Can Container Crush Quantum in Marseille?

After Container's spectacular performance in the coastal race today that has catapulted them to the overall lead in the the Audi MedCup Marseille Trophy the question on everyone's lips is whether the German team can fight off Quantum Racing who trail them by a mere 1.5 points.

Container Photo: Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The fleet headed east in the 35 nautical mile coastal race to a leeward turn at Cassis in what was an adrenalin fuelled battle right to the very end.

Container powered downwind to pass long time leader Audi Azzurra Sailing Team at the leeward turn, to win by a 75 second margin as they surfed across the finish line at the entrance to Marseille’s historic harbour. It was even more momentous given this is Container's first win of the season.

Container Photo: Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

Audi Sailing Team powered by All4ONE (FRA/GER) staged a spectacular  comeback that had a huge bearing on the standings between Quantum Racing and Container. The Franco-German team were in third on the long downwind leg when a large fish got caught on their rudder blade. They were forced to drop their spinnaker in order to remove it, causing them to drop back to last place. A risky long tack offshore on the final beat back paid dividends and they clawed their way back to finish third.

Photo: Francesco Ferri_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

But with All4ONE crossing in front of Quantum, the American team now need just one boat between them and Container if they have any chance of winning the Marseille Trophy.

Marseille Trophy
52 Series

Results after 8 races

1. Container (GER), 7+3+4+6+2+3+2+1,5= 28,5 points
2. Quantum Racing (USA), 4+1+1+8+3+4+3+6= 30
3. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA), 1+7+3+7+5+5+6+3= 37
4. Bribón (ESP), 3+2+6+5+8+1+4+9= 38
5. Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), 2+4+7+2+6+6+5+7,5= 39,5
6. Ràn (SUE), 5+5+2+4+4+2+9 (DSQ)+10,5= 41,5 points
7. Audi Sailing Team Powered by All4One (EUR), 6+6+8+3+7+8+1+4,5= 43,5
8. Gladiator (GBR), 8+8+5+1+1+7+9 (DNF)+12=47

Lulu Roseman