Copa del Rey Agua Brava - The Off Shore Race Will Set Distances Among The Favorites. The Local Mild Breeze, Embat, Appears In Palma Bay. Early Morning
Arrival, Might Provide Surprises In Classifications
[ 7-30-2003 / 19:2 ]

The “off shore” leg of the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava, arises the competition interest as every year.

IMS 500, started the previous course inside the bay at 13.00 hours with a mild breeze (denominated “embat”) of 10 knots; this course, consists on a first hauled and two running free. In this first stage, Caixa Galicia dominated Subaru X-Sport by a short margin, followed by Bribón which waited to start its particular fight. Banco Espirito Santo, in fourth position, got ahead from Azur de Puig of HM princess Cristina, and the Cam of HM Prince Felipe, sixth. It is relevant to state that a small shifting of the wind at the start, caused that Codorníu as well as TAU-UB remained behind from the beginning.

The start of IMS 600 group took place at 13.10 with a renewed fight among the Gran Soleil boats. Jazztel sailed at the top in the haul but, by the time the buoy was reached, was passed by Italtel by stem, followed by Wind, third in passing the buoy, Zurich and Fórum Filatélico. Behind them, there was a clear fight among the Rodman boats with the Husa Hotels before the Telefónica Movistar.

The fleet sailed closely when passing Cala Figuera, but as the fleet got closer to the island, the first shifts stretched the regatta’s head. In that moments the wind was between 6 and 7 knots, and the boats speed was in the vicinity of the 7 knots.

Although it is expected an uncertain night, we know that the boats will make the number 5 course, meaning that the fleet is not going to sail to Cabrera, but directly to Cabo Blanco, where the most expert crews should take advantage of this zone of sea and land winds confluences.

At 18.00 hours the wind shifted at 180 with a 10 intensity knots. With these conditions, the arrival of the boats is expected at 1.00 hours.

Official Site - Copa del Rey Agua Brava