52 Super Series - Azzurra close in overall standings

by Giuliano Luzzatto on 14 Jul 2012 In the Royal Cup, third event of the 52 Super Series, Audi Azzurra Sailing Team scored a fourth and fifth in today’s two races, and though the team is unsatisfied with the results, they are not out of touch with Quantum on the overall scorecard.

It was not a brilliant day on the water today for the Italian team in Palma de Majorca at the. Azzurra’s closest rival Quantum finished with two third places which means that the teams are still close in the overall standings, with only 12 points separating them.

Today’s thermal winds ranged from 9-11 knots from the South. The Audi Azzurra Sailing Team proved not to be intimidated by Ed Baird, Skipper of the American 52, attacking in the pre-starts and starting in sequence with Quantum.

In the first race, a small wind shift to the left put Azzurra in Powerplay’s bad air, meanwhile the Americans who were clear to windward and were able to adapt to the shift and better control the situation.

On occasion, the two boats leading the 52 Super Series are so focused on the race between themselves that opportunities arise for the other teams to capitalize on. As an example, Quantum finished third in both races today, while Gladiator won the first race and All4One won the second.

However, Azzurra appeared to be lacking in terms of boat speed upwind today. The 52 flying the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda burgee, recovered well in the second race of the day, choosing the clear air on the right side of the course, to take fourth, mere second behind the leaders.

Guillermo Parada, Skipper: 'It was a day of variable conditions, our results were not brilliant but we were not the only ones, and the overall results have not changed a great deal.'

Vasco Vascotto, Tactician: 'Today we didn’t have a good feel for the boat, we have to analyze what the problem is and resolve it. For example, following on from a good start in the first race we didn’t manage to cross Quantum, likewise it is very difficult to recover when you have a competitor out in front controlling you. In the second race, we had to choose the right from the outset, which proved to be more favoured, however it was our boat speed that was lacking today.'

52 Super Series – Royal Cup
after six races

1 Quantum Racing (USA) 12pt
2 Rán (SWE) 18pt
3 Audi Sailing Team by All4One (GER/FRA) 19pt
4 Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA) 24pt
5 Gladiator (GBR) 30pt
6 Powerplay (CAY) 31,4pt
7 Provezza 7 (TUR) 35pt
8 Aquila (AUT) 40pt Azzurra 52 Super Series website