The overcast sky of Race 5 broke into the sunshine for Race 6 of the 52 SUPER SERIES at Quantum Key West 2013, as Interlodge made a perfectly-timed mid-line start to take and hold the lead on this longer (2.2-mile leg) 5-leg course.
Her strong start and superior upwind pace kept her clear of what Quantum Racing coach Ed Reynolds termed a “blood bath” of a fight between the remaining teams in the first half of this race. Tack for tack, this was one of the hardest-fought races in the series so far
The brisk 17-21 knot winds made for some exciting high-speed 18-knot runs, and the shifty conditions at the top of the course near the lee of the island gave everyone ample shifts to play to get back into (or fall out of) the game.
In the end it was the second place for Azzurra which ensure the current 52 SUPER SERIES champions hold the smallest of leads in the regatta. Rán Racing took thirdand with Quantum 4th, Rio 5th and Gladiator 6th.
The series now has Azzurra in the lead, but only on a tie-break with Rán Racing, followed by Quantum Racing, Interlodge, now up to striking range of the leaders, followed by Gladiator andRio. Two days and four races remain in the event, the first in the 2013 52 SUPER SERIES.
