Trofeo Conde de Godo - Azzurra maintains leadership

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 25 May 2013 At the Trofeo Conde de Godo, the TP52 of Yacht Club Costa Smeralda maintains its leadership despite a technical problem that put a strain on its performance during day two.

Two exciting races were held today on the waters off Barcelona under a fresh southerly breeze that started at 15 knots and increased to gusts that reached 25 knots during the day's second race. The strong winds and steep chop they created made conditions onboard the TP52's challenging and wet.

The first race was dominated from the start by Azzurra but a broken winch inevitably caused difficulties when gybing the huge gennaker, giving Ran, that was chasing close behind, the possibility to overtake in the last gybe a few meters from the finish line. The second race saw Azzurra recover well after an average start where she suffered from Interlodge's dirty air. The close battle with the race leader, Gladiator, and Ran during the first run reached its climax at the second windward mark: Azzurra, on starboard tack, couldn't avoid suffering from the errors of her competitors - which tacked early on the lay line - and found herself squeezed while Quantum was closing in, at full pace. Those two lost boat lengths proved fatal and Azzurra slipped to fourth place. Gladiator went on to take the race, followed by Quantum and Ran. It was a difficult day for Alberto Roemmers’ yacht but positive overall.

Guillermo Parada, skipper: 'I think we had two good races. Unfortunately, the few errors we committed and the small breakages we suffered resulted in a score table that doesn't reflect how we sailed. The important factor is that Quantum haven't been able to gain any points on us.'

Vasco Vascotto, tactician: 'In the first race we finished second instead of first. The winch problem will be resolved, these are things that can happen. The second race hurts more because we paid the price of errors that others committed. However, I find very positive the fact that in a tough day our point tally is equal to that of our direct pursuers.'

52 Super Series, Trofeo Conde de Godò Barcelona, results after five races

1. Azzurra (ITA) 11 Pts
2. Quantum Racing (USA) 12 Pts
3. Ran (SWE) 13 Pts
4. Gladiator (GBR) 23 Pts
5. Interlodge (USA) 23 Pts
6. Provezza 7 (TUR) 29 Pts
7. Rio (USA) 29 Pts

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