2014 Off Valparaíso Race - Day 1

by Soto 40 on 18 Oct 2014 The Soto 40s were back on the scene today with the Off Valparaíso Race, first stage of the Soto 40 South American Tour. In the first day of competition the boats completed three races and Eduardo Souza Ramos’ Phoenix achieved top position overall with six points, followed by Jorge Araneda’s Santander, Jaime Charad’s Apolonia and Dag Von Appen’s Itaú, all of them with 10 points.

Finally Soto 40 fleet was back in action, proving again an excellent competition level in every crew and equality of conditions in every boat. Today the teams completed their races in the Valparaíso bay with clear sky and a 13 knots W wind that then moved to the WNW.

The first race of the championship started at 14 hrs CLST. Dag Von Appen’s Itaú reached the first mark firstly, but in the leeward mark Santander overcame it. The boat property of Jorge Araneda made a great race and took an important advantage in the water before crossing the finish line in first position. Jaime Charad’s Apolonia and Itaú arrived second and third place, respectively.

The second triumph of the day was for Eduardo Souza Ramos’ Phoenix. Souza Ramos is a Brazilian skipper that has joined the South American circuit that will carry the boats to Chile, Uruguay and Brazil. Horacio Pavez’s Mitsubishi arrived after it, improving its performance after the first race in which it achieved a seven position. Itaú crossed the finish line thirdly, adding another three points.

The third race started at 4:35 pm CLST, after annulling a first start due to an important gust. The fleet started with a nine knots WNW wind, headed by Phoenix, which managed to tack all the marks first position and achieved another victory. After it arrived Santander and then Apolonia.

The Off Valparaíso Race will last until Sunday October 19th at the Yacht Club de Chile, located in Recreo. This is the oldest race in Chile organized by the Arturo Prat Naval School and there eight Soto 40s competing in it: 'Apolonia', 'Estampa del Viento', 'Itaú', 'Mitsubishi', 'Phoenix', 'Pisco Black', 'Reloaded' and 'Santander'.