Friday 3 May 2013

Gaastra PalmaVela : “J One”, “Altair” and “Jethou” early leaders

Racing at Gastraa Palmavela 2013. Image copyright Studio Martinez/Gaastra Palmavela

by Gaastra Palmavela media

“J One”, “Altair” and “Jethou” lead in the Wally, Maxi and Mini Maxi classes respectively, after the first day’s racing of the big boats at the Gaastra PalmaVela, a regatta organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma that started yesterday in Spain.

After one hour of delay, due to wind shifts, the Race Committee set up a race course for the first start of the day.

The competition started at 13:00 hours with a Southeastern wind of 8 knots that increased up to 12 knots during the day. The three classes sailed two W/L races of one hour each.

"J One" (GBR). Wally Class. Image copyright Studio Martinez/Gaastra Palmavela

“J One” leads in the Wally Class

Wally “J One”, of Jean Charles Decaux, clearly leads after the two races of the day. Although “J One”, crossed the finishing line in third place, after applying the handicap rating system is first overall.

The second place is tight and has “Magic Carpet Cubed” of Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones and “Open Season” owned by Thomas Bscher in five points tie.

"Altair" (ITA), Maxi Class. Image copyright Studio Martinez/Gaastra Palmavela

“Altair” leads the Maxi class

“Altair” of Boris Gusev won both races and is leader, followed by “Nilaya” owned by Philip Balcaen, with its 34,13 meters long, being the biggest boat of this tenth edition of Gaastra PalmaVela, and in third place “Virtuelle” of Jean Michelle Robert.
 
"Jethou" (GBR), Mini Maxi Class. Image copyright Studio Martinez/Gaastra Palmavela

“Jethou” leads in the Mini Maxi

This class has proved to be tighter and the seven boats starting have experienced an exciting competition between “Bellamente” of Hap Fauth and “Jethou” of Peter Ogden. The American team won the first race and the British representatives won the second one.

“Jethou” of Peter Ogden is first after the first day’s racing, followed by “Bellamente” in second place and by ”Caol Llar” of Alex Schaerer in third position.

Fleet on the first day of the Gaastra PalmaVela. Image copyright Studio Martinez/Gaastra Palmavela

First official day for the Soto40

The Soto40 did their official practice race yesterday in the Bay of Palma and will initiate the competition today in the Gaastra Palmavela. The navigator on board Soto40 “Ngoni” Andrew Cape, winner of the America’s Cup in 2003 with “Alinghi” and six round the world races, will sail for the first time in this class.

The Australian sailor expressed his satisfaction after trying the Soto for the first time. “It is only our third day on this boat, and are very pleased. We finished second, but have to wait for today’s races to see how things will turn up. I hope to enjoy sailing in the Bay of Palma.

The competition starts again today at 10.00 GMT.

To see all the the results, click here.