Region of Sardinia Trophy 2011 – Light and shifty fifth for Azzurra

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 23 Jul 2011 Audi MedCup Region of Sardinia Trophy 2011 has experienced a breeze less Gulf of the Angels which led to the fleet being placed on hold until 5 p.m. to begin the only race of the day. Things started out well for Azzurra but, light and shifty winds kept a top result beyond their grasp.

At 5.10 p.m. the Race Committee lowered the India flag and a minute later the start was given. Guillermo Parada, the skipper of Audi Azzurra Sailing Team chose the favoured left side of the course, won the start and led the fleet for most of the first windward leg. A further unexpected wind shift to the right then favoured Audi All4One who had split off to that side of the course after a poor start.

Quantum, who had also chosen the right side of the course, recovered miraculously from last place to third thanks to the same shift. Azzurra rounded the first windward mark in fourth place and fought back up to third but the breeze, which by then had returned to the left, gave the team no choice but to follow the leaders. The crew lost further ground whilst breaking away from Synergy and finished fifth.

'Our forecaster told us we needed to stay on the left,' confirmed Guillermo Parada, ' we had a great start on that side but then there was a brief moment when the breeze shifted left and allowed Schuemann to win the regatta and pushed us back to fourth. After that there wasn't much we could do, the wind came back to the left as predicted and we had no more tactical options. We must stay concentrated, sail well like we did today and be ready to take our chance as soon as we get some luck.'

A coastal course is scheduled for tomorrow but weather conditions could allow the second race of the day to be run. The start is scheduled for 12 MedCup Azzurra website