Azzurra claim first Copa del Rey win

Audi Azzurra Sailing Team claimed their first line-honours win in the second day of IRC 1 racing at the 31st Copa del Rey on Tuesday, after their closest rivals Audi All4One damaged their spinnaker mid-race.

Just two seconds separated the two Audi teams halfway through the first race of the day, before All4One damaged their spinnaker during a maneuver near the final top mark rounding to slump down the finish order.

Across the finish line PowerPlay finished second, All4One third, Gladiator fourth, followed by Provezza, Paprec and Aquila. On IRC Azzurra held the top spot, followed by PowerPlay, Gladiator, All4One, Provezza, Paprec and Aquila.

After a general recall, which was forced by multiple jump-starters, the eager-to-race teams got off to a clear start at about 1330 local with plenty of tussling at the committee boat end.

The fleet split in two, with Audi All4One leading the charge on the right-side and Audi Azzurra tending left, as the 13 competitors headed for the top mark, 2.3 nautical miles away, in a strengthening 14 knot west-southwesterly breeze.

Azzurra were first at the top mark, leading the downwind charge with a gybe-set, followed by All4One, PowerPlay, Provezza, Gladiator, Aquila. Division leaders Paprec followed Aquila, in a dramatic slip from form compared to their opening day’s success.

Whitecaps formed in Palma Bay as the teams rocketed under spinnaker at speeds in excess of 20 knots to the first gate rounding in a 16-plus knot breeze.

All4One edged into the lead by just two seconds ahead of Azzurra as they rounded alternate gates, followed by PowerPlay, Gladiator, Provezza, Aquila and Paprec, who struggled to catch the leaders.

Azzurra proved too strong edging to a 14 second lead at the final top mark rounding, followed by All4One who reportedly damaged their spinnaker during a hoist.

Rán finished second in the IRC 0 division, behind Highland Fling, and remains at the top of the overall leaderboard.