A thrilling day at the Settimana Delle Bocche

by Azzurra Sailing Team on 13 Jun 2015 With a thrilling photo finish ending to today’s race, Azzurra is now in second place at the Settimana delle Bocche just a day away from the end of the event.

Strong southwesterly winds predicted to increase during the course of the day changed today’s racing plans and a coastal race was replaced with a shorter course. There was a long wait with the AP flying on the YCCS clubhouse roof. Finally it was lowered at 14:30 and at 15:40 the boats began today’s only race: a windward/leeward course with winds at 20 to 28 knots. In these conditions the TP52s are at their best, surfing on the waves in downwind breezes at 20 knots and making breathtaking maneuvers. The battle between Quantum and Azzurra is an excellent example and saw the Americans first at the finish for no more than two meters. Pure adrenalin!

Gladiator was in the lead during the first upwind leg and for the whole downwind leg with Azzurra close on her heels. In the second upwind leg Azzurra captured the lead while the rest of the fleet changed positions in shifty winds. Provezza moved up to third place after passing Bronenosec, while Quantum, thanks to an unexpected wind shift to the left, managed to capture the lead rounding the second upwind mark.

The final downwind leg, in winds increasing to 25 to 28 knots, was very spectacular thanks also to the fight between Azzurra and Quantum. The American boat won, but only by a couple of meters. With this hard fought second place finish Azzurra is now in second place overall and just two points from the lead.

Racing is scheduled to begin at 10:30 tomorrow, the last day of the event, in conditions forecast to be similar to today’s.

Quotes of the day:

Skipper Guillermo Parada: “For sure a very nice day. Sailing this boat in 27, 28 knots of breeze is always very exciting. We had a very good race, we were always in control of the boat and always in the top positions. We were able to snatch the lead on the second beat and we were leading but nearly two minutes before the windward mark a big shift to the left came and Quantum was well positioned then we were second. We made another charge and got a nice shift and we arrived within a couple of meters of the first placed boat. I think it’s good, we sailed well, we proved to ourselves that we can control the boat and we’re in a good shape for the race tomorrow.'

Tactician Vasco Vascotto: “Today was a great day of sailing, even though we didn’t get that bit of luck that we deserved. We showed both ourselves and our competition that we know how to sail well, every team member gave his all, no mistakes and the boat was perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing and I’m very pleased with the team. We were at the lead during the second upwind leg, Quantum was fifth. They did well to catch the last puff on the left and get the lead. We recovered on the downwind leg and we covered them, but they managed to get a couple of meters ahead on the finish line by surfing a wave. They were luckier, but I think we sailed better. We’re at the head of the provisional results in the 52 Super Series. That’s no small feat even though the season is still long.”

52 Super Series - Settimana delle Bocche

Provisional results after six races

1. Quantum Racing, USA (Doug DeVos USA) (3,4,4,2,3,1) 17pts
2. Azzurra, ITA (Pablo/Alberto Roemmers ARG) (1,6,7,1,2,2) 19pts
3. Bronenosec, RUS (Vladimir Liubomirov RUS) (9,1,1,4,1,4) 20pts
4. Provezza, TUR (Ergin Imre TUR) (5,5,2,6,5,3) 26pts
5. Sled, USA (Takashi Okura JPN) (8,2,6,3,4,5) 28pts
6. Gladiator, GBR (Tony Langley GBR) (6,3,5,5,8,7) 34pts
7. Platoon, GER (Harm Müller-Spreer GER) (7,7,3,8,6,8) 39pts
8. Paprec FRA (Jean-Luc Petithuguenin FRA) (2,9,9,9,9,6) 44pts
9. Alegre, GBR (Andres Soriano USA) (4,8,8,7,7,DNC) 44pts

2015 Calendar 52 Super Series

18 to 23 May: Valencia (Spain)
8 to 13 June: Porto Cervo (Italy, Sardinia)
13 to 18 July: Puerto Portals (Spain, Mallorca)
3 to 8 August: Palma de Mallorca (Spain)
15 to 20 September: Cascais (Portugal)

AZZURRA

- Pablo and Alberto Roemmers - Owners
- Alberto Roemmers- Helm
- Guillermo Parada - Skipper
- Vasco Vascotto - Tactician
- Bruno Zirilli - Navigator
- Giovanni Cassinari - Mainsail
- Mariano Caputo - Bowman
- Juan Pablo Marcos - Midbow
- David Vera - Pitman
- Juan Meseguer - Trimmer
- Grant Loretz - Trimmer
- Mariano Parada - Trimmer
- Gabriel Marino - Grinder
- Alejandro Colla – Grinder
- Nicola Pilastro- Grinder
- Boat Captain: Pedro Rossi
- Coach: Guillermo Baquerizas
- Coach: Marco Capitani