If the forecast is to be believed the pace should pick up slightly for the second day of racing at the Region of Murcia-Cartagena Trophy, the fourth event of the 2011 Audi MedCup Circuit.

Region of Murcia Cartagena Trophy, 24 08 2011 © Stefano Gattini_Studio Borlenghi/Audi MedCup

There is a promise that the sea breeze should pick up to more than 10kts by the middle of the afternoon. The target is set to try and run three races for both classes, but that seems quite ambitious given that local predictions are that the sea-breeze will not build much before 1400hrs.
While Russia’s Synergy Sailing Team top the regatta leaderboard, yesterday also proved to be a decent day for the Circuit leaders Quantum Racing (USA), finishing third.

The 40 Series fleet should start their racing today and the big question is whether the young Australian team on Patagonia by the Australian Soto 40 Sailing Team (AUS) can repeat some of their success of yesterday when they won the Practice Race. The young crew held an informal reception this morning to announce their definitive intention to be back next season with a full Soto 40 programme:

“This is very much a fact-finding mission, looking at the logistics, the events and how it all works, and seeing how the team works together and so far we are very happy with it all. We have some guys back in Perth who we think are interested in sponsoring us, so when we get back the plan is to get right back into it. At the moment we are trying to get story into people’s minds back home and then go from there.” Said skipper-helm Brent Fowler (AUS) who has put the project together.

Adrian Stead (GBR), Tactician, Quantum Racing (USA):
“Cartagena is a challenging place to sail, yesterday we had a weak sea breeze so it was quite difficult to read the race in the water, we saw big gains and losses. It was a matter of backing what you believed and taking the side that you thought was best. Today´s forecasts say that it could be a bit different, we might see 13 knots or we might not, but I´m sure we´ll see good racing. All teams can win a race.  I think Synergy have shown that they sail well in this conditions. We are very pleased with result but we know that today it´s going to be a tough day”.

Juan Luis Páez (ESP), Navigator, Iberdrola Team (ESP):
“The first couple of days here are going to be tricky due to the weather conditions. This racecourse also has currents and you really have to be on top of things to sail well. I think it´s going to be a close trophy in the 40 Series. The Aussies sailed great yesterday, they are a team that sail in Farr 40, which are similar boats to the Soto 40s, they know how to sail boats with this length. We are happy because we didn’t sail well upwind at the beginning but we manage to recover for the rest of the race.”