30 boats are racing in Palma de Mallorca at the 2nd Puerto Portals Winter Series….
After a well attended briefing all 30 teams took to the water from the beautiful Marina in Puerto Portals surrounded by exclusive Shops, Bars and Restaurants…
With just one boat UFD the fleet got away first time in 6 kts of breeze from around 70 degrees.. GER 1207 helmed by Nicola Friesen opted chose the right side of the course, whilst RUS 27 Anatoly Loginov stayed central and many others went left.
GER 1207 Nicola Friesen was first to tack after the start and sailed out to the right side.
As the fleet came together at the top mark it was indeed GER 1207 who held a slender lead from the chasing pack. With the Best “Star” Crew in the World (Frithjof Kleen) and most certainly one of the best Dragon Sailors in the World (Vincie Hoesch) on board, GER 1207 immediately set their kite. To then gybe at the spreader mark and set the standard for the following fleet.
RUS 27 just pip GER 111 at the end of the first race of the 2nd Puerto Portals Winter Series.
In the end it was GER 111 helmed by Max Dohse who pushed last weeks Armistice Cup (Cannes) Winners RUS 27 Anatoly Loginov all the way to see a really close finish on the second downwind leg.. With Anatoly winning by a lick of paint… it was that close. So Max and his young, vibrant team took 2nd.
GER 111 Max and his team celebrate with a cool Beer after finishing 2nd behind RUS 27
In 3rd place was our IDA Chairman Vasily Senatorov helming his RUS 34 “To Be Continued” and we all wish Vasily the very best as he will soon undergo a hip replacement…On behalf of all Dragon Sailors I would like to thank Vasily for his continued support and enthusiasm throughout the year as he attends the majority of events and puts his heart and soul into the class. I am sure our Chairman will recover soon enough to join us all early next season…
3rd place to our “Chairman” Vasily Senatorov helming RUS 34, in Puerto Portals
With two more days of racing and a good forecast, there should be lots more fun at this well organised winter series… My final thanks to Alvaro and Pepe’ for making sure everything runs smoothly for this well supported winter event.
Alvaro and his team enjoy typical Majorcan food aboard a spectator boat in Palma.
Higher, Faster, Longer……….. Stavros.