July 3, 2008
by Mean Machine Sailing Team
3 Jul |
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Mean Machine shows what she’s made of – a strong start in Cagliari for Peter de Ridder’s team boosts confidence. Mean Machine stands second, just 2 points away from Quantum, and Bribon in third
The AUDI MedCup 2008 scoreboard heats up as temperatures soar in Sardinia and the fleet takes on the coastal race. The bets are still open for the MedCup Circuit 2008 as Mean Machine moves up to fourth overall
A thrilling start to this Sardinian adventure… Peter de Ridder, Ray Davies and crew have set the Gulf of Cagliari alight with pink flames in a display of skill and confidence. The Mean Machines are back on form in the ‘city of rock’. Three days into the regatta, the team are lying in 2nd place just 2 points behind USA’s Quantum after leading for the first two days of the competition. A lack of breeze for Day 3’s coastal race set the team one step back, but with two days of windward -leeward racing to go, the scoreboard is by no means set in stone.
Cagliari is famous for its narrow streets filled with the aroma of rich Italian coffee, glamorous locals and, for sailors; a healthy dose of breeze to play with. Sardinia’s capital didn’t disappoint on Day 1 of the race, with 18-20 knots blowing in the Gulf of Cagliari. The three scheduled races took place and onlookers were provided with a thrilling display of TP52 majesty. The 13 boats taking part in this event were fighting tooth and nail for positions in the sizzling Mediterranean mid-afternoon heat.
The day belonged to Peter de Ridder’s ‘comeback kids’ as MON-52 won the first race with ease, took a fourth place in the second behind Quantum in first, Audi second and Bribon third place. The Mean Machine crew rounded off the day with their second bullet ahead of Rusal-Synergy and Argentinean team Matador. Smiles were the order of the day as the team finished up at the office.
Ray Davies, Mean Machine Tactician on Day 1: “It really has been a ‘good day at the office’. The boat is sailing extremely well and the races went perfectly for us. I think that’s good for the team and for Peter, and we’ve got our confidence back since Marseille. We’re back!”
We know you’ve heard it before… but consistency really is the name of the game in the ranks of the mighty TP52 fleet. A solid and steady performance up in the top spots means results, which hopefully equals a step on the podium. With a double MedCup Circuit win in 2006 (in the Corinthian and Overall categories) and other MedCup trophies, such as the recent Alicante Trophy under their belts, Peter de Ridder’s team know this well. Day 2 saw the boat with pink flames flying from her spi post two strong finishes to hold onto the lead in the Region of Sardinia Trophy. With Ray Davies on tactics and Kevin Hall navigating, the Mean Machines delivered some strong starts which translated into solid results. Memories of Marseille were distant as Mean Machine was back to her old self. This is the true Mean Machine form. This is what Mean Machine is made of.
Peter de Ridder, Mean Machine Owner/ Skipper on Day 2: “In Alicante we started the circuit really well with our famous five straight wins. But in Marseille the collision with Matador really affected us. I lost all confidence in myself and just didn’t feel confident sailing. It was my first collision with another boat in 20 years that I have been sailing and I found it hard to concentrate, it has been tough. We have spoken about it a lot in the team and I think we have overcome it. Having self-confidence is absolutely essential to be ahead in the Audi MedCup and to give 100%. After yesterday’s and today’s races I really feel it is clear that I have got that self-confidence back”
The coastal race has turned the scoreboard into what looks at the moment like a two horse race for the top spot, although with four races to go, nothing’s decided. Quantum delivered a great performance yesterday and today managed to just overtake Mean Machine for the top spot in the rankings of the Region of Sardinia Trophy. With just two points between the leaders and José Cusí’s Bribon 10 points behind Mean Machine, tomorrow’s racing is set to be heart stopping. In today’s double scoring coastal race positions one two and three were mirrored in both legs with Mutua Madrileña, Bribon and Caixa Galicia taking the top spots. Peter de Ridder’s crew managed two 6th places, a steady position in the 13-strong fleet that sees them drop to just two points away from the lead.
Tactical options were virtually zero as the breeze stuck at around 7-8 knots, only picking up to around 11 knots at one point later in the day. It certainly wasn’t the kind of breeze that Mean Machine likes to get to grips with. It was a tough job for the crew and bowman Stu Bettany, trimmers James Dagg, Jon Gundersen, Richard Meancham and Tony Rae trimming the mainsail did a fantastic job onboard MON-52.
Peter de Ridder, Mean Machine Owner/ Skipper on Day 3: “Our aim is to finish in the five top spots in what’s left of the Circuit, to have a chance at winning. The MedCup Circuit is still not decided and this year there are a lot of similar boats and lots of them at the top, with a good chance at winning”.
The forecast for tomorrow says the breeze in the Gulf of Cagliari should pick up to 15-18 knots. The windward – leeward racing begins at 13:00.
AUDI REGION OF SARDINIA TROPHY
Position, Name, Designer, skipper, R1,R1,R3… Total
1 Quantum Racing, Botin & Carkeek 2008, (Terry Hutchinson) 3+1+6+1+1+12+5+4=21
2 Mean Machine, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Peter de Ridder) 1+4+1+2+3+6+6=23
3 Bribón, Judel/Vrolijk 2007 (Jose Cusi/S.M D. Juan Carlos). 4+ 2+5+7+11+2+2=33
4 Mutua Madrileña, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Vasco Vascotto) 2+11+7 +8+4 +1+1=34
5 Artemis, Reichel/pugh 2008 (Torbjorn Tornqvist) 9+5+4+5+7+4+5=39
6 Desafío, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Paul Cayard) 6+7+11+3+6+7+7=47
AUDI MEDCUP CIRCUIT
Position, Name, Designer, Skipper, R1,R2,R3,…Total
1 Quantum, Racing, Botin & Carkeek 2008, (Terry Hutchinson 46+ 46+21=113
2 Bribon, Judel/Vrolijk 2007 (Jose Cusi/S.M D. Juan Carlos). 42 + 38.2+33=113.2
3 Artemis, Reichel/pugh 2008 (Torbjorn Tornqvist) 60+32+39=131
4 Mean Machine, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Peter de Ridder) 41+78+23= 142
5 Platoon, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (J. Schumman) 58+41+55=154
6 Matador, Judel/Vrolijk 2008 (Guillermo Parada) 67+50+52=169
