The 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit consists of six events in four countries and could see as many as 60 races sailed by the end of the season. In a no discard race circuit, meaning that for the first time every race counts, extra emphasis is being placed by teams on their ability to finish consistently well and the reliability of their boats. Equipment failure and retirement will prove costly on points – as will tactical risk taking on the race course. Never before has a 60-race series been organised for a fleet of this calibre featuring the very best sailors in the world, be they Olympic medallists, America’s Cup winners, owner-drivers or One Design champions.
20 teams from 12 nations are now in the final three-week countdown to the opening event of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit to be run in Alicante, Spain (12 - 17 May). In Alicante, as at all subsequent events, teams will race a five-day regatta featuring as many as nine inshore races and one coastal race.
The 20-boat fleet is split between eight brand new yachts, yachts that are currently in the process of being commissioned and made race ready, and 12 teams and their yachts that represent the best from previous years of the MedCup Circuit. Many of this latter group have extensively modified their yachts over the winter, with new bow sections, rigs, appendages and deck layouts. But significantly many of this latter group have also been training hard and involved in race and speed practice sessions in the pre-season so as to take maximum advantage of their competitive situation whilst the new and potentially quicker yachts are brought fully up to speed.
The profile of the crews across the fleet, although essentially the same as in previous years, sees a further refinement in professionalism as training for this year’s circuit appears to have been much more widespread than before, with some teams even sailing in other classes in the build up to the Audi MedCup Circuit such as the Melges 24, RC44 and Farr 40 classes.
