Close Finish at 2012 Primo Cup, Monaco.

Dmitry holds aloft the Primo Cup Trophy, surrounded by prize winners and friends…

RUS 76 “Strange Little Girl” helmed by Dmitry Samokhin and crewed by Andrey Kiriluyk and one of the biggest Russians in the world.. Aleksey Bushuer! Some how managed to win the last two races here yesterday in Monaco, despite being behind at the first windward mark in both races. Basically the wind was all over the place and although the difficult sea had relented somewhat, it was still very tricky to helm and keep the Dragon’s moving. NED 410 was first to the top mark in race one and after setting the spinnaker on the dog leg, soon gybed and set off on a tight reach (due to a wind shift), to the leeward mark. Hot in pursuit was RUS 76 and RUS 27, both in contention for the overall title. Due to the wind dying completely the PRO was quick to shorten the course at the bottom mark. So as the three Dragons, drifted searching for any small breath of wind that would carry them to victory, it was RUS 76 who gained extra momentum as the leeward boat who crossed the line first. RUS 27 passed NED 410 to windward after NED 410 just stopped in a hole!!!

So going into the last race both RUS 76 and RUS 27 were on equal points, as all crews bobbed up and down waiting patiently on the random waves, with sails just cracking side to side. At around 1.30 the PRO set up a course and started the race in less than 2kts of wind. NED 410 was first to gain an advantage and set off on a long starboard tack whilst the three top Russian boats struggled to get moving. However, when the wind did eventually fill in, it clocked 90 degree’s to the right which meant some boats could reach to the first mark. NED 410 could only painfully watch once again as their port tack took them directly back to the start line! Sometimes it’s just not meant to be……

Taking full advantage of the windshift RUS 35 led the fleet closly followed by RUS 76 and RUS 27.. The two title conteders had a great battle which continued for another full round after the windward mark was moved 90 degree’s to the right allowing for a proper second beat.  In the end it was RUS 76 who eventually took the victory, this gave a very happy owner, Dmitry Samokhin the Primo Cup Title. I ask Dmitry what difference his new tactician Andrey Kiriluyk had made to his team? Dmitry told me ” His pre race planning and general knowledge of the race course is something I have not experienced before. His tactics won us this competition for sure and we all get on well in the boat. I am looking forward to the rest of the season”, he added with a smile…….

So congratulations to the RUS 76 team and well done to RUS 27 Anatoly Loginov for his 2nd place and to RUS 35 Victor Fogelson for their 3rd place.  Now it’s onto Portugal, where next weekend the 4th winter series event in Cascais takes place. Following that around 60 boats will race in Cannes for the first grade 1 event of the year, the Allianz Grand Prix.. at the end of Feb. Will you be there……… ??

Higher, Faster, Longer…………     Stavros.   (NED 410)

p.s. The 29th Primo Cup will take place 1st-3rd Feb 2013.