Audi Azzurra Sailing Team finished second just 58 seconds behind, followed by Rán Racing, Gladiator, Audi Sailing Team powered by All4One, Provezza, PowerPlay and Aquila
The defending champions gained an early jump, starting closest to the pin end of the line, while it was less than a dream start for Rán Racing, who were forced to duck behind the fleet and head to the right side of the course.
All4One charged unchallenged and with pace from the boat end of the start to remain Quantum’s biggest challenger on the opening 1.8 nautical mile leg in a moderate south-southwest breeze in Palma Bay.
But after 20 minutes intense upwind racing it was Quantum who led the fleet around the crucial first mark rounding, followed just 37 seconds later by Azzurra, then All4One, Rán, Aquila, Provezza, Gladiator and PowerPlay.
Quantum extended their lead downwind to 55 seconds over Azzurra at the second mark, while Rán reveled under spinnaker as predicted by her owner/skipper Niklas Zennström to edge into third place.
As the wind continued to switch right forcing race management to change and shorten the course, Quantum continued to stamp their dominance and clinch an opening win that extends their overall lead in the 52 Super Series.
