Fleet racing at the RC44 Valletta Cup got off to a challenging start on Malta’s north coast yesterday, the 11 crews taking on some of the biggest waves and most confused seas they have ever encountered in their slender one designs.
With the start area for the windward-leeward courses set up off St Julian’s, the first race was made no easier as the wind dropped off to six knots, leaving the boats at the mercy of the big waves on the downwind legs. There was then a wait for the breeze to settle before it re-established itself in the northeast, building to 18-20 knots for race two and dropping considerably for the third and final bout.
Despite his absence from the circuit, it was Slovenian skipper Igor Lah and Team CEEREF that claimed the first two races.
Assisted by Adrian Stead calling tactics and Tim Powell on mainsheet, Lah said: “I was extremely well placed on the start line and from that point it was pretty easy. When you are in front and there are no collisions – you just sail your own way.”
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect day for Lah’s team was a disappointing ninth place finish in the third race.
Stead admitted that he had misjudged the start. Team CEEREF ended up ducking the entire fleet on port tack and they also made some wrong calls at the top of the second beat. They ended the day leading, but tied on points with Katusha.
The Russian-owned RC44 yesterday sailed with former Synergy team manager Maxim Logutenko helming for the first time, resulting in a seventh place in race one but them improved considerably to gather two second placings.
“We kept getting better and better,” said Synergy’s tactician Andy Horton.
“Today it was tough. In the first two races the wind was shifting back and forth – so hardly straightforward.”
However the left, offshore side of the course paid all day with better pressure.
Bronenosec Sailing Team had the most consistent day finishing third overall, but just a point off the lead.
“We made a few mistakes, but it is not bad to be third at the end of the first day,” said skipper Vladimir Liubomirov.
“The weather was not so easy, but we saved our boat. I am happy and we know how we can improve, which is important.”
The final race was won in emphatic style by Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika.
On board as tactician, following his recent departure from Emirates Team New Zealand, is Dean Barker, sailing his first regatta with the Russian team.
“The first one we were all out of sorts, we did a late jib change,” described the America’s Cup legend.
“In the second we were battling a bit for pace, but we managed to chip away a little bit and in the last race we got a good start. We had a great first run and the rest of the race was very enjoyable.”
But the overwhelming memory for the participating crews yesterday was surfing down the big waves in race two, fun but making boat handling through the gybes a significant test for the crews.
“When it’s only 10-12 knots it is not much fun,” said Barker. “But in 18-20 knots, the boats come alive.”
With a full gale forecast for this afternoon, the race committee intends to start early with the first start scheduled for 9.30am.