Today’s sea breeze off Cartagena proved too feeble to allow any racing at the Audi MedCup Circuit’s Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy.
Photo from the Audi MedCup Circuit Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy
The long wait, in stiflingly hot temperatures, proved to be in vain and the race committee sent the GP42 Series and the TP52 Series fleet back across an almost glassy sea to the historic harbour in Cartagena at just before 1600hrs.
Although conditions had looked vaguely promising when the fleet set out, with around 6-7 knots of wind, when the teams assembled around the start area, it was clear that a wait was on the cards.
2010 Audi MedCup Circuit Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy
While the TP52 Series are already two races to the good, and TeamOrigin 1851 (GBR) lead by one point ahead from Alberto Roemmers’ Matador (ARG), the GP42 Series have yet to have a points scoring race off Cartagena.
Tomorrow’s schedule has been altered to offer windward-leeward racing for both series classes with up to three races promised if the wind co-operates and the TP52 coastal race has been cancelled for this regatta.
Audi MedCup Circuit Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy 2010
Highlight of the day, other than the weather and scenery, was the appearance of the Spanish Navy submarine Mistral (ESP), a Galerna class sub which cruised past returning to the naval base in Cartagena, after undertaking depth tests today.
Tonight’s jazz concert features the Jazz Menor band and starts at 2200hrs.
Many of the Audi MedCup fleet’s navigators as well as the race organising team appear confident that this is expected to have been the lightest conditions and the return of a decent sea-breeze is expected for tomorrow, Friday.
And although it was a long and slightly frustrating day, the mood of the teams remained upbeat, with many allowing local youngsters to help out as they tidied up their boats and some allowed young sailors on board for the trip back from the race area to the harbour.
Audi MedCup Circuit Caja Mediterraneo Region of Murcia Trophy Day Off
Quotes of the day
Maria Torrijo (ESP), Principal Race Officer (ESP): “Even if the forecast wasn’t actually that good, we were sort of expecting more wind, especially between 1400 and 1600hrs. In fact when we docked out and reached the course, we had 7 knots wind from the forecast direction, that’s why we put the AP flag down. But by the time the fleet reached the course, the wind had completely died. And when we sent them back there was absolutely no wind”.
Marcel Van Triest (NED), navigator Bribón (ESP): ” For tomorrow we expect a pure sea breeze, light, but enough to allow races. Today we had gradient wind offshore, but there where it was too deep for the committee to anchor. If the wind had been from the 110-120, it’d have helped the sea breeze pick up, but it was coming from the 140, and then it’s shifted even further to the left”.
Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy
TP52 Series
After two races
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20
GP42 Series
Racing scheduled Friday
