Audi MedCup - Mean Machine and Quantum lead

by Event media on 3 Jul 2008
After a second day of regular, consistent sea breezes on the Gulf of Cagliari Mean Machine hold the regatta lead by just one point, while two wins by Quantum Racing earned them the overall Circuit lead and leaves them a close second to Mean Machine going into the Coastal Race.

A pair of well won victories on the Gulf of Cagliari by Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew of the Quantum Racing not only earned the American boat the overall lead on the Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 today, but sees them just one point behind Mean Machine (MON) the leaders of this Audi Region of Sardinia Trophy regatta.

While Mean Machine posted a second and third from an interesting day’s racing which, despite the slightly one sided courses, proved a good test of starting, upwind and downwind strategies, Quantum’s two near identical starts and the ability to earn the lion’s share of the favored right early in both races, was the key to their twin successes today.

Quantum showed good speed throughout the day over both races which were sailed in 11-15 knots of what is proving a consistently reliable sea-breeze, reliable to the point that some crews might be really looking forward to new challenges of tomorrow’s coastal race, and to Friday when a change in the wind direction and conditions is forecast.

For Hutchinson, tactician Chris Larson (USA) and crew three wins from five starts is a welcome reward for the hard work they have been putting in since Marseille last month. The team on the green and black hulled Botin & Carkeek design have been addressing their perceived weaknesses.

In particular today their starting was pin sharp in terms of time on distance and speed off the line, but their positioning, such that they did not risk being compromised at the busy committee boat end, was equally surefooted.

As is their policy this season, Quantum Racing were the first boat out on the Gulf here, training since last Thursday.

The remarkably consistent string of results for Jose Cusi’s Bribon (ESP) was upset for the first time today. Their seventh in the first race, followed by Bribon’s first double figures score of the season, 11th in the second contest, meant they concede the overall Circuit lead to Quantum. Bribon were squeezed out on the finish line by the Russians on Rusal Synergy and had to bear away, gybe and approach again but lost only one boat in the porcess.

While Quantum won their second gun of the day Roberto Bermudez (ESP) and the team on CxG Caixa Galicia (ESP) proved they are getting to grips with the substitute boat they have while theirs is being repaired when they took a confidence boosting second place - equaling their best finish of the season in Marseille.

And in the first race Paul Cayard (USA) drove El Desafio (ESP) to third behind Mean Machine.

Going into tomorrow’s Coastal Race, which effectively offers double points, the top two boats have already built a decent points cushion in the quest for the Audi Region of Sardinia Trophy. After five races Bribon lies in third place, 17 points behind Quantum.

Audi Region of Sardinia Trophy. - Results after five races:

1. Mean Machine MON (1,4,1,2,3, 11)
2. Quantum Racing USA (3,1,6, 1,1,12)
3. Bribón ESP (4,2,5, 7,11,29 )
4. Artemis SWE (9,5,4,5,7,30)
5. Mutua Madrileña ESP (2,11,7,8,4,32)
6. Matador ARG (7,8,3,6,8,32)
7. El Desafío ESP (6, 7, 11,3,6,33)
8. Platoon by Team Germany GER (5,10,8,9,5, 37)
9. Caixa Galicia ESP (12,9,9,10,2,42)
10. Audi powered by Q8 ITA (8,3,10,12,10,43)

Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 - After 21 races in Alicante, Marseille and CAGLIARI

1. Quantum Racing USA 104
2. Bribón ESP 109,2
3. Artemis SWE 122
4. Mean Machine MON 130
5. Platoon by Team Germany GER 136
6. Matador ARG 149
7. El Desafío ESP 168
8. Mutua Madrileña ESP 183,4

http://2008.medcup.org/results