A long day on the water for the 16 TP52’s at the City of Alicante Trophy, the first regatta of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit as they took part in the 30 mile long coastal race around Tabarca Island. The ultimate reward was for 2006 MedCup Champion Peter de Ridder (NED) and his Mean Machine crew who collected the best points, after leading through the mid race scoring gate and taking the winning gun by a comfortable margin.
Mean Machine tactical duo Ray Davies (NZL) and Tom Dodson (NZL) called the crucial first beat perfectly and the black hulled new Judel/Vrolijk design, launched only three weeks ago, was able to fend off any advances through a smart combination of good speed, through optimum sail selection across the very differing wind speeds, good trimming and the right tactical calls when the breeze went light and unsettled over the final few miles.
Mean Machine, who won twice yesterday, now leads the Audi MedCup Circuit and the City of Alicante Trophy regatta by a single point from the American boat Quantum Racing owned by Doug de Vos (USA) and Fred Howe (USA). Just one point behind them are Tau Ceramica Andalucia (ESP) who lead on Day 1, and who continue to sail smartly with the former Artemis, which won the Med Cup Circuit overall last year.
