Audi MedCup starts today

Photographs: Ian Roman / Audi MedCup

The first regatta of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit starts today, Monday 12th May. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong offshore, Northerly winds have been just part of what the 220 professional sailors from 27 countries present in Alicante have had to deal with whilst making last minute adjustments to the 16 TP52’s that make up the fleet which will contest the City of Alicante Trophy.

Practice race
Each regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit follows the same format and opens with a practice race for the fleet over a typical windward-leeward inshore course. Monday’s practice race will likely be sailed in the continuing changeable Spring weather. Such unsettled breezes will place a premium on tactical sailing, making best use of differences in wind strength and direction. For further news and information about the Audi MedCup Circuit visit: medcup.org

Medcup Day 2

Two races today for the MedCup fleet. The wind struggled to find stability and we did not start the racing until 1500.

The first race of the day was held in a light seabreeze from 240. The wind generally went right except the left paid because of pressure. CaxiaGalicia won the race with Artimus second. We on windquest finished 6th.

For the second race, after another sizeable delay waiting for the wind to stabelize, we had 15-18 knots from 315. Smooth seas and sun made for another spectacular race. Mean Machine used their patented committee boat start to jump out to a big lead that they held to the finish. Bribon was second and Christabella third. We managed an 8th after getting bounced around (boats tacking on us) up the first winward leg. We are happy with our consistency. We would like to move a bit higher up the top 10 list. Still a long way to go this week.

We are now 7th overall on Windquest.

Tomorrow is the coastal race which will be two series of windward leeward legs joined in the middle by a 4-5 mile reaching leg. - Paul Cayard

For complete results go to http://www.medcup.org/

TP52 update from Mr. Cayard

Photo ThMatinez

Photo Diego

TP52 Portimao, Portugal

We had three races today in 16 to 28 knots. Top speeds of 22 knots were seen by all boats on the runs. With the offshore breeze, the sea was flat and the sky was clear and sunny. It was a beautiful day for the 19 boats here in Portimao.

The winner of the day was Valle Romano-Mean Machine with a 7th and two firsts. Second of the day was Artemis with Russell Coutts as tactician with a 2, 3 and a 5. Third was CaixaGalicia with John Knostecki as tactician with a 3, 4 and 10.

It was important to keep the boat upright during the gybes and almost everyone broached at least once. We had a decent day on Windquest with a 10, 7 and 8 for 25 points, 8th overall. The fleet is tightly bunched in scoring with Siemens/Matador in 6th with 24 points and Stay Calm in 9th with 27 points.

It was a long day with the third race finishing at 1800. All the teams are still on their boats drying out the insides, folding sails, checking the rigs and it is 1915.

It all starts again tomorrow with the first warning at 1300. The forecast is for a bit less wind.
For complete results go to http://www.medcup.org/

CAYARD AND TEAM WIN COPA DEL REY MEDCUP

Photos martin-raget.com

Copa Del Rey 2007 - MEDCUP
Alberto Roemmers' Argentinian owned, Spanish sponsored Siemens clinched the overall title in the 22 strong grand prix TP52 class at the 26th Copa del Rey Camper Audi today on the Bay of Palma.

From Paul Cayard: We Won! Siemens/Matador won the Copa del Rey today on the bay of Palma with scores of 4, 5. Never did we finish out of the top 5 in an inshore race!

The boat was fast and when we were back in the fleet we were patient and found opportunties without taking big risks.

Very satisfying for the whole team. For Matador owner Alberto Roemmers this was his first win in the Copa del Rey. It is a pleasure to see a man of his experiences especially yesterday in 22. Knots of wind. Then for the Parada brothers, (Guellermo helmsman and Mariano strategist) lost their father on this day two years ago, Siemens, our great sponsor, won this regatta last year with Patches so two in a row, and for me, I won this regatta 20 years ago on I'll Moro di Venezia with my friend Raul Gardini.

Winning isn't everything but it sure is fun! - http://2007.medcup.org/

Though day for Paul Cayard MEDCUP

Copa del Rey, Race Day 3
Tough day on the Palma Bay for us on Siemens/Matador. The race was a windward - leeward - windward, followed by a tour of Palma Bay with a long reach, then upwind and finally a long downwind fetch. The wind was anywhere from 165 to 210 degrees, in different parts of the bay.
We had a top ten race going until the last upwind leg. I went too far to the right... along the coast and there was much more wind out in the middle of the bay. Vasco Vascotto, with local Nacho Postigo as naviator, went the right way on every leg and won the race.
There was also a mid point score, where we were 7th.
So we slipped to 2nd overall, with Vascotto's Mutua Madrilena in the lead by 10 points (they got a little help from the jury last night). Bribon, the boat on which King Juan Carlos sails, moved into third place.
The points are very tight and there could be as many as five more races, so plenty of opportunity to go either way on the leader board.
Complete results can be found at http://www.medcup.org/.
Sorry for the typos in previous days. - Paul Cayard