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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
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Photo: MartinezStudio.es |
“We knew there was only going to be one race and as long as we weren’t last and didn’t foul someone and get a contact penalty point, we were going to be fine,” explained Artemis tactician Morgan Larson. “But then Luigi [PRO Peter Reggio] put the black flag up which threw another curved ball in there, because an OCS with a black flag is 13 points and we were 11 points clear…”
Coming home eighth was enough to secure the Swedish team overall victory at the RC44 Austria Cup by nine points. Although they won the RC44 World Championship in 2011, this was Artemis’ first circuit event win since 2009.
“It was practically impossible to lose it today, so maybe we were a little bit unfocused – we were just being very careful not to be over the line and we were a bit too courteous perhaps!” said an elated Tornqvist. “I think we were quite lucky to win by such a large margin – it feels good. Traunsee is not somewhere you just come and do well, you have to sail here a couple of times to know how the shifts work so I think Morgan’s experience and knowledge of the lake, coming back this year, has really helped. We have good team work and good boat speed.”
In the overall season championship after three events , Chris Bake’s Team Aqua continues to lead having ended up fourth here in Austria, while Artemis is now three points astern in second.
“It has been real challenging,” said Team Aqua’s tactician Cameron Appleton. “The guys have been doing a great job, but on the tactical/positioning side it has been super hard. One puff here and there can be the difference between if you make a cross or you don’t. After that your race will unfold.”
Valentin Zavadnikov, co-owner of Synergy Russian Sailing Team, was pleased that they remain in the lead of the match racing, assisted by their America’s Cup winning, former Match Racing World Champion tactician, Ed Baird. “It is a nice place first of all here and a nice place for us. We started very well with the match racing and we know this place, we were here last year, although it is a bit colder here this year. Three days ago I had ALL my clothes on! But first place in the match race is a great result for us. We did three weeks of training in the Canary Islands – and now we are first. It is not too bad.”
Next up for the RC44s, over 18-22 July, is the event in Marstrand, Sweden on Torbjorn Tornqvist’s home waters. “I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “This year we will visit at the height of the season, so I think it will be spectacular, with thousands of people watching.”
RC44 Austria Cup 2012 Ranking
(After eight races sailed)
1 Artemis Racing 9 2 1 1 8 1 1 8 (2*) – 33
2 RC44 Team CEEREF 3 5 7 3 9 4 5 6 – 42
3 AEZ RC44 Team 6 1 10 7 7 3 8 1 – 43
4 Team Aqua 8 4 5 8 3 8 4 3 (1*) – 44
5 Katusha 5 12 9 9 2 6 2 2 – 47
6 Synergy Russian Sailing Team 2 7 12 5 12 2 7 4 – 51
7 No Way Back 1 8 6 11 5 11 3 10 – 55
8 Aleph Sailing Team 11 3 8 6 6 5 9 9 – 57
9 Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team 7 9 3 4 10 9 6 11 – 59
10 Team Nika 12 6 2 10 1 7 10 12 – 60
11 AFX Capital Racing 4 11 4 2 11 10 12 7 – 61
12 RUS7 Sail Racing Team powered by AnyWayAnyDay.com 10 10 11 12 4 12 11 5 (3*) – 78
*Penalty Points
RC44 Media
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