Trofeo de Vela Conde de Godó - Overall
by Neus Jordi 6 Jun 2016 09:21 BST
5 June 2016
'Rats on Fire' win Trofeo de Vela Conde de Godó 2016 © Nico Martinez
Rats on Fire, led by Rafael Carbonell, Noluco Doreste and Rayco Tabares, achieved today in the waters of Barcelona (Spain) its seventh victory in the classic race organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona since 1974, becoming the third team with the most victories in the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophies. The International teams US Extreme Ways and Italian Low Noise II, current world champion, took the bronze in ORC 0-1 and silver in ORC 2 respectively.
Up to 60 boats from ten different countries gathered in Barcelona, reference point in organizing sailing events, to compete for the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy. This one will be remembered for crowning Rats on Fire a seventh time, and fourth in a row, as champion of the great Barcelona regatta.
Only two teams (who are no longer active) have a better record in this prestigious competition, José Cusí and HM King Juan Carlos' Bribón (11 victories) and César Obregón's Lupa (with eight trophies, seven of them consecutive).
Owned by Rafael Carbonell, with Rayco Tabares as skipper and Noluco Doreste calling the tactics, the Catalan Swan 45 has certified its status as the best team with three victories in this decisive day. They achieved a five-point lead over their closest rival, the Grand Soleil 50 Gramona, which had in its ranks Guillermo Altadill and Fernando Leon. Andrew Holdsworth's American XP 38 Extreme Ways completes the final podium in this group.
"It's been two days of intense racing -explained Rafael Carbonell-, with different wind conditions. I feel good, calm, and happy. They are seven titles in the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy. It is important and we appreciate the excellent crew work, but we shouldn't value it as something extraordinary. What we value is to do what we like the most".
In ORC 2, Fyord-Maverta remains unbeaten this season. Pedro Gil and Jose Luis Maldonado's Rodman 42 improved last year's second place by winning in this competitive fleet with two points ahead of the current world champion, Giuseppe Giuffre's Low Noise II-Phiinumber-Ubi Maior, with Willy Garcia in his crew. The Italian boat overtook today Laplaza Assessors.
The Dufour 34 Fanytas was the winner in ORC 3-4, after winning six races back to back in the 43 Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy. This is its second victory in the great Barcelona regatta. The runner-up was the Bavaria 36 Tibere, after overtaking RO 330 Escert.
Surprise in the J80 class, with the final victory of the team Ramón Pelayo Abogados Marbella Team, owned by Pepequín Orbaneja and with Canary Leonardo Armas as skipper, which prevailed over last year's defending champion, José María Van der Ploeg's world champion Nautica Watches. Akewuele took the bronze of the 43 Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy.
The last day of competition in the waters of the city of Barcelona begun with Southerly winds with 6-7 knots of speed, this shifted to the right to finish blowing from the SW and with an intensity of 15 to 16 knots. Each of the four groups sailed up to three races.
The winners of the 43 Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy, and especially Rats on Fire, were honoured this afternoon in the race village at the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona during the prize giving ceremony. The event was chaired by the General Secretary of Sport, Gerard Figueras; the Sports Commissioner of the Barcelona City Council, David Escudé; the President of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation, Julia Casanueva; the Vice President of the Catalan Sailing Federation, Joaquín Barenys; the president and the commodore of the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, Félix Escalas and Damián Ribas, respectively; the director of the Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy, Marc de Antonio, and Anna Godó, representing the Godó Group.
Organized by the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona with the collaboration of the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation and the Catalan Sailing Federation, the 43 Conde de Godó Sailing Trophy has the support of La Vanguardia, the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya. It also counts on the help of Coca-Cola, Nº 3, The Glenrothes, Gramona, Casa Westfalia, Snapea Crisps, Estrella Damm, Slastik, VIP Style Magazine and Gill.
For results see www.trofeocondegodo.com/es/resultados/2016