The second day of fleet racing proved to be an eventful day at the RC44 Sweden Cup. Three different boats each won a race, Holland’s No Way Back took the overall lead and a collision between Artemis Racing and Peninsula Petroleum stopped the Swedes from being able to compete in the final race of the day.
It was the team from Austria, AEZ, who took the first win of the day, in a race that saw the wind continually shift left - a pattern that was to continue throughout the day. Holland’s No Way Back were the next to take the gun. And finally it was the turn of one of the four Russian boats competing in the RC44 Championship Tour, Team Nika. Their win pushed them up to seventh overall just three points off the podium positions.
No Way Back are the only team to so far have not picked up a double figure score in Sweden. They finished the day with a slim one point lead over France’s Aleph Sailing. Asked of their strategy for the rest of the regatta owner Pieter Heerema was clear. “We won’t be trying to do anything different tomorrow just keep consistent, good starts allow you to sail your own race and in these conditions it’s really good if you have the room to do your own thing. If you get caught in the fleet it’s like a pin ball machine, you get bounced around.”
The collision between Artemis Racing (SWE) and Peninsula Petroleum (GBR) happened just before the preparatory signal for the final race of the day. Inaki Castaner, tactician onboard Peninsula Petroleum, explained. “We were on starboard tack and we didn't see Artemis and they didn't see us.” The incident resulted in Peninsula Petroleum crumpling their bow crash box and left Artemis Racing with a hole on their starboard side and needing to be craned out.
With limited damage the team on Peninsula Petroleum were able to compete in the final race of the day. Artemis Racing however will have a long night ahead of them looking to see if they can make a temporary repair that will give them a chance of racing tomorrow.
Artemis Racing’s Torbjorn Tornqvist was having a great regatta in his home waters, lying second in the overall rankings, before the collision as he explained when he stepped ashore. “Artemis Racing had two good races this morning finishing third and fifth. Most unfortunately, prior to the start of race four we were involved in a collision with Peninsula Petroleum, which resulted in serious damage to our RC44. The boat has been hauled out and we are currently assessing the damage.”
With only seven points separating the top eight boats it is still anyone’s game here in Marstrand. Racing continues the RC44 Sweden Cup until Sunday 21st August with racing due to start at 11.30 (CET) daily. You can follow the racing live via live tracking on both your computer and smartphone http://tractrac.com/ and the live blog www.rc44.com
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An eventful day in Marstrand 19th August 2011