Day 4 from the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

Wow! day 4 was a tough one. The forecast was for a light unstable breeze on day 4 but the committee took us out in search of suitable racing breeze. We started our pre-race practice in about 6-8 knots and put in some upwind work, a set, and some downwind work. The committee started a sequence in breeze that was now up to around 12 knots and was combined with a sloppy swell.

We started race 6 slow and probably a half boat length back off of the line. In that position we were in a tough sandwich between Airis to Leeward, and Endesa and Puerto Calero to windward. After trying to hold our lane in a drag to the left we finally had to tack out and take some sterns. The rest of the beat was like watching a bad movie as we continued to sail backwards out of contention for the race, and the regatta. We rounded the topmark last, and remained last down the run and around the leeward mark.

On the second beat we were set up left of the fleet and benefited from a 10 degree shift and some pressure right at the top of the beat which allowed us to leapfrog 3 boats and to round 2nd. Is this a miracle comeback in the making? It was certainly looking that way because Airis was running 3rd ahead of Endesa which would have given us the Portimao trophy. We did our part to finish second behind Puerto Calero, but Airis couldn’t stay in front of Endessa so we watch our miracle slip away.

In the end we finished the Portimao regatta equal on points with Endesa but lost on the countback, so 2nd place for the Roma in Portimao. We also ended up in a tie with Puerto Calero for the Medcup series, but again we lose the countback, and end up listed as 2nd. The tie in the Medcup standings certainly sets up the next regatta in Cartagena as the battle royal.

The sailing is very close amongst the top 3 boats and we will need to be on our toes to pull out the win. The mods we completed at FYD for Roma have certainly resulting in a more all around boat than in the previous season. If we can consistently start well we should be able to win the Medcup. Certainly our upwind speed is superior, and our maneuvers are good. Downwind we have to work hard to defend. Mentally we need to toughen up a bit as well in order to secure the win.

Next for me is a long travel day on Monday, followed by a short week in the office. Next weekend I’m off to a show in Amsterdam for the launch of the new Bavaria Cruiser 32 designed by FYD. Stand by for an update regarding the launch of our newest production boat design.

Patrick Shaughnessy