Quantum Are Too Quick in Cartagena

Quantum Racing's win in today's 25 nautical mile long coastal race puts them back on the podium in the overall standings behind Bribon and Azzurra. 

Photo: Ian Roman/Audi MedCup

The tightly matched fleet was sent on a course that included an initial windward-leeward loop in the brisk nor’east Levant wind before a long five mile beat to Cabo Agua (east of Cartagena), followed by a long tactical run back with two sail reach inshore, around the rocky Pigeon Island before the final beat back into the harbour.

Photo: Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

The Gods were shining on Quantum while Azzurra was the recipient of some bad luck when a halyard lock strop failed when they were in a leading position 0.8 miles from the finish line. It was all over for the Italians when their mainsail came sliding down and by the time they managed a temporary fix they had slipped back into fourth place.

Photo: Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

Bribon's second place behind Quantum Racing, has the Spanish team now entering the final day of racing with five point margin over Audi Azzurra Sailing Team in the overall standings while Quantum Racing’s win promoted them from fifth to third overall.

The first upwind leg was a slog that challenged the tacticians and after starting at the committee boat end of the line both Azzurra and Audi ALL4ONE made excellent use of the extra offshore wind pressure to the right.

At the windward mark Azzurra lead their sistership by a narrow margin before an the an issue with  their spinnaker hoist cost them dearly and they fell back behind their rivals. But fighting spirit of Vasco Vascotto, Francesco Bruni and the Azzurra crew kicked in and they fought back hard to take places on the top third of the long beat and with an excellent run back, they re-established their lead on the run.

Azzurra looked like a sure thing to take victory when the mainsail drama struck allowing Quantum to whisk past while they made their makeshift repairs on the fly and grab the gun.

The 52 Series goes down to two final windward-leeward races.

Región of Murcia Trophy - Cartagena
52 Series

Results after seven races:

1. Bribón (ESP), 2+5+1+2+2+3+3= 18 points
2. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team (ITA), 5+1+4+5+1+1+6= 23 points
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 3+2+6+6+4+7+1,5= 29,5 points
4. Container (GER), 7+4+3+4+3+2+9= 32 points
5. Audi Sailing Team Powered by All4One (GER/FR), 4+7+7+1+5+5+4,5= 33,5 points
6. Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS), 1+3+5++3+7+6+10,5= 35,5 points
7. RÁN (SUE), 6+6+2+7+6+4+7,5= 38,5 points
8. Gladiator (GBR), 9(DNC)+9(DNC)+9(DNC)+9(DNC)+9(DNC)+9(DNC)+13,5(DNC)= 67,5 points