Audi A1 Team powered by ALL4ONE in the Marseille coastal race. Image copyright Frank Socha/www.franksocha.com
by Stephanie Nadin
For the third competition day in the Marseille Trophy, the Audi MedCup competitors fought in the "coastal race" in tough conditions and a wind about 20 to 25 knots that increased during the day. The TP52 fleet sailed along the beautiful coast from Marseille to Cassis via the "Cap Croisette", before coming back towards Marseille, sailing along the famous "calanques".
Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE takes the third place on this race, and goes up to the third position on today's provisional general ranking.
They said:
Albert Jacobsoone, Pit: "We had a good start, and we were in the middle of the fleet at the top mark. Then we sailed really well downwind, coming back on the leading group, which made it possible for us to manage a good mark rounding downwind. Then we headed towards the islands and kept a good speed. When sailing with the spinnaker we achieved a good move by taking over the second place from Emirates Team New Zealand as we were faster than them downwind, which is always a satisfaction, and proves that our boat is good and that we sail it well. But we had a little problem after that as we broke the jib halyard, so we had to send our bowman Jean-Marie Dauris in the mast to repair and fix the problem. We still managed to sail close to ETNZ, even if we lost our second place. We end up third on this race, which is good after a nice race, even if we have to work on improving some small details in the boat's preparation. This race confirms the results we achieved till now, and we still have some more races to go!"
Audi A1 Team powered by ALL4ONE in the Marseille coastal race. Image copyright Frank Socha/www.franksocha.com
Paolo Bassani, Floater and Boat Captain: "it was a great day and we finished third, like for the long distance race in Cascais, so we repeat the same result. It could have been a second place, but we broke the jib halyard when we were second just behind Quantum Racing, and we had a good lead on Emirates Team New Zealand. But the Kiwis passed us, and it was over for us with the second place. We kept our third position, which is still a very good one. We are back in the third position in the general ranking, so we are more than happy. We are very close in terms of points in the top group, everything can change with a few more races to go, and we will try to do our best to keep that third position or to reach the second position like we did in Cascais. The team is improving and racing well, that is good, as when you race in the first half of the fleet, it means you are racing well."
The competition resumes Saturday, and the wind should get stronger.
Provisional overall standings after 6 races TP52 Series
1. Quantum Racing - 22,5 points
2. Matador - 27 points
3. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE - 29,5 points
4. Emirates Team New Zealand - 31 points
5. TeamOrigin 1851 - 31 points
6. Synergy - 35,5 points
7. Bribon - 41 points
8. Cristabella - 43,5 points
9. Luna Rossa - 44,5 points
10. Artemis - 53 points
11. Bigamist - DNC - 78 points
ALL4ONE
Audi MedCup
