John Bassadone's Vértigo wins the Copa de España

by Sabrina Bonaiti on 1 Mar 2010 After three races, John Bassadone's 'Vértigo' of is the winner of the 'Copa de España Platu 25' that took place in Marbella (South of Spain) form the 26th to the 28th of February.

The final result is surprising and confirms that nothing is to take for granted in the nautical sport. The World Champions Carlos and Anton Paz (L.C. Vilagarcia) on board of 'Mexillon de Galicia' had to accept a disappointing second place, followed by Alvaro de Haro's 'Mundo Marino 25' with Diego Fructuoso at the helm.

Today Eolo wasn't generous and the race had to be suspended. The same happened on Friday when the race was cut off. Just on Saturday the weather recompensed the thirty Platu 25 crews gathered in Marbella for the Cup.

On Saturday, indeed, the boats could competed three out of four scheduled races thanks to more favourable weather conditions. So, with a wind flowing from East, turning from 85° to 150° in the third races, the crews had to face continuous manoeuvres and fast direction changes.

In these peculiar conditions, the best was 'Vértigo' of John Bassadone, a local team of the Yacht Club of Marbella. His constancy and his good results (sixth place in the first race was his worst position, then fourth and second) surprisingly gave him a good advantage on 'Mexillon de Galicia' of the Champions Carlos and Anton Paz (L.C. Vilagarcia) – the eve's favorites - who obtained two first place in the first and in the second race but slipped back after a 13th place in the third.

Today an exciting challenge between the local boat 'Vértigo' of John Bassadone and the favourite 'Mexillon de Galicia' of the World Champions Carlos and Anton Paz (L.C. Vilagarcia) was expected. But the weather didn't allow them to fight in the water and the provisional results became definitive.

The third place is for 'Mundo Marino 25' of Alvaro de Haro (first boat of the Comunitat Valenciana in the ranking list). The 'HST Korn-Windows' of Dany Cuevas form Andalucìa confirmed to be very fit with a good fourth place (first of the Andalusìa fleet).

'Bribón-Movistar' of Marc de Antonio, one of the best Spanish crew in Marbella, arrived only fifth and had to accept the disappointing result.

'Servimil' and 'Renault', third and first last year, weren't as brilliant as in the 2009 edition: in this occasion they arrived sixth and seventh. 'Fermax' of Daniel Maestre Azcon is eighth followed by 'Recrea2 Medilevel' of Ignacio Campos Manero. 'ICSA Recursos Humanos' closes the group of the first ten classified.

Of course, the enthusiasm is at the top on board of 'Vértigo'. 'It's surprising that we are the champions of the Spanish Cup – remarked the owner John Bassadone – 'but this is what is enjoyable in sail. Whoever can become favourite and we worked hard during the three races on Saturday; we were regulars and there was a good harmony between the members of the crew (Óliver Góngora, Antonio Miguel Sel, José María Guerrero and Álvaro Martínez) , although we met just a few hours before the start!'

Fernando Lago, the organsier of the Spanish Platu 25 class is satisfied: 'This regatta gathered more and more Platu 25 and Marbella confirmed to be perfect in organizing events like the 'Copa de España' . The regatta was a real success and Marbella is getting ready to host other prestigious regattas like the Spanish Championship and other International events'.


www.platu25.com