TP52 Worlds fleet, © Robin Christol
by Stephanie Nadin
The TP52 Worlds contenders sailed today in very light conditions, with a wind from 8 to 9 knots and difficult wind shifts to use on Valencia's race course.
Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE finished 6th in the first race, a race where the French-German team members didn't manage to get a better result despite the risks they took. After having crossed the start line too early, Jochen Schümann and his crew were called back to the line 10 seconds after the signal, having to turn and cross the line again. They came back quickly in the game in the first upwind beat, but then didn't manage to get out of the fleet to grab some more places back, the opportunities being more limited in light winds, as well as the number of possible tacks.
Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE strikes back in the second race, and gets another second spot. The plan was actually to secure a good start: Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE starts in the front of the fleet with Artemis, but the French-German crew had to tack soon as Artemis was a bit faster on their left. But Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE did a nice first upwind beat including tacks at the right times, which allowed them to take the best out of this first leg, and to round the first mark in the second place. The team then defended their second place for the rest of the race, while increasing their advance on the rest of the fleet.
Audi A1 Team powered by ALL4ONE, © Robin Christol
Philippe Mourniac, Navigator: " There has been globally less wind than yesterday, and the sea was more flat, which is easier for us in terms of speed compared to the choppy sea. I think that today we could have had two very good races. Unfortunately we were caught on the start of the first race, where we were one second early according to the committee. One second which could have changed our start to an almost perfect one. We will now take the races one by one, trying to do the best possible results."
Paolo Bassani, Boat Captain: "today we were over too early in the first start, so the whole race has been affected by that, otherwise it would have been a lot better. And the second race was really good. Generally we sailed a lot better than yesterday. We will continue to focus on the starts and boat speed for the rest of the week. With a good start in this fleet, you can be easily in the top four. Tomorrow is the coastal race which is rated 1,5, so if we do well tomorrow, the podium is still in the target."
Provisional overall standings after 5 races
1. Quantum Racing - 12 points
2. Artemis - 15 points
3. Synergy - 16 points
4. Matador - 19 points
5. Bigamist - 27 points
6. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE - 28 points
7. Cristabella - 31 points
8. Pace - 37 points
9. Weapon of Choice - 41 points
ALL4ONE
TP52 Worlds
