Gonzalo Rocha Wins J/80 Copa de Espana

(Barcelona, Spain- May 29-30)- Real Club Nautico de Barcelona and the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation hosted the fourth J/80 Copa de Espana, a prelude to the J/80 Spanish Championships next month.  Sailing TURISMO DE ALGARVE, Hugo Gonzalo Rocha and Araújo, who was competing under the pennant of Arenys de Mar Boat Club, have been proclaimed champions.  Second overall was PERALEJA GOLF skippered by Carlos Martinez from the Real Club de Regatas Santiago de la Ribera and third overall was GUNTER, skippered by Javier Scherk from RCNB, the host club.

The fleet had good wind conditions for the first day, with four races run by the RCNB Race Committee in 9 knot winds from ESE to SE, with some large windshifts making it a challenge for some of the crews.  It was clear from the beginning of the regatta that it would be a three-way battle for the podium with Rocha, Martinez and the defending champions, Ignacio Camino sailing NEXTEL ENGINEERING, fighting for the top spots.  However, two bad races (a ninth and thirteenth) by Camino took him out of the running early, opening the door for Scherk's GUNTER to take third overall.

Hugo Rocha, tactician on TURISMO DE ALGARVE said, "It's been a very positive experience, with the competitive fleet that is in Barcelona it is very important to keep up with good, consistent races.  The level that is in the City is of very high quality, with the world champion in 2008, among others- Camino's NEXTEL ENGINEERING. The results were more or less expected, although I note Javier Scherk who has had a wonderful day and I'm happy because he is my friend."

Carlos Martinez sailing PERALEJA GOLF said, "It was a beautiful day for sailing .. 7 to 9 knots of wind. A good level for training and that after the Copa de Espana, we go to the Europeans in Italy and then to the Worlds Newport.  The secret of our success is undoubtedly the crew-- the four owners have all sailed together for a long time for Club Deportivo. We have been sailing together for many years in this type of boat, in the four races on the first day the windward leg was favored on the right, so if you make a bad start or stay in the middle of the fleet is difficult to make good gains."

Javier Scherk, owner and skipper of GUNTER, said "I am delighted with today- sun and wind- happy sailor!  The race course has been very tight, the groups of boats came within seconds apart-- this is what happens when we compete against the world elite of J80. We take the Copa de Espana as seriously as the World Championship to be held in Newport, I'll be proud to represent the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, which again demonstrates just as everybody knows how to organize races."    For more Copa de Espana sailing information.     Photo credits: Jesus Renedo