With only one race sailed yesterday, the first of the 32nd Copa del Rey MAPFRE for the 52 SUPER SERIES, the idea of the regatta race management is to take advantage of the good forecast – back to the usual sea-breeze – and roll in three races if possible.
What was interesting to see yesterday was the fleet arrived at the top mark very close together, well mixed with little regard for the age generation of the design or the level of the crew, or which side of the course was chosen. And that was on a long, 2.4 miles windward leg. The race officer has promised shorter courses today.
For Gladiator, which finished second in Ibiza, Monday’s was not the start they wanted. But with the prospect of a more regular Palma sea breeze today, tactician Chris Larson is looking forwards to racing today:
We are back to the more traditional Palma. The morning land drainage breeze will die off and we should get back to the usual sea breeze for the afternoon.
We had a rough day yesterday. I could have done a little better I am sure. I chose the wrong gate at the bottom. Quantum took the gate we wanted and we went the other way and that took away a lot of the options I wanted. We rode around and had no ability to make up any distance. We got off the start line well and executed the strategy and in fact the whole lead pack got to the top mark pretty much at the same time. There was not too much in it. Downwind we were OK but at the leeward gate we just got a bit crossed up, That’s the way it goes some times.
Chris Larson, Gladiator
