Azzurra on Day One of the Barclays 52 Super Series off Capri. Image copyright Nico Martinez/52SuperSeries
by Giuliano Luzzatto
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s boat Azzurra is just one point from the leader overall after the first day of racing at the Barclays 52 Super Series held within the Rolex Capri Sailing Week.
With two well-deserved and encouraging third place finishes, Azzurra is currently in second place and just one point behind Quantum. Breezes today in Capri didn’t kick in until the early afternoon when the Principle Race Officer could finally start the event off with two races in light winds from the southwest at 8 to 11 knots.
Azzurra got off to a good start in both of the races without taking any unnecessary risks. In the first race Phoenix, at her debut in the Series and the first boat currently racing to be built in the new 2015 version, took control from the center of the race course managing to get ahead and win her first race. She was followed by Ran. Azzurra battled with Quantum for third place and managed to keep the Americans at bay. Azzurra finished third and Quantum fourth.
In the second race neither Phoenix nor Ran managed to repeat their results, placing seventh and eighth respectively. Quantum won followed by the other American team Vesper.
Quotes of the day
Guillermo Parada, skipper and helmsman: “First of all I would like to compliment Phoenix who, at their debut in the 52 Super Series and with a brand new boat, has managed to win the first race in the season. I think it’s very important to start on the first day with consistent results. We are happy because we were able to make two clean races and two good starts and we were able to fight for good positions from the beginning. We are also happy because the boat is performing well. It’s going to be tough and demanding because the conditions are forecast to be very, very light for the whole week so it’s going to be about patience and being consistent.”
Vasco Vascotto, tactician: “We played our cards right and met the goals that we had set for ourselves. We wanted to avoid unnecessary risks because in light air mistakes are paid dearly and on days like this there are no other tactical options. We know that this is going to be a difficult championship, but we were relaxed when sailing and we were sure of ourselves and of the boat. We can feel that she is strong and competitive.”
Tomorrow is the second day of the event and winds are forecast to be light. Theoretically racing starts at noon and the races can be followed by webstream with English commentary on www.azzurra.it. On our Twitter account and on our Facebook page we will post updates directly from the regatta course. The Rolex Capri Sailing Week, the first event in the Barclays 52 Super Series, has been organized by the International Maxi Association in collaboration with the Yacht Club Capri. The event will conclude on May 24th.
Results: BARCLAYS 52 SUPER SERIES - Capri, Italy
Overall after 2 races
1 Quantum Racing, USA, (Doug De Vos USA) (4,1) 5pts
2 Azzurra, ITA, (Alberto Roemmers ARG) (3,3) 6pts
3 Vesper, USA, (Jim Swartz USA) (5,2) 7pts
4 Phoenix, BRA, (Eduardo de Souza Ramos BRA) (1,7) 8pts
5 Rán Racing, SWE, (Niklas Zennström SWE) (2,8) 10pts
6 Provezza 7, TUR, (Ergin Imre TUR) (6,4) 10pts
7 Paprec, FRA, (Jean Luc Petithugenin FRA) (7,5) 12pts
8 Gladiator, GBR, (Tony Langley GBR) (9,6) 15pts
9 B2, ITA, (Michele Galli ITA) (8,9) 17pts
Azzurra
Barclays 52 Super Series
Rolex Capri Sailing Week
