Copa del Rey Mapfre - Day 3 on the Bay of Palma

by Paul Cayard on 7 Aug 2014 Paul Cayard, sailing onboard Robertissima, reports on the action from the coastal race at the 33rd Copa del Rey Mapfre.

Today’s race was the 'coastal' race. This meant sailing a few laps around the Bay of Palma. The conditions continued the same as all week, sunny, hot and 10 knots of wind from the south-southwest.

We did not have a great start and were last at the first mark of the course. Bella Mente had the lead since the start and never relinquished it. The boat was going well so we were patient and found some opportunities. We managed to get into second place about half way through the race.

The marks for the coastal race are variable and not in place at the start or even when you start a given leg. Sailing up the third windward leg, our team misunderstood the range and bearing to variable mark two which is communicated by radio. We had understood 225 while the actual position was 205. We sailed for the 225 position and therefore 'over stood' the mark by a quarter of a mile. The loss of distance put us back into fourth place.

This sprung Bella Mente even further into the lead and let Alegre out into second.

Fortunately Shockwave was not having a great race, (we might have had something to do with that), and they finished third while we finished fourth.

So at the half way mark in the regatta, Shockwave is leading with 10 points, Robertissima is tied with Bella Mente for second on 14 points, Alegre is fourth with 15 and Spirit of Jethou is fifth on 22 points.

Needless to say, that very frustrating to give away so much distance and a very good score. However, we are sailing well and pretty fast. So we need to carry that with us into the last six races.

Tomorrow two races are on the card. Forecast is the same.

For complete results, click here.