J/97E Dominates ORC Class, Big Battle in J/80s
(Palma Mallorca, Spain)- The first major offshore sailing event on the Mediterranean calendar took place this past weekend- the 16th edition of Sail Racing PalmaVela. Organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma, the regatta for 124 teams from 23 countries was held from the 8th to 12th of May. The sailors were treated to four spectacular days of sailing on the beautiful Bay of Palma.
In the ORC 2 Class, the Frenchman Olivier Parchet & Russian Andrey Kochnev’s joined forces on the J/122 NOISY OYSTER to take fifth place with a 4-3-5-5-4 record for 16 pts. Then, in the ORC 4 Class, Englishman Scott Beattie’s J/97E JUST THE JOB completely cleaned house, so to speak, sweeping the class with a record of all 1sts to count for 4 pts net!
Sailing nearly as dominating in the J/80 one-design class was Miquel Pujadas & Helena Alegre’s ATILA, they won counting six 1sts and two 2nds for 10 pts net! However, the big battle took place just behind them for the balance of the top five. In the end, it was Kristyn Gills’ COOPER RIGGING that placed second with 17.5 pts net, Jason Beaver’s NAUTIPAINTS was third with 24.5 pts net, 4th was Pablo Mellino’s Spanish crew on ALOJA with 27 pts net, and 5th was Andrew Cheetham’s British crew on CONFERMA with 34 pts net.
What was fascinating to observe in the lead up to the TP52 Super Series was how many of the top teams were led by former (and current) J/Owners and J/Sailing alumni. Here is the breakdown of top J/sailors dominating the TP52 class:
1st- Ed Baird (J/24 World Champion) steering Doug Devos’ QUANTUM RACING (J/44 Great Lakes Champion/ Chicago-Mac Race winners). The same team has included Terry Hutchinson as skipper/ tactician (J/24 World Champion and now spearheading the New York YC America’s Cup campaign).
2nd- Harm Muller Spreer’s PLATOON- from Germany- J/70s
3rd- Alberto Roemmer’s AZZURA- from Italy- J/24s
4th- Takashi Okura’s SLED- from Japan- J/24s in Japan and J/70s in the USA
6th- Hasso Plattner & daughter Kristina Plattner’s PHOENIX- from Germany- J/24, J/105, J/125
7th- Vladimir Liubomirov’s BRONENOSEC- from Russia with USA tactician Morgan Larson- J/24s
9th- Tony Langley’s GLADIATOR- UK- J/24s in England
Sailing photo credits- Nico Martinez. For more PalmaVela Regatta sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.
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