Quantum Racing win Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 title

by Event media on 20 Sep 2008
The Quantum Racing crew came ashore today at the Marina of Portimao having secured the overall Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 title. Terry Hutchinson and the crew of the American boat Quantum Racing won the Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 with a day to spare in Portimao, Portugal when only one race could be completed on the penultimate day of the Portugal Trophy Regatta.

As the breeze fell away to force the abandonment of the second race today, Race 7, and then precluded any further competition it meant Quantum Racing had built an unassaibale lead of 52.2 points over second placed Bribon with no more than three races possible Saturday for the 15 boat fleet.

Since Alicante in May, at each of the six regattas this season in Spain, France and Italy, skipper-helm Hutchinson (USA) has spoken only of the end goal, of lifting the Audi MedCup Trophy in Portimao and today that win line was breached. Along the way Quantum Racing won the Region of Sardinia Trophy in Italy and the Breitling Regatta in Puerto Portals, Mallorca.

After a few celebratory team ‘Cervezas’ Hutchinson, tactician Morgan Larson (USA), navigator Ian Moore (GBR/IRL), strategist Mark Mendelblatt (USA) and the Circuit winning crew will bid to add the Portugal Trophy to their silverware.

The 2008 Audi MedCup Champions elect lie second by four points behind Alberto Roemmers’ Matador.

Consistency in this white hot TP52 fleet is acknowledged to have been even more difficult to achieve this season, but Hutchinson confirmed that Quantum Racing’s average score coming in to this regatta was 4.1 and until they came to the Algarve only twice had they finished in 10th or worse.

'It feels unbelievable! We have worked really hard all season and it is a culmination of this effort' said a delighted Hutchinson on the dock, 'The last two regattas for sure have been the hardest because we have been defending a fairly healthy lead and you always have in the back of your mind that one or two little mistakes cost a lot of points. So I cant tell you how relieved I am to tell you we have done this with a day to spare.'

Quantum Racing’s win may have stolen the thunder from the final day of the season, but there should still be no shortage of drama. Not only do the on-form Matador have a slender hold on the Portugal Trophy, but they have crept up to be just 15.8 points behind second placed Bribon, and Platoon powered by Team Germany’s run of 2,1,1 has taken them to 17 points behind fourth placed Artemis (SWE).

Platoon powered by Team Germany skippered by Jochen Schuemann won the only race Friday.

Three races are planned for Saturday with a planned start sequence counting down from 11:00hrs.

Portugal Trophy - Overall standings after six races

1. Matador ARG (8,5,10,1,2,2) 28
2. Quantum USA (4,8,1,6,10,3) 32
3. Platoon powered by Team Germany (11,10,8,2,1,1) 33
4. El Desafio ESP (10,2,3,7,3,9) 34
5. CXG Corporación Caixa Galicia ESP (7,3,9,2,13,4) 39
6. Bribón ESP (1,11,12,5,4,10) 43
7. Mutua Madrileña ESP (12,4,5,8,9,6) 44
8. Synergy RUS (9,1,4,14,5,12) 45
9. Audi Q8 ITA(2,9,2,15,6,13) 47
10. Tau Andalucía Esp (3,14,6,13,14,5) 55

Complete results: http://2008.medcup.org/results/venue.php?trophy=6

Audi MedCup Circuit 2008 - Standings after 51 races

1. Quantum Racing USA 247
2. Bribón ESP 299,2
3. Matador ARG 315
4. Artemis SWE 326
5. Platoon by Team Germany GER 343
6. Mutua Madrileña ESP 369,4
7. El Desafío ESP 386
8. CxG Corporación Caixa Galicia ESP 443,6
9. Audi Q8 ITA 498
10. Mean Machine MON 587