sailed with gusto and never gave up and were rewarded at the finish were we got the wind shift right: from northwesterly to thermal from the south. This let us recover a position and a point, but in reality we were only consolidating the result of the good work done earlier.'

The event will end tomorrow, June 25th, so expect a fight to the finish. The start is scheduled for 12 noon and winds are predicted to be from the northwest at 20 to 25 knots.