32nd Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse in Monaco - Day 2
by Isabelle Andrieux 6 Feb 2016 23:21 PST
5-7 & 12-14 February 2016
Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse day 1 © Carlo Borlenghi
- 5th-7th February 2016: Smeralda 888, Surprise, Star, SB20, IRC 1-4
- 12th-14th February 2016: J/70, Melges 20, Diam 24od
In the thick of it
After Friday's spring-like conditions it was all change Saturday with a forecast worthy of the Primo Cup - Trophée Credit Suisse, resulting in three races completed for all classes. The 75 boats here for the first weekend enjoyed a steady 10-12-knot easterly with no time for a break, and no choice but to focus on concentration and consistency.
While the port option seemed to be favoured by most at the start, that did not take into account changes in conditions as the Surprises, Stars, Smeralda 888s and SB20s approached the windward mark. A tactic that upset the best laid close-hauled plans.
Surprise (16 registered): Swiss remain constant
Having clinched the top three spots on the first day, the Swiss kept up the pressure. Not a grain of salt slowed these talented sailors more used to freshwater lakes, with Etienne David (Mirabeau) leading the dance ahead of Nicolas Groux (CER 2 Genève Aéroport) and Gastone Farolfi (Olympic), Swiss Vice-Champion.
SB20 (15 registered): an upset in the ranking
The Brits put in a fine performance today with John Pollard (Xcellent) working his way up the ranking trading a 6th place for a 2nd at the end of the fourth race of the weekend. Another making a good recovery is class president Ed Russo on Black Magic who tops the leader-board in the provisional ranking this evening just 2 points ahead of the British boat, with Vasily Grigoriev (MST) hard on his heels just one point adrift. A tense day is promised for tomorrow.
Star (14 registered): German consistency
Always in control is without a doubt the key to success for the German Philipp Rotermund. Never far from the rest of the fleet, the class leader took few risks but kept his opponents in sight at all times, widening the gap on every possible occasion. The Swiss Christian Nehamman is hard on his heels in 2nd, just one point adrift, with the Monegasque team helmed by Jean-Gabriel Charton (Junior) completing the provisional podium.
Smeralda 888 (9 registered): a tidy group
This may be a boat for gentlemen but there was no time for gallantry today for the Smeralda 888 fleet, comprising mainly teams from Monaco, all fiercely defending their positions. Job done for Guido Miani (Botta Dritta), who again dominated the racing with two wins, although Roberto Tamburelli (Forrest Gump), current holder of the Smeralda 888 International Championship, has made a comeback wining the last race of the day to take 2nd place in the overall provisional ranking ahead of Timofey Sukhotin (Podeba).
IRC classes 1-4 (22 registered): in for the kill
IRC sailors took the bull by the horns today after only one race on Friday. Today's three races in a steady 12+ knot wind produced some spectacular downwind legs with spinnakers of all sizes flying. The conditions produced a fine performance from Latvian Vadim Yakimenko (Amber Miles) who tops the leader-board in the IRC 1-2 class, ahead of YCM member Orel Kalomeni (Arcora). All change in the 3-4 class where the Irish team lead by Andrew Jones (Fox in Sox) climbs two places to lead the provisional ranking ahead of Rocco Giorgino (Révelation 3).
For the final day of the first weekend on Sunday racing starts at 11am with prize-giving straight after the last race.
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