30th Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse - Day 2
by Isabelle Andrieux 2 Feb 2014 06:31 GMT
31 January -2 February 2014
Final podiums shaping up in some classes
A change of programme for the second day of the Primo Cup – Trophée Credit Suisse. After Friday's easterly breeze and swell, conditions were slightly more complicated for the crews to negotiate today. Again divided into two groups, the 80 one-designs had to cope with a variable 5-17 knot westerly. At the end of the two races completed today, there were a few changes in some classes while others consolidated their positions. In the J/24s, Il Riccio confirmed their position as did Strange Little Girl in the Dragons. For their part, Signaterre and Squalo Bianco VII snatched first place in the Surprise and Star classes respectively. In the IRC and at the end of just one race, Team Vision Future continues its lone ride at the front, but it's looking like a close battle for 2nd and 3rd place. With just one day left in the competition, the final podium finishes are shaping up, but while some teams may already have victory in their sights much tougher conditions are forecast for Sunday that could cause an upset.
J/24
In this best represented series at the 30th edition, with 21 competitors, the starts in the J/24 are always hotly disputed. A strong current off the coast of Monaco did not help contestants who were nearly all over the line on the first start of the first race. After a general recall, the fleet finally got on their way with the leaders rapidly pulling away in the wake of Jan Southworth's Il Riccio, intractable in these conditions. With a 1st and 7th place, Il Riccio consolidates their first place in the overall rankings. An excellent day too for the Greek J/24 Evniki, who was lying 3rd overall yesterday evening and only accumulated 4 points (3-1) today. Skipper Dimitrios Altisiadis and his crew have hoisted themselves into 2nd place, just 2 points behind Il Riccio. "We are very happy to be here. It's the second time we've participated in the Primo Cup and it really is our favourite regatta." Meanwhile Ian Ilsely (St Andrews Securities) dropped a place and is lying third, 8 points behind the leader.
Surprise
On a much calmer sea than yesterday, the Surprises took advantage of a steady 10-plus knot westerly off the Oceanographic Museum. After two races, Signaterre had a good day, recovering their first position in the overall ranking. An 11th and 7th place meant Indigo lost their lead. This evening they were 5 points adrift of the leaders. A 6th and 4th place put Loïc Forestier's Aprotec into the top three this evening, just 1 point behind Indigo. There's still everything to play for in this class as 4 points separate 2nd from 5th place.
Star
With 5 races under their belts over two days and a total of 8 points, Squalo Bianco VII and Fram are currently tied in first place in the provisional rankings.
In accumulating 14 points in two races, Filippo and Andrea Orlando's Acciuga Jr lost ground today but still have one foot on the podium. In this demanding category, none of the teams are dominating the series and there could still be a big upset in the rankings tomorrows.
Dragon
Still neck and neck after 5 races, the Russian Dmitry Samokhin (Strange Little Girl) and the Monegasque Michael Kurtz' Activists were only separated by 1 point this evening, with Anatoli Loginov (Anapurnna) 2 points adrift. While Friday was notable for Strange Little Girl's superiority, the level was that much higher today, with the top three in the overall rankings accumulating the same number of points today.
Activists and Anapurnna still have to make up a 2-point deficit to hope for a win.
IRC
On a course set further east, the 24 IRC boats in competition had to cope with much lighter conditions and just one race which again was won by GP 42 Team Vision Future (1 - 1 - 1 - 1), widening the gap with its closest rivals Forrest Gump III and Esparlica 3. It seems difficult in this IRC class 1&2 to challenge the supremacy of Team Vision Future who look set to win the Primo Cup in this category. In the IRC 3&4, Adrien Follin's Give Me Five is in the lead this evening 2 points clear of François Perrot's Shemapü and Eric Bompard's Boulinou, 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Tomorrow's forecast looks promising with a steady 20-knots beckoning. Leaders in the various classes will have to concentrate hard to resist the challenges of those closest to them and maintain their ranking.
Provisional Results after Day 2:
Dragon after 5 races (4 counted)
1. Strange Little Girl (RUS): 6 pts
2. Activists (MON): 7 pts
3. Anapurnna (RUS): 9 pts
IRC 1 & 2 after 4 races (3 counted)
1. Team Vision Future (SUI): 3 pts
2. Forest Gump III (MON): 6 pts
3. Esparlica 3 (FRA): 10 pts
IRC 3 & 4 after 4 races (3 counted)
1. Give me Five (FRA): 7 pts
2. Sheamapü (FRA): 9 pts
3. Boulinou (FRA): 9pts
J/24 ater 5 races (4 counted)
1. Il Riccio (GBR): 9 pts
2. Evniki (GRE): 11 pts
3. St Andrews Securities (MON): 12 pts
Star after 5 races (4 counted)
1. Squalo Bianco VII (SUI): 8 pts
2. Fram (SUI): 8 pts
3. Acciuga Jr (MON): 13 pts
Surprise after 5 races (4 counted)
1. Signaterre (SUI): 9 pts
2. Indigo (FRA): 14 pts
3. Aprotec (SUI): 15 pts
www.ycm.org