The Race Committee was forced to suspend competing on Day One of the Audi Sardinia Cup 2012, caused by the well known Sardinian Mistral, thanks to which the race course off Porto Cervo is one of the greatest in the world. The wind had been blowing around the Costa Smeralda achieving 28 to 34 knots for more than 24 hours.
Audi Sardinia Cup 2012 Credit: Alessandro Spiga/YCCS
The competing teams, each composed of a TP52 and Soto 40, remained ashore waiting for the predicted drop in intensity however at 15.45 and with no sign of the Mistral abating the final decision was an obvious one. A further four days of racing are scheduled, including a coastal course for both classes, in the event organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 11th to 17th June.
Italy’s Francesco Bruni, America’s Cup veteran and tactician aboard the TP52 Azzurra which flies the YCCS burgee, is well used to the conditions off the Costa Smeralda: “Today was a classic day in Porto Cervo: the strong Mistral which was predicted was blowing since yesterday, a week in Sardinia always includes a few days of strong wind. From tomorrow the wind is supposed to arrive from the south-east and we should have a light Sirocco for most of the week. Either way our new boat is an all-rounder that goes well in any conditions, so we have no excuses! We would have liked to have gotten out racing today but the wind really was gusting so I think the right decision was made.”
Juan Pablo Cadario aboard the Soto 40 Bigamist yacht, which was launched just 20 days ago in Valencia, is rearing to get out on the course: “We got some good training in with nice conditions of 20 to 25 knots over the past few days but we are prepared for the lighter winds which should come in tomorrow and last for almost the whole event. We are really anxious to get out racing because the boat is brand new and we have to familiarize ourselves with her.”
Owners and crews had little choice, therefore, but to relax and soak up the sunshine in the luxurious surroundings of the YCCS and Porto Cervo Marina while spectators strolled along the docks admiring the Grand Prix racing yachts moored in front of the Clubhouse.
The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Credit: Carlo Borlenghi
The Soto 40 is undoubtedly one of the newest and most exciting one-designs around, having been created in late 2009 in Argentina with just two boats built initially. Popularity quickly grew in Brazil with five more owners joining the class including Olympic, Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup legend Torben Grael. Today 31 Soto 40s sail on regatta courses throughout the USA, South America, Japan and Europe and their inaugural World Championship is scheduled for early 2013.
The Transpac 52, meanwhile, was born towards the start of this millennium in California and quickly gained popularity in both the USA and Europe – particularly following King Juan Carlos of Spain’s launch of his Bribon in 2005. Sixty-seven boats were built in accordance with the original box rule, which as a happy coincidence saw the TP52 racers excel under both IRC and ORC handicaps. Last year saw American team Quantum Racing take the spoils in the class as they claimed victory in both the Audi MedCup Circuit and the TP52 World Championship – the latter also organized by the YCCS in Porto Cervo.
Racing is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday 14th June at 12 midday. Sirocco winds of approximately 8 knots are forecast.
Following tomorrow’s racing participants will attend a gala dinner at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda while a barbecue overlooking the marina is scheduled for Friday evening.
