After four intense days of racing in Palma de Mallorca at the 43rd Copa del Rey – ORC European Championship, Italia Yachts 11.98 Guardamago 3 has regained the top spot in the ORC B standings, just one day before the final showdown.
“Sharp and focused , that’s how we tackled today’s races aboard Guardamago 3,” said Daniele De Tullio, mainsail trimmer and afterguard. “Climbing back up the leaderboard wasn’t easy. We had to offset the 21st place and we put both mind and heart into managing three very challenging inshore races. The breeze never fully stabilized, constantly shifting left and right. We opted for consistency and avoided unnecessary risks, securing three second-place finishes.”
“It was a particularly demanding day for our owner, Massimo R. Piparo, who remained at the helm for all three of today’s complex races.”
With seven races completed , six windward/leeward courses and one 50-mile coastal offshore, the event has tested the fleet of 130 teams with a wide range of weather conditions, from light airs to stronger breeze, and from bright sunshine to overcast skies, towering clouds, and occasional rain.
As the regatta heads into its final day on Saturday, August 2nd, the standings are extremely tight: Guardamago 3 leads by just one point over Tecnonicol, with Sugar 3 (IY 11.98 owned by Ott Kikkas) close behind in third.
In ORC C, Sarchiapone has slipped to fourth, but still has a shot at the podium in the final races.
