IXth Barcelona Puig Vela Clàssica - Day 2
by Alejandro Posilio 16 Jul 2016 11:51 BST
13-16 July 2016
Thousands of people enjoyed yesterday's second day of the IXth Regatta Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona since the route provided by the organization was drawn near the Barcelona coastline, from Port Forum to Hotel W. The yachts sailed very close to the coast so that the public could enjoy, one more day, this unique spectacle of nautical jewels.
One of the main attractions of the regatta is that, due to the characteristics of the competition, boats sail close together, making it possible for the crews to look closely at the sailing manoeuvres of their competitors and offer a tighter race.
A coastal route
The conditions offered by Barcelona racing course were excellent again on this second day of the Regatta Puig Vela Clàssica. A thermal South wind, Garbí, has been present one more time, blowing from 12 to 14 knots. The strong current against the wind created a very short and vertical swell, inconveniencing boats of medium and small lengths.
The Regatta Committee chose to undertake a coastal route for the five categories. Classic and Vintage boats shared the stage: six sections and a distance of 13.7 miles, while Big Boats sailed 17.8 miles in different sections.
The day began with a protest, involving Nerissa and Argos boats for an incident in the pre-start test on Thursday. Finally, the jury decided to disqualify both boats, Nerissa for not having kept separated from Argos, and this one for failing to prevent the approach, that was "technically" carried out by the first one, despite there was no danger or material or personal consequences.
Thus, Alba of Damian Ribas, confirmed its aspirations for the final victory after winning yesterday's test, this time by a close margin of 21 seconds over Kanavel, whereas Argos was third, less than a minute after its rival. In Classics 1, there was a new victory of Guia, of Ramon Rosés, with almost two minutes ahead of Yanira. Thirty seconds later Outlaw finished third.
In Marconi Époque, Islander was yesterday's leader, with a close margin of 13 seconds over Sonato, while Halloween, the third, was classified 2.40 minutes behind the winner. Identical results to those of yesterday were registered yesterday at Marconi Époque, with Marigold as a leader, followed by Kelpie of Falmouth and Gipsy, who tried to surprise them by taking the exit tacked port side.
Big Boats Moonbeam IV sailed ahead of Sumurum and Moonbeam III, whereas Eleonora was wrong at the mark of the second buoy, sailing several additional miles, which has made it was considerably delayed.
Before the final round that will be held tomorrow, the sum of the two results in some categories offer a clear favourite for the final victory, while others promise intense duels for the outcome of their podium places. In Marconi Époque things are more equal, as Islander, with 3 points (2-1) will try to defend itself from Halloween attack, which adds a point (1-3), whereas Sonata accumulates only 2 more (3-2) than the leader. Today they will compete playing all their cards for the victory of the day and the absolute victory in the regatta.
There will also be an intense fighting in Classics 1 category, but this by the positions of consolation, as Guia has got 4-point lead (1-1) over the chasing group. The trio of boats composed by Yanira, Samarkand and Outlaw is tied at 6 points and tomorrow start sailing with everything in the air.
In Classics 2, Alba will start being the leader, with two point lead (1-1) respect to Kanavel (2-2), and with 5 on Atrevido (3-4). Argos (12-3) ranks sixth in the provisional classification, but will surely try to clean out the 4 points that separate it from the fourth position. The weather forecasts predict, for the Cangreja Époque, a final triumph for Marigold, with 2 points (1-1), but it should avoid mistakes to avert being overtaken by Kelpie Falmouth or Gipsy.
The Puig Vela Clàssica trophy for Big Boats is still an enigma, since Moonbeam IV leads with one point lead (1-2) on Moonbeam III (1-3) and two regarding Sumurum (3-2), whereas Eleonora (4-4) is already out for the final victory.
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