TP52 – Phoenix Steady in the Middle

by Richard Crockett

The Bay of Palma served up a typical Pandora’s Box of sea breeze delights for the first three races of the Puerto Portals 52 SUPER SERIES Sailing Week.

Although the general trend was for the gains to be made on the right side of the upwinds on the three windward-leeward races contested, it was never that simple and straightforward and there were small gains and losses to be made all the way through each race.

Tina Plattner and her international crew which includes a smattering of South Africans had a ‘mediocre’ yet consistent day yesterday, with a 3rd being their best result.

Provezza were on top form for the second race, tactician Tony Rey (USA) and navigator Nacho Postigo reading the streaky, split breeze to perfection. They led out to the early right, into the better pressure and shift to be first around the windward mark with Luna Rossa second. On the second upwind the two leaders traded tacks, but it was Provezza that went on to win with Luna Rossa second and Tina Plattner’s Phoenix taking third.

“It was a long, intense day really but great, great racing. It is very shifty, very puffy and I think our guys read it well. Finding the pressure and the angles in to the finish was key for us and our guys did a great job at that,” smiled Doug DeVos owner-driver of Quantum Racing.

Regatta standings after three races:
1. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (2,4,2) 8 p.
2. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (4,1,7) 12 p.
3. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto Roemmers) (6,5,1) 12 p.
4. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) (3,6,3) 12 p.
5. Phoenix (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) (5,3,4) 12 p.
6. Luna Rossa (ITA) (Patrizio Bertelli) (7,2,6) 15 p.
7. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) (1,10,8) 19 p.
8. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) (8,9,5) 22 p.
9. Gladiator (GBR) (Tony Langley) (10,7,9) 26 p.
10. Onda (BRA) (Eduardo de Souza Ramos) (8,9,DNF11) 28 p.