Spring Cup begins in Cascais.

Of the 23 boats registered for this “warm up” event which precedes the Grade 1 Juan Carlos Trophy here in Cascais 19 turned up on the start line for the first race yesterday. With the wind filling in from the west at around 8kts, USA310 Ted Saywer made an excellent start from the middle of the line and held onto his starboard tack. Most of the fleet tacked right to head towards the normally favoured shoreline, but on this ocassion Ted’s team were correct and held the lead at the top mark coming in from the left…. On the downwind leg the breeze shifted to the right as a thunderstorm approached. Although USA 310 held onto her lead when Ted rounded the leeward mark the heavans opened up and the downpour of rain eventually killed the wind, so the race was abandoned.

However, after the much needed rain (for Portugal), had finished the race was restarted and this time it was HUN 57 helmed by Ferenc Kis-Szolgyemi who took the lead and evetually won the race. Behind him was RUS 27 with Tommy Muller at the helm, as stand in for Anatoly Loginov who will be here for the main event. In 3rd place was RUS 34 with Vasily Senatorov in the driving seat. Unfortunately due to the delay of the first cancelled race there was no time for a second race yesterday, so competitors returned to the Club Naval de Cascais to join in with the Prize Giving party of the RC 44’s who were congratulating Russel Coutts on yet another victory in his superb One Design Class….

Today and tomorrow will see 6 more races sailed (hopefully), before 20 more Dragons join the fleet for the Juan Carlos Regatta which begins on Weds. With many more top sailors on their way to make this Grade 1 Championship an event not to be missed……

Higher, Faster, Longer…..     Stavros.  (GBR767).