Audi MedCup: Seven Days until Racing Starts at the City of Alicante Trophy

With only seven days left until the first races of the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit, the City of Alicante Trophy, the countdown for the 12 TP52s and six GP42s is now very much at the forefront of the minds of shore teams and sailing crews seeking to ensure they start the season's curtain-raiser regatta in the best possible shape.


Audi MedCup TP52s racing in 2008. Image copyright Nico Martinez.

by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

Most of the TP52 Series fleet have been progressively assembling in nearby Valencia to complete measuring, but also taking the opportunity to tune up and test on the water before heading to Alicante later this week.

"To see all the boats training and the level of preparedness at this stage in the season is always exciting." Audi MedCup Circuit Technical Director Nacho Postigo remarks, "To have three new boats - Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis and Matador - making ready to compete in this fleet really impresses me. All are due to be on the water this week."

While the two New Zealand built boats will tune up for their first taste of European waters, Alberto Roemmers' Matador has been testing off Palma where the mainly Argentinian crew won at Palma Vela regatta and have spent time sail testing since. Audi MedCup champions Quantum Racing have already laid down 12 days of quality training off Valencia and should be putting a final polish on their crew training and speed work this week too.

On the water the action will be as tough as it ever has been but on land, there has been a concerted effort made by the Circuit organisers to engage more fully with visitors and spectators who arrive at the Audi MedCup Circuit regatta site at each host City, with a much more comprehensive entertainment package including a Race Village area dedicated to an Expo, cinema space, interactive games and the ability to follow races in real time on large screen.

Audi MedCup