Great first day of competition in the Pontevedra estuary. The ninth edition of the Rey Juan Carlos Regatta – El Corte Inglés Master has opened the markers today, Friday, with the dispute of the first tests for the ORC 0-2, ORC 3-4 and 6 Meter Classic and Open classes. With the testing program complete in this first round of the weekend, “Mirfak”, “Travesío”, “Bribon” and “Stella” are the first leaders of the event organized by the Real Club Náuticode Sanxenxo (RCNS).
© María Muiña / Rey Juan Carlos RegattaWith the initial horn scheduled at 4:00 p.m. for all categories, the race committee was able to start on time with a northwest wind that fluctuated between 13 and 15 knots throughout the afternoon, which allowed two races to be competed. for the ORC fleet on the regatta course located in front of Ons and another two for the 6 Meters in the center of the estuary, in front of Sanxenxo.
“Mirfak” and “Travesío”, first leaders in ORC
There were no surprises between the ORC fleet 0-2 and the “Mirfak” of the Spanish Navy with Diego López at the controls, which aimed to be one of the first in the classification, debuted its score with two partial victories that place it as the first leader of the Rey Juan Carlos Regatta – El Corte Inglés Master. Behind, second is the “Urbapaz” of Fran Edreira, from CN Cabanas, with two second places scored and third is the “Ozosana” of Juan Carlos Pérez, from CN Combarro, which debuts with two third positions.
© María Muiña / Rey Juan Carlos RegattaIn ORC 3-4, for its part, the local team “Travesío” of Álvaro Martínez Abalo had no rival on the regatta field and sealed two brilliant first positions that placed it at the top of the provisional general classification. The second and third position was occupied by two teams from the Marín Naval Racing Commission: the “Regulus II” of Francisco Javier Pavon and the “Regulus IV” of Hugo Ozalla.
“Bribon” and “Stella” take the lead in 6 Meters
The two divisions of the 6 Meters, Classic and Open, have also debuted this Friday at the Real Club Náutico de Sanxenxo, a test in which the fleet measures strength on the same regatta field where the Xacobeo Trophy will be held. which will put the European Championship of the class into play starting next Monday.
Among the Classic fleet, the RCNS “Bribon” did not fail, which today had Ross MacDonald at the helm in the absence of King Don Juan Carlos. The current world and European champion of the class won the two regattas held on this opening day and debuts as the first leader of the table ahead of the Finnish “Astree III” of the Nyländska Jk club and the French “Fun” of Louis Heckly of the YC de France, which occupy second and third position respectively, with two second places for the Finnish boat and 3-5 results for the Heckly team.
© María Muiña / Rey Juan Carlos RegattaVioleta Álvarez’s “Stella” also had no problems dominating the fleet with a partial victory and a second in her box. The RCNS team won with three points of advantage in the general standings over the Swiss “Duyclop” of Francois Brenac, which is placed in second place with a partial 3-3, and six over the “Momo” of Dieter Schoen of the SC St. Moritz, which closes the provisional podium with a second and a seventh scored.
Mauricio Sánchez-Bella’s “Titia” suffers a broken mast
Difficult day, for its part, for Mauricio Sánchez-Bella’s “Titia”. The RCNS boat, which also started as one of the favorites to fight for the top positions in the table, suffered a broken mast in the first race of the day, which prevented it from competing in any of the two rounds contested by the moment.
Once on land, Sánchez-Bella explained that “it happened in a maneuver on the first beat, but luckily no one was hurt, which is the most important thing, and we have another mast with which we are already working against the clock to have it ready.” for the European. We may not have time to solve it tomorrow but the entire team will stay working tonight to be ready again as soon as possible. The fleet is very even, the crossings between boats are millimeters and you can see the high level that exists between all the teams. Without a doubt it will be one of the tightest championships in recent years,” he added.
© María Muiña / Rey Juan Carlos RegattaThe RCNS village, meeting point after the competition
Once the first day of racing was over, at 7:30 p.m. the activity moved to the RCNS village, where sailors, skippers and shipowners could enjoy a seafood snack with tastings of local products from Galicia Calidade, all of it. enlivened by the concert of the group Lote González & David Chiquillo.
Nearly 200 boats will compete tomorrow in the Pontevedra estuary
The four divisions that have debuted today will be joined tomorrow, Saturday, by five that will fill the Pontevedra estuary with sails: ORC 5, ORC Open, Veterans, Optimist and Adapted Sail. In total, almost 200 boats fighting for the title of the prestigious Salnés event.
If wind conditions allow, the first to take action will be the 6 Meters, Veterans and the different ORC groups with the first start of the day scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Optimists and the students of the National Center for Adapted Sailing, for their part, will start at 2:00 p.m.
PROVISIONAL PODIUM
ORC 0-3
1. Mirfak, Diego López (CNR Ferrol), 2 points
2. Urbapaz, Fran Edreira (CN Cabanas), 4 points
3. Ozosana, Juan Carlos Pérez (CN Combarro), 6 points
ORC 4
1. Travesío, Álvaro Martínez (RCN Sanxenxo), 2 points
2. Regulus II, Francisco Javier Pavon (CNR Marín), 4 points
3. Regulus IV, Hugo Ozalla (CNR Marín), 6 points
6 Classic Meters
1. ESP – Bribón, El Rey Don Juan Carlos (RCN Sanxenxo), 2 points
2. FIN – Astree III (Nyländska Jk.), 4 points
3. FRA – Fun, Louis Heckly (YC de France), 8 points
6 Meters Open
1. ESP – Stella, Violeta Álvarez (RCNS), 3 points
2. SUI – Duyclop, Francois Brenac (club), 6 points
3. SUI – Momo, Dieter Schoen (SC St. Moritz), 9 points
