A three race day in a good nine to 11kts of breeze on Tuscany’s scenic Gulf of Follonica brought the 52 SUPER SERIES Scarlino Sailing Week back on schedule after missing one race Thursday due to the threat of thunderstorms. Quantum Racing powered by American Magic now lead into the final Saturday showdown with a slender two points lead.
That the defending champions are on the cusp of their first regatta win in their new American Magic powered iteration is not too much of a surprise, but maybe more so is that their Quantum stablemates, Thai family team Vāyu are on course to close out second place. Their regatta so far is already massively impressive for a crew which only joined the 52 SUPER SERIES two years ago and which competes with six family members on board.
Quantum Racing powered by American Magic sailed to 1,5,2 over an intense, long day on the water when there was always great pressure and activity on the start line.
There was often a gain to be made to the right of the upwinds, but good risk management across the piece was essential. The defending champions, winners here last September, Quantum accomplished that best today, whilst Platoon rode the emotional rollercoaster. They got second in the first race but then landed a penalty at the first windward mark of the second race which saw them ninth before going on to win the third race. Similarly Sled, regatta leaders on Friday morning, aggregated 26 points for the day.
With Vasco Vascotto calling tactics, Platoon actually led the first race but lost out to Quantum Racing down the first run, Vāyu were one of the best on the right of the first upwind and went on to finish third through the line.
Race 7 saw Provezza win off the start line by getting a well timed opening at the committee boat end of the line allowing them to jump clear of the fleet. The Plattners’ Phoenix were second at the windward mark but lost out to the Interlodge which came through on the first run to chase Provezza through the line. Retaining their high level consistency Vāyu crossed fourth. Quantum Racing were seventh at the first windward mark but sailed a good run to get up to fifth which they held through the line.
And the eighth race saw Platoon clear ahead with good speed up the first beat to prove uncatchable by Quantum Racing. Vāyu made a very useful gain at the second top mark, passing Alpha + and Gladiator to rise to fourth. Their fortunes were also improved when Provezza – their nearest challengers for second – lost two places at the finish line.
So Doug DeVos’ champions lead Vāyu by two points going into the final day, the Whitcraft family team which has double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers calling tactics, have a seven points cushion over the Saint Tropez winners Provezza who amassed 17 points today including their race win.
Vāyu ’s helm Don Whitcraft concluded,
“It was a big day but we sailed well, we went quick and it was all going well. We are moving forwards in the fleet right now instead of backwards which we were at times before. We are stoked. It is great to have the support of Quantum and getting the data and the debriefs. We got away from the third start which was very nerve wracking, it was full on, as there were four boats basically stationary below us and we just managed to roll over them and get away. It feels good, we have one day to go, two races left and let’s see how it goes.”
And Quantum Racing’s young tactician Victor Diaz-de-Leon explains,
“We try to keep it low risk, right now it is do you go into a congested area to go right or being more low density and getting more chance of a good start. We try to be low risk because we know we have a good boat and a good crew. ”
52 SUPER SERIES Scarlino Sailing Week Provisional Standings
1- QUANTUM RACING POWERED BY AMERICAN MAGIC (USA), Doug DeVos, 5+1+3+10+1+1+5+2 = 28
2- VAYU (THA), Whitcraft Family, 3+6+7+1+2+3+4+4 = 30
3- PROVEZZA (TUR), Ergin Imre, 6+2+6+2+4+6+1+10 = 37
4- SLED (USA), Takashi Okura, 1+5+1+4+5+8+7+11 = 42
5- PLATOON (GER), Harm Müller-Spreer, 7+4+8+7+7+2+8+1 = 44
6- INTERLODGE (USA), Austin and Gwen Fragomen, 8+8+9+6+3+4+2+7 = 47
7- ALEGRE (GBR), Andy Soriano, 10+7+4+3+8+5+10(+2)+3 = 52
8- PHOENIX (RSA), Hasso and Tina Plattner, 4+3+11+9+6+7+3+9 = 52
9- GLADIATOR (GBR), Tony Langley, 9+9+2+5(+1)+9+9+11+6 = 61
10- PAPREC (FRA), Jean Luc Petithuguenin, 2+10+10+11+10+10+6+8 = 67
11- ALPHA+ (HKG), Shawn and Tina Kang, 11+11+5+8+11+11+9+5 = 71
