News Around the World
Remember when spinnakers were different colours… In a fleet as inch-close as the Super Series TP52s no one is going out on a limb to risk a few grammes of weight or a loss in shape stability through the dying process. Bit of a shame, but would you do differently?
that our sailors can really sail and would be a valuable component on any yacht – so let’s see what opportunities arise during the week. We’ll see how it goes but it’s going to be a lot of fun.’ Isn’t that what Cowes Week should still be about? Magnus Wheatley
SPAIN Clean sweep in Baiona Baiona, at the mouth of Vigo’s estuary, is the best sailing location I know. A backdrop of the hilly, forested coastline and the Cies Islands is beyond compare, without forgetting the Monte Real Club Yates de Baiona facilities in the castle grounds and of course the kindness of its people and also Galician food. Despite being in Atlantic waters Baiona’s waves are generally
modest, unless a northwesterly storm blows in. It also offers an interesting range of winds with open tactical options. A good example was several upwind sections that seemed to favour the left side for more than the first half distance of the leg, after which the right paid better. During the week of the 52 Super Series the excellence of regatta PRO María Torrijo once again shone through, managing to save some races in a capricious, very light wind contrary to the local sailors’ predictions. (Well, not all, because the legendary Javier de la Gándara made predictions that were close to perfection, advising Platoon as their local expert). One of Torrijo’s virtues is the way she works, always answering questions with humility and listening to the sailors with respect. The fleet arrived in Galicia after completing only four races in
Saint-Tropez, and with some new additions to the fleet. Two boats did not travel to Baiona but in their place Phoenix and Teasing Machine joined the fleet to maintain an 11-boat line-up. While no one was able to win two races in Saint-Tropez, in Baiona the 10 bullets were divided among six boats. Platoon was the only
24 SEAHORSE
one to win three races, but many of their races featured a roller- coaster of performance as they slid up and down the fleet. Fortunately they usually finished on an ‘up’ to complete the regatta in second place behind an uncatchable American Magic, who had won even before sailing the final race. The Americans delivered a lesson in consistency and resilience,
patiently climbing out from the back of the fleet in at least two of the races. The rearguard duo of Terry Hutchinson and Víctor Díaz de León performed together perfectly, as did the tandem of Harry Melges at the helm and Lucas Calabrese trimming the mainsail. Platoonwas missing usual strategist Jordi Calafat, as the owner
was absent, with Markus Wieser replacing him; with the arrival of Weiser, Platoon exceeded the number of pros allowed in the Corinthian category and so Calafat did not travel to Baiona.
Straight from the heart – Vasco Vascotto The restless Italian tactician from Platoon is one of the most candid people on this circuit, a nice contrast with those who avoid you or simply offer up empty words. We spoke on the third day, with six races completed and poor results fromPlatoon’s opening four races fresh in his mind. Seahorse: Bad start to 2025, right? Vasco Vascotto: Yes. We’re not at all happy with the boat’s performance. We have some ideas, but no certainties. We changed the keel last winter but we still haven’t found the answer. I don’t think the problem is the keel, but rather a combination of things. We were certainly never a rocket in light winds. Last year we
debuted the boat, started the season poorly, changed things and recovered a lot of points, finishing just one point behind the winner, Gladiator. This year we’re struggling again. The other boats have improved, but we don’t know if we’ve dropped a step or moved up one while the others have moved up two. This is the big question.
NICO MARTINEZ
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