If the opening day of the regatta offered a modest introduction to ‘Mistral-lite’ conditions, 15-19 knots, today’s two windward-leeward contests met with conditions much closer to the upper racing limit for the Audi MedCup Fleet of TP52’s. After an initial postponement, waiting for the wind to drop enough, there were still 22 knots blowing from the Mistral’s hallmark North West direction when Race 4 started. With the windward mark set under the cliffs of the Isle du Frioul the breeze may have been strong, but it was erratic at times on the approach to the top turn.
The day’s second race proved a resounding victory for Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew on the new Botin & Carkeek-designed Quantum Racing, their first win this season for a team which won the 2005 circuit. Vicente Torado’s CXG Caixa Galicia (ESP) also raised team morale with a hard won second, their navy blue bow and iconic ’watching-eye’ gennaker breaking the line ahead of a four-way scramble across the finish line, pipping Artemis which has their 2007 season tactician Kostecki on board.
