Big boats dominate, Menorca Maxi, Nord Stream Race and more...

by Dan Ibsen, Sail-World Europe editor on 27 May 2014 The big boats are dominating the racing scene in Europe, with fantastic and spectacular events taking place at Capri and Menorca, and in the north Gazprom Swan 60 Circuit is about to start in St. Petersburg.

The Olympic Sailors tested their skills in Medemblik at the Delta Lloyd Regatta, as a part of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup.

For the 10th consecutive year, Capri hosted the Rolex Capri Sailing Week with six days of racing and attracted a truly international fleet of 21 boats from 11 different countries. Despite two days lost due to lack of wind, there was sufficient high quality racing to place three yachts at the top of their respective classes: Robertissima III (GBR) took Mini Maxi Racing, Good Job Guys (ITA) headed the podium in Mini Maxi Racing/Cruising and Azzurra (ITA) took the overall victory in TP52.

The Rolex Capri Sailing Week is always a special event. The first event in the Rolex’s Mediterranean yachting season, it always comprises different racing formats, and a selection of the most glamorous racing yachts in sport today. All set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian island of Capri. 12 Maxis and Mini Maxis arranging in length range from 18.29 to 30.5 metres, and nine TP52s. Teams from Austria, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the USA competed for the Caprese glory.

The inaugural Menorca Maxi saw the nine Wallys and three J-boats race under tough and tricky conditions.
In the Wally class, Antonio Cacace’s Magic Blue was the undisputed winner, already as a clear favorite into the last day. But the rest of the podium places were still up for grabs with three boats having a shot at second and third place. Winning the last race Magic Carpet3 secured second place and the battle was between Sensei and Galma, tied at 15 points. The two boats held a true match race, but Galma showed better speed downwind, took third place and secured the last podium place.

Among the three J-boats Lionheart were very dominant during the week, winning five straight wins to secure the regatta victor. Despite Lionheart’s unbeatable score sheet, there was yet more close racing for the Js on the final day in Mahon with only lengths separating the boats through most of the last race. Ranger finished second and Hanuman third. Impressive to watch these magnificent and well-restored old giants in close racing.

The Nord Stream Race is coming up and Team China is on track after a short build programme - to take part in the race for the first time. This will be the most progressive entry to the Gazprom Swan 60 Class since its inception three years ago. The Chinese team will race on board the newly launched Swan 60, named Windward, which will be skippered by America’s Cup Veteran, Lorenzo Bortolotti.

The success of Team Russia in 2013 has inspired Saint Petersburg Yacht Club to develop a second Russian team through an impressive youth development programme, the Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge.

The Swan 60s christen the start of the 2014 Gazprom Swan 60 Circuit on the 30th May racing 150 nautical miles offshore from Saint-Petersburg, Russia to Helsinki, Finland concluding leg one of the annual Nord Stream Race.

Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik gathered strong but not so large fleets in the second edition of the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup series. Olympic sailors from most of the world spend spring in Europe, competing in the European ISAF Sailing World Cup events, followed by the EUROSAF events, where the next two events after Garda and Medemblik will be the Sail for Gold Regatta at Weymouth and Portland UK and the Kieler Woche.

Most of the sailors, also from outside Europe, use the opportunity to sail 4-6 strong events in Europe during spring and until summer, including also European Championships, but this year there is a prime goal for all Olympic sailors, namely the ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander for all Olympic Classes in September. There will be a fierce competition for both the podium places for the world championships, but also for the first 50% of the nation quota places for the 2016 Olympics.

Good Sailing !