Following Storm Charles’ crossing of Spain’s Murcia region, the 44Cup fleet ventured out of Cartagena, faced with 20 knot winds and severe wave conditions, among the most challenging seen in the class’s history. This event marks the beginning of the 44Cup Cartagena, the final and non-discardable race of the 44Cup season, supported by the Ayuntamiento de Cartagena, Gobierno Región de Murcia, and the Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena.
In the ‘liquid Himalayas’ with 2-3m waves and winds peaking at 25 knots, John Bassadone’s Peninsula Racing demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning two out of three races. In the second race, Peninsula Racing overcame strong competitors, including Pietro Loro Piana’s Aleph Racing and defending champion Vladimir Prosikhin’s Team Nika, to lead into the top mark ahead of Chris Bake’s Team Aqua and ultimately secured their first victory.
In the third race, Peninsula Racing won the start and maintained their lead throughout, reaching the top mark ahead of Team Aqua. A significant right shift during the second beat allowed them to extend their advantage, leading to their second win of the day and an early lead in the regatta. Tactician Vasco Vascotto credited their success to anticipating the breeze and selecting the right sail for the conditions.
Vascotto noted the extreme wave conditions, stating, “The conditions were tough. I’m pleased to have returned with all my teeth! The wind was at the limit for the class. We reached speeds of 23 knots.”
Markus Törnqvist’s GeMera Racing was the only strong contender against Peninsula Racing, winning the first race and finishing with a 5-2 score. However, even in the first race, Peninsula Racing showcased their skills by recovering from a last-place start to finish third.
Tomorrow, expectations are for winds of 10-12 knots, anticipated to be less severe than today’s conditions.
#44Cup #the44cup ##PeninsulaRacing
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