May 17, 2008
by Mean Machine Sailing Team
17 May |
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Peter de Ridder’s team has won the first of the AUDI MedCup Circuit events, with Bribon taking the second step on the podium and Quantum as third, after a heart-stopping day of racing
It’s been a great birthday present for both Tom Dodson and Peter de Ridder
On de Ridder’s birthday last year the team smashed the North Sea Race record for the Holland-UK leg and this year the Dutchman takes home another much-valued gift… the City of Alicante Trophy and the lead in the 2008 AUDI MedCup Circuit
The faces of Peter de Ridder and his team as they docked at the pontoon in Alicante said it all. After a heart-stopping day of racing with Bribon winning the last race, Peter de Ridder’s team have written another page in Mean Machine history and in the history of the 2008 AUDI MedCup.
Peter de Ridder and the Mean Machine crew, well known for the pink flames flying on their spinnaker have been crowned winners of the Alicante Trophy, just one point ahead of second place Bribon and five away from Quantum with Terry Hutchinson.
As well as becoming the first leaders in the AUDI MedCup, Mean Machine has taken the Alicante Trophy crown and equalled her record from last year with five consecutive wins.
The race that opened the final day of the Alicante Trophy was somewhat of a torture for the Mean Machines. Despite a strong start by the team with Ray Davies, Tom Dodson and Kevin Hall at the “afterguard”, a sudden wind-shift meant Mean Machine was pushed out of the leader pack lead by José Cusí’s Bribon with HM King Juan Carlos of Spain onboard. Italy’s TP 52 AUDI took second place, Germany’s Platoon third place, whilst de Ridder’s team finished eighth. This didn’t affect the Mean Machine position at the top of the scoreboard, however the margin was reduced to just a single point with second place Bribon and 5 points distance from Quantum.
Peter de Ridder’s crew knew they had to be on guard for the final race. The TP 52 fleet is famous for nail-biting close racing and ever-shifting positions on the scoreboard, however, Mean Machine never took her eyes off the prize in Alicante.
CITY OF ALICANTE TROPHY
Position, Name, Designer, Skipper, R1,R2,R3,…Total
1 Mean Machine, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Peter de Ridder). 7+16+5+1+1+1+1+1+8= 41
2 Bribon , Judel/Vrolijk 2007 (Jose Cusi/S.M D. Juan Carlos). 3+3+1+4+4+12+9+5+1 =42
3 Quantum Racing, Botin & Carkeek 2008, (Terry Hutchinson) 4+5+9+3+2+4+6+6+7=46
4 TAU cerámica, Judel/Vrolijk 2007, (Pichu Torcida). 1+1+6+9+9+3+5+9+12 =55
5 Platoon, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (J. Schumman) 5+9+2+5+14+8+8+4+3=58
6 Artemis, Reichel/pugh 2008T(orbjorn Tornqvist) 12+11+4+10+7+2+2+2+10=60
AUDI MEDCUP CIRCUIT
Position, Name, Designer, Skipper, R1,R2,R3,…Total
1 Mean Machine, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Peter de Ridder). 7+16+5+1+1+1+1+1+8= 41
2 Bribon , Judel/Vrolijk 2007 (Jose Cusi/S.M D. Juan Carlos). 3+3+1+4+4+12+9+5+1 =42
3 Quantum Racing, Botin & Carkeek 2008, (Terry Hutchinson) 4+5+9+3+2+4+6+6+7=46
4 TAU cerámica, Judel/Vrolijk 2007, (Pichu Torcida). 1+1+6+9+9+3+5+9+12 =55
5 Platoon, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (J. Schumman) 5+9+2+5+14+8+8+4+3=58
6 Artemis, Reichel/pugh 2008T(orbjorn Tornqvist) 12+11+4+10+7+2+2+2+10=60
