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Photo: © Martinez Studios |
![]() |
Photo: © Martinez Studios |
![]() |
Photo: © Martinez Studios |
![]() |
Photo: © Martinez Studios |
![]() |
Photo: © Martinez Studios |
Team Nika's tactician Ed Baird explained their situation going into the last race: "There were five boats which could finish between us – that was bad. We had to manage that around the course, in an incredibly shifty, crazy venue…"
Against the odds, at the final weather mark rounding of the deciding race, Bronenosec was in a Championship winning position: Leading, with Team Nika in second and Peninsula Petroleum in fourth. However on the last run a squall rolled over the fleet and with gusts of 30 knots on one side of the course and nothing on the other (where the leaders were), the positions were overturned.
As Bronenosec's Italian tactician Michele Ivaldi explained - on the final run they had fallen into a hole as the squall passed through. "We got a big header, so we kept going on starboard and Team Nika came with us. Instead we should have just gybed and gone to the other side, but there was no way we could do that. It was the wrong cloud at the wrong moment."
Ultimately Team Aqua and MAG Racing came home first and second respectively, but, importantly, Peninsula Petroleum was third, meaning she retained second in the regatta with Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika still third and fourth.
On the championship leaderboard this left this Bronenosec Sailing Team and Team Nika tied at the top, but with Team Nika claiming the title – the tie split through her having scored a better result at the RC44 Cascais World Championship.
On returning to the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Prosikhin was ecstatic: "I have been in the RC44 class for almost five years. It's been a gradual climb. Last time we were here I was last – my lowest point. So this really means a lot to me. I am very happy to win this season."
For the final races, Prosikhin admitted that he'd had his head down, focussing on helming and not broaching. "It was only after we'd finished that they told me we had won the season. This regatta has been the most difficult I've done for sure."
His tactician Ed Baird paid tribute to the Team Nika crew: "As the new guy on the boat, I am really impressed with how these guys are sailing. The only reason we didn't finish stronger in this regatta was due to decisions I made - never with the driving or sailing the boat or boat handling. Everything was crisp and beautiful – it is a pleasure to sail with the team."
Bronenosec Sailing Team leaves Virgin Gorda having won the rolling season's Match Racing Championship and on the same points as the Fleet Racing winner. "I am very happy my friend won," said Liubomirov of his rival on the water. "But to have lost in a situation like this, in the last 30 seconds of the race, is very painful."
Cameron Appleton, tactician on 2014 RC44 Champion Team Aqua summed up: "It was a phenomenal year of racing, truly a hard season, a hard-fought win for Nika and huge congratulations. We know what it feels like and we're proud that someone else has sailed so well to accomplish what they did."
For full results visit: http://www.rc44.com/results/fleet-racing/2015
