Vuelta a España a Vela in Spain - Leg 4, Day 2
by Coralie Rassinoux 21 Jun 2010 02:57 PDT
With 880 racing miles ahead of the entire IMOCA Open 60 fleet on Leg 4 of the Vuelta Espana, the crew aboard GAES Centros Auditivos aim to continue their progression as a team. Dee Caffari and Anna Corbella hope to capitalize on the lessons they have learned so far in this competition and are optimistic that this will be reflected in an improved position when they cross the finish line in Calpe.
The fourth leg from Sanxenxo to Calpe is the longest of the six legs on the course and the tricky nature of this leg mean it's worth double the points.
"The first three races were used to gel as a team and we hope that in this race we will make faster decisions and fewer mistakes," said Dee Caffari who added: “As an offshore sailor I am used to long distances so this leg will see me back in my comfort zone."
The initial phase of this long leg will be sailed along the Portuguese coast in ideal conditions for the IMOCA Open 60’s with northerly winds forecast of some 25 knots, together with 4 metre waves in the same direction as the breeze. The fleet's speed should be fast and relatively comfortable during the first day, with the wind dropping as the yachts move closer to Cabo San Vicente making it crucial to get into the leader group ahead of the possible lulls at the Gibraltar Strait.
Anna Corbella commented on the conditions ahead: “At this stage we are anticipating a variety of weather. We expect fast speeds initially and then the wind will drop off at the Gibraltar Strait. However, once we get into the Mediterranean it’s going to be like playing the lottery."
GAES Centros Auditivos are currently in sixth place in the overall competition rankings with 20 points. Frenchman Marc Guillemot on Safran, winner of two of the three races sailed, is the leader with 4.5 points followed by compatriot Vincent Riou on PRB with 6 points.
W Hotels is the highest ranked Spanish boat in third place on 12.5 points, two fewer than Movistar (14.5) Estrella Damm ranks fifth (16 points) and Central Lechera Asturiana (24.5 points) and Pakea Bizkaia (28 points) complete the table.
For more information go to www.vueltaespanavela.com