RC44 Valencia Cup: Day 1

RC44 Valencia Cup: Day 1
27 07 2010

The opening day of the RC44 Valencia Cup was busy and testing for Mascalzone Latino Audi Team with five races, scoring one victory. The weather conditions were difficult: the southeasterly breeze started at 12-13 knots during the first, just after 1pm, but steadily built up during the afternoon, topping 20 knots in the final races. Today, Mascalzone Latino raced against Artemis helmed by Terry Hutchinson, Team Sea Dubai with Marcus Wieser driving, Team No Way Back with Ray Davies at the helm, BMW ORACLE Racing with Russell Coutts and AEZ RC 44 Sailing driven by Christian Binder.

The RC44 is a very difficult class and the crews have reached a high level of preparedness and skill, having raced together for years. In this class there is no room for improvisation.

Throughout day, even if the results can’t completely confirm it, Mascalzone Latino was steadily improving, finetuning their maneuvers and working hard on sailing better. Later in the afternoon, after 4 defeats, came the first point, won over the Austrian team.

“It’s been a tough day – commented helmsman Matteo Savelli – after a nearly two-year absence and with a good part of our crew in its first experience on this difficult and technical yacht we certainly didn’t stumble when wind conditions were easier. Match after match we were able to do a little bit better, even winning the last race. We are here to gain experience and improve in view of the upcoming events”.

Provisional leaderboard:

1. Artemis/Terry Hutchinson - 6 points - (6-0)
2. BMW ORACLE/Russell Coutts - 4 points - (4-1)
3. Aqua/Cameron Appleton - 4 points (4-1)  
4. Ceeref/Rod Davies - 3 points - (3-1)
5. 17/James Spithill - 3 points - (3-2)
6. Team No Way Back/ Ray Davies - 3 points - (3-3)
7. Sea Dubai/Markus Wiser - 2 points - (2-4)
8. Katusha/Paul Cayard - 1 point - (1-3)
9. Mascalzone Latino/Matteo Savelli - 1 point (1-4)
10. Islas Canarias Puerto Calero - 0 points - (0-5)
11. AEZ RC44 Sailing Team - 0 points - (0-5)