MedCup Conde de Godo Trophy - Azzurra in top three

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 17 Sep 2011 The Audi MedCup Conde de Godo Trophy has two races set for tomorrow and Audi Azzurra currently sits in third place behind Bribon and Quantum, who consolidated their leadership with first and second place finishes today.

The seas off the Catalan capital saw another light air day and flashes of brilliance from Audi Azzurra Sailing Team who led the fleet on several occasions but were only able to produce two fifth place finishes, putting more distance between them and circuit leader Quantum Racing, now 20 points ahead. Second-placed Bribon is 5.5 points ahead of Azzurra while Container is close behind.

In the first race of the day a penalty requiring a 360° turn from Azzurra on the first windward leg, where she held second place, saw the Italian boat slip back in the fleet. In the second, truly thrilling race, it was the final downwind leg that proved fatal when the umpires on the water decided not to accept Azzurra's protest against Bribon's tactics which would have cost the Spanish team a 360° turn. In a heart-stopping finish only nine seconds separated the boats holding third to sixth place: Audi by All4One, Synergy, Azzurra and Bribon respectively.

'We had technically perfect and tactically correct starts in both races,' said tactician Vasco Vascotto, 'we always tacked at the best time, we certainly made an error of judgement which cost us a penalty but, above all, when we raised the flag, a penalty was not awarded.'

'It was a bittersweet day,' commented skipper Guillermo Parada, 'with good tactical decisions but we were always missing something to round the first mark in the lead. We made some mistakes, which we paid for, on the other hand we are frustrated that our rivals were not in turn penalised. Nevertheless we are third in the overall classification and we have the possibility to fight for second place.'

Tactician Francesco Bruni on today's races: 'We didn't take advantage of the possibilities we had, after excellent starts and spot-on tactics we made mistakes in boat to boat situations. When we risked having to pay, we paid, when the tables were turned we didn't get to exploit that.'

Tomorrow the final two windward-leeward races of the 2011 Audi MedCup are scheduled. The next appointment for the TP52s and their supporters will be at the Audi TP52 World Championship organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 2nd to 8th October in Azzurra's home waters.

Audi Azzurra Sailing Team website
Audi MedCup website