British IC45 on track for Admirals Cup

by Sue Warden-Owen on 17 Feb 2001 The opening day of the second regatta in the Clean Marine IC 45 Winter
Series 2001, organized by the Club de Mar Mallorca, saw Barlo Plastics IC 45
continue on form with Adrian Stead (tactician) and his crew securing an
impressive run of results over 4 races. In a break from his training
schedule with the OneWorld America's Cup syndicate, Ben Ainslie took the
place of Ian Walker, who successfully guest-helmed Barlo Plastics last month
to a regatta win at the first event of the three regatta Series.

Racing commenced at 14:00 today in 15 knots of breeze, however the squally
conditions on the waters of the Bay of Palma de Mallorca saw the breeze
shift between 8 to 24 knots. Exceptionally close racing saw the first 4
boats of the 6-strong fleet finish within 15 seconds of one another on Race
1, with Barlo Plastics claiming their fourth first place of the Clean Marine
Winter Series 2001, ahead of Faster K-Yote II and SEB.

Commenting on Barlo Plastics' performance during the second race of the day,
skipper Stead said, 'The racing was very close all day and on the last leg
of the second race, Babbalaas came out planing with 24-25 knots wind, it
made for some great sailing, but we managed to hold them off to take second
place to SEB, with Babbalaas in third.'

Barlo Plastics then returned to the front of the fleet, when Ainslie secured
an excellent start to race 3 at the starboard end of the line and they
gained an impressive 1½ boat-length lead, which was maintained to the
finish. La Casera took second place in race 3, however the Spanish boat
secured victory ahead of Barlo Plastics in the final race of the day, a
shorter race with only 2 legs. Barlo Plastics' only British rival in this
regatta, Babbalaas, took third.

After a successful 1-2-1-2, Stead enthused, 'It's been a brilliant day's
sailing with Ben [Ainslie] on helm, Peter Gilmore has trained him well and
it's also great to have navigator Stuart Childerley aboard. We're here to
do as much racing as possible, so hopefully we can get another four races in
tomorrow.' On the helm, Ainslie commented, 'I am delighted with my first
day on board Barlo Plastics and was especially impressed with the crew work
and boat handling - it's always good to come away with such solid results.'

Barlo Plastics are in 1st place overall after today's 4 races on 6 points
and racing continues tomorrow, Saturday 17th February and Sunday 18th. The
final regatta of the Clean Marine Winter Series 2001 is scheduled in Palma
next month before the fleet moves north in preparation for the Admiral's
Cup.