2015 Copa del Rey Mapfre - Back to back wins

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 5 Aug 2015 The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's TP 52 has started the Copa del Rey, the fourth event in the 52 Super Series, with a fabulous double win. Alegre gets two second places while Quantum and Platoon each finished third.

The 34th edition of the prestigious Copa del Rey Mapfre couldn’t have gotten off to a better start for Azzurra. It was a perfect day with two first place finishes.

The racing started punctually at 1:00 PM in southwesterly breezes at between 10 to 15 knots despite a rain shower earlier in the day that could have put off the thermal breezes that the Palma Bay is so famous for. In the first race Azzurra was in the lead right from her perfect start, a real masterpiece. Skipper Guillermo Parada managed to get a clean start on the pin after fighting off Quantum who was left a bit behind. During the race Azzurra increased her lead uncontested. Second place for Alegre, third for Quantum.

The second race was harder fought. Azzurra got a clean start towards the left, the better side of the course. She then rounded all marks in the lead after a bit of a fight with Alegre who had a good day but nevertheless didn’t manage to pass the YCCS boat. Platoon finished third after inching out Quantum in a photo finish ending.

Tomorrow will see the 30nm coastal race; the course will be decided on the basis of the day’s breezes which are expected to be similar to today’s.

Alberto Roemmers, owner and helmsman: “We had a fantastic day with two perfect but hard fought races. Especially the second one when Alegre was recovering well on the first downwind leg and rounded the gate right next to us. But we held on to the lead and got a double win. There couldn’t be a better way to start the Copa del Rey.”

Guillermo Parada, Azzurra’s skipper: “It was a great day, unexpected for sure but it was one of those times when everything clicks. The whole team did a wonderful job, the starts were good, the boat speed was really nice, boat handling, maneuvers, positioning, tactics all great. We got two really good results but we know it’s not always going to be like this. We have to enjoy the moment and get ready for tomorrow, but this is a very nice way to start.”

Grant Loretz, trimmer: “We had a great day aboard Azzurra, the boat felt like it was going really, really well. We spent a bit of time on the rig tune and set up prior to both races and we felt like we had all the right gear in the right places and the boat was going the best it’s ever gone. From a speed point of view we had a great day.”

Tactician Vasco Vascotto: “We had a perfect day and I have to thank everyone for the good work. Starting with Guillermo who got two perfect starts that made the rest of the racing easier. We have to keep this up and get the most out of our momentum because before long things will get harder. Today our bowman Manu Caputo got injured and we hope he gets better right away, we really need him tomorrow.”


52 Super Series at 34th Copa del Rey Mapfre, Palma de Mallorca

Day one after two races

1 Azzurra, ITA (Pablo/Alberto Roemmers ARG) (1,1) 2pts
2 Alegre, GBR (Andres Soriano USA) (2,2) 4pts
3 Quantum Racing, USA (Doug DeVos USA) (3,4) 7pts
4 Platoon, GER (Harm Müller-Spreer GER) (6,3) 9pts
5 Sled, USA (Takashi Okura JPN) (5,7) 12pts
6 Provezza, TUR (Ergin Imre TUR) (4,11) 15pts
7 Bronenosec, RUS (Vladimir Liubomirov RUS) (10,5) 15pts
8 Gladiator, GBR (Tony Langley GBR) (11,6) 17pts
9 Spookie, USA (Steve Benjamin USA) (7,10) 17pts
10 Xio/Hurakan, ITA (Marco Serafini ITA) (9,8) 17pts
11 Paprec FRA (Jean-Luc Petithuguenin FRA) (8,9) 17pts