2015 Copa del Rey – Fight to the finish

by Azzurra Sailing Team on 3 Aug 2015 The Copa del Rey, a Palma classic, will see the TP 52 fleet fight to the finish of this, the fourth event in the 52 Super Series. Azzurra is currently in first place after having won the World Championship at the previous event in the series.

The 34th edition of the Copa del Rey will see a record fleet of 136 boats from 23 different nations competing. The fleet will be divided into eight different Classes. Some Classes will start racing today while the most eagerly awaited Class, the TP 52s, will start racing tomorrow and will finish on August 8th.

Just a couple of weeks ago in Majorca, Azzurra won the 52 World Championship, the third event in the 52 Super Series, held in Puerto Portals. The boat flying the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s burgee consolidated her lead in the 52 Super Series at this event and currently is 34 points ahead overall on the second placed boat, Sled, and is 38 points ahead of the third placed boat, Quantum.

Azzurra is heading into the 34th Copa del Rey in top form both in terms of her team and in terms of the boat’s tuning. But nothing can be left to chance. Azzurra’s competition is strong and determined, especially Quantum which will once again have Terry Hutchinson aboard. The 11 teams racing are all top level and there is a rookie to watch amongst them: Spookie (ex Interlodge) helmed by Steve Benjamin, former 470 Class LA Olympic silver medalist. Peter Holmberg is their tactician.

Guillermo Parada, Azzurra’s skipper had these words: “We all have the same chances of winning and we will give it our all. We have lots of memories from Palma, some good, others less so, but we came here to win the Copa del Rey sailing as if each day were the first in the season. When you start speculating you can only go backwards. We do not look the points yet as we want to win Copa del Rey. The only worry coming to Palma is if you are slow and we have no big worries this season.”

On the day before racing tactician Vasco Vascotto had these words: “The Copa del Rey is a prestigious race that everybody wants to win, but it’s also an important event in the 52 Super Series. We have to concentrate on the final objective: winning the entire circuit. But winning at this event wouldn’t be bad either!”

Racing will start on August 4th at 1:00 PM. The week will see windward/leeward races in the Palma Bay and a coastal race is scheduled for August 5th. Forecasts are for thermal breezes from seven to about 16 knots until Thurdsay.

52 Super Series Season Rankings Overall

1 Azzurra, ITA 110pts
2 Sled, USA 144pts
3 Quantum Racing, USA 148pts
4 Bronenosec, RUS 151pts
5 Alegre, GBR 155pts
6 Provezza, TUR 161pts
8 Platoon, GER 168pts
7 Rán Racing, SWE 171pts
9 Gladiator, GBR 230pts
10 Paprec FRA 242pts
11 Xio/Hurakan, ITA 265pts
12 Interlodge, USA 279pts
13 Phoenix, BRA 284pts