Home - Valencia Sailing - Bribón grabs leadership at Alicante Trophy; Mean ...

Bribón grabs leadership at Alicante Trophy; Mean Machine scores two wins

Posted 3 months, 17 days ago

Bribón grabs leadership at Alicante Trophy; Mean Machine scores two wins
Two old sayings were once again verified in today's races, second day of the Alicante Trophy. First, consistency pays, as proved by Dean Barker's Bribón and Terry Hutchinson's Quantum Racing. Second, don't count out the new boats and there is no better proof than the 62-year old Peter de Ridder who helmed the brand new Mean Machine to two victories out of three.Peter de Ridder, Skipper and Helmsman of Mean Machine“Yesterday we were pretty disappointed and we had a good chat about our strategy and tactics, and tried to do better today. We were already very happy with the 5th and it got better with two firsts. We had a good start and we liked the right; that gave us an edge on the other boats. Most of the time in that situation you just stretch ahead, and we were clear, so were comfortable. I think picking the right, the tactical decision was important; it wasn’t boat speed, but a better strategy plan executed. Nothing changed boat handling-wise it all came together that’s all.” Alicante Trophy - AUDI Medcup / Provisional standings after 5 races

	Team	Races					Points
		1	2	3	4	5
1	Bribón	3	3	1	4	4	15
2	Qunatum Racing	4	5	9	3	2	23
3	Mutua Madrileña	2	4	8	8	3	25
4	TAU Andalucia	1	1	6	9	9	26
5	Mean Machine	7	16	5	1	1	30
6	Platoon	5	9	2	5	14	35
7	Desafío	9	6	7	11	5	38
8	Matador	10	14	3	2	10	39
9	Artemis	12	11	4	10	7	44
10	Cristabella	11	2	15	7	12	47
11	AUDI Q8	13	10	12	6	6	47
12	ONO	8	12	10	12	11	53
13	Caixa Galicia	15	7	11	13	8	54
14	CAM	6	8	16	14	15	59
15	RUSAL Synergy	14	13	13	16	16	72
16	Valars	16	15	14	15	13	73
17	AIFOS	20	20	20	20	20	100
18	Bigamist	20	20	20	20	20	100
19	USA 17	20	20	20	20	20	100

Race 1It looked as if we were about to go through a repeat of yesterday's scenario but it fortunately didn't turn out to be that way. The race committee fired the starting gun right on time when there were 6-7 knots of southern breeze. The fleet opted for the pin end with CAM and Desafío crossing the line early and getting penalized. The right hand side of the course paid off handsomely for the boats that chose it. Despite a mediocre start, Bribón, helmed by Dean Barker, managed to work its way up the fleet and lead at the top mark. Platoon, the German boat crewed by sailors of the America's Cup German challenger, squeezed in at the top mark between Bribón and Matador. The right side of the course remained the favorite one throughout the race but the leadership was not altered. Start of the day's first race. CAM and Desafío are over the line and get a penalty. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingStart of the day's first race. CAM and Desafío are over the line and get a penalty. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingAt the approach to the top mark, Bribón is leading the fleet while Platoon squeezes in on second place. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingThe fleet at the top mark. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingThe first run was a tight battle for leadership between Bribón and Platoon. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingTerry Hutchinson's brand new Quantum Racing was 7th at the leeward gate. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingMatador was third, here at the 2nd top mark, closely behind the two leading boats. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingArtemis was fourth at the 2nd top mark, but today's performance was nothing to write home about. James Spithill, watching the race from the tender, will surely have some study to do. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingAnother big team that disappointed today was Desafío, here 9th at the 2nd top mark. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingYesterday undisputed winner, TAU Andalucia, had a bad start but managed to pass 7 boats and finish 5th. Alicante, 14 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing Full Story »

Comments are currently disabled