[Source: AUDI Medcup] Just as they did last year Emirates Team New Zealand clinched their second successive Audi MedCup Circuit win with two racing days of the 2010 season to spare.

After Thursday’s coastal race the supreme Kiwis under skipper-helm Dean Barker had built themselves an unbeatable lead and in the end, after today’s one final blustery race in a Mistral of more than 28 knots off Cagliari, Sardinia the champions rounded out their second victorious season to finish 48.5 points ahead of Quantum Racing (USA) who finish runners-up, as they also did last season..

Alberto Roemmers’ Matador (ARG), the current world champions skippered by Guillermo Parada (ARG), comprehensively won the Region of Sardinia Trophy, the fifth and final regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit season, finishing 12.5 points ahead of Jochen Schuemann’s Franco-German crew on Audi A1 powered by All4ONE.

The Kiwi 2010 champions, become the first team ever in the six year history of the circuit to win back-to-back MedCup Circuit champion titles. They won the top regatta trophy in Cascais, were fourth in Marseille, second in Barcelona, triumphed in Murcia and finished third on countback here in Cagliari.

The world’s best monohull sailing team surfing the waves to overall championship victory. Cagliari, 25 September 2010. Photo copyright Stefano Gattini / AUDI Medcup

Emirates Team New Zealand set themselves on course for overall victory from the outset of the season in breezy Cascais, Portugal in May where they established an initial lead of 20 points, winning three races as well as the key coastal race there.

When last season they streaked to win four in a row of 2009’s five regattas, unmatched consistency has underpinned their victory again this season.

They won ten of this 2010 season’s 44 52 Series races. Last year they won 14 races from 43 starts. Skipper Dean Barker, Emirates Team New Zealand’s skipper -helm highlighted today how much harder this season has been for them to prevail overall.

Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the Quantum Racing (USA) crew finish second overall for the season, just five points ahead of Matador.

When they seized the lead on the second beat of today’s race the world champions seemed to have pulled themselves up to within touching distance of second place on the Circuit.

After winning the 2010 AUDI Medcup, Emirates Team NZ are staring at the unknown. Cagliari, 25 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

With incumbents Quantum Racing five boats behind it might then have gone down to a match race for second, but as they hoisted their kite for the final run it exploded and they were left sitting for minutes while four boats passed them.

They only just managed to get a new spinnaker filling to stay ahead of their green and black hulled adversaries. With a win in the final race of the season Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE finish second at this season’s finale, just as they also did in Portugal in May.

2010 Audi MedCup Circuit – Final results
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 31,5+31+35+35.5+38= 171 points
2. Quantum Racing (USA), 59.5+22,5+44+53.5+40= 219.5
3. Matador (ARG), 60+27+67+45+25.5= 224.5
4. TeamOrigin (GBR), 59.5+31+63+46.5+41,5= 241.5
5. Artemis (SWE), 57+53+33+64+49.5= 256.5
6. Synergy (RUS), 64+35.5+73+68.5+38.5= 279.5
7. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 51.5+29,5+84+78+38= 281
8. Bribón (ESP), 88+41+58+70+45.3= 296,5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 65+43.5+62+85,5+62= 318
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 77,5+44.5+73+69+74.5= 338.5
11. Bigamist 7 (POR), 88+78+70+78.5+102= 416.5

[Source: AUDI Medcup] World champions Matador exorcised last season’s ghost of Sardinia and lifted their four times coastal race jinx today under the Devil’s Saddle when they won the 1.5 points multiplier 30 miles passage to picturesque Poetteo and back.

Matador (ARG) extend their overall lead in the Region of Sardinia Trophy Regatta’s 52 Series to 11 points over second placed Synergy (RUS). And, chasing down the second place overall on the Audi MedCup Circuit which eluded them last year, Matador’s momentum moves them to within six points of Quantum Racing.

Last year Alberto Roemmers’ team lead this coastal race but erred too close to the point at the Devil’s Saddle and ran out of breeze, letting a handful of boats pass them. But today, with Vasco Vascotto and Francesco Bruni combining on tactical choices along with navigator Bruno Zirilli, the Italian trio ensured that Matador did not put a foot wrong and were able to win by a comprehensive 1 minute and 46 seconds.

Follow the leader. Matador win the coastal race and extend their leadership in the regatta. Cagliari, 23 September 2010. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

In a light to moderate sea breeze, which built to 12kts midway through the race, the start was critical, setting the order for the windward mark, where Matador lead.

On the long reach across the Bay of Cagliari towards ‘that’ point, the Capo St Elia to the east of Cagliari, Matador were the only team among the leading group to set and hold on to an A3 reaching kite when their pursuers used jibs. That gave Matador a small boost and allowed them to extend on the run down into the Bay of Angels, to the leeward turning mark off the beach at Poetto.

Ray Davies, tactician on Emirates Team NZ explains want went wrong in the coastal race. Cagliari, 23 September 2010. Video copyright Emirates Team NZ

On the second run back to the same leeward mark Quantum Racing overhauled second placed Jochen Schuemann’s Audi A1 powered by All4One – which had movie actor Jean Reno, star of the Da Vinci Code, Leon, the Big Blue and Mission Impossible -riding at the back as guest. .

The 2008 champions Quantum then held off a spirited attack from Artemis, which has owner Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) back on the helm this week, on the final sprint under reaching gennakers in to the harbour mouth, taking second just ahead of the team which won the coastal race here last yeatr.

With a sold fifth place Synergy hold on to second place on the Region of Sardinia Trophy Regatta standings only 2.5 points ahead of Terry Hutchinson’s crew on Quantum crew, still with two days and four races still scheduled of this event.

Region of Sardinia Trophy – 52 Series – Day 3
1. Matador (ARG), 2+8+2+1+5+1+1,5= 20,5 points
2. Synergy (RUS), 6+5+3+4+1+5+7,5= 31,5
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+3+7+2+6+4+3= 34
4. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 8+2+1+10+2+3+9= 35
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 5+1+5+6+3+11(DNF)+6= 37
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 7+4+4+8+4+2+10,5= 39,5
7. Bribón (ESP), 1+9+8+3+8+3(RDG)+8(RDG)= 40
8. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+10+5+9+8+4,5= 45,5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 4+10+6+9+7+6+12= 54
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 10+7+9+7+10+7+13,5= 63,5

The second race of the day took place under slightly lighter conditions and with a definite bias on the committee boat end of the start line. According to Paul Cayard, the right hand side of the course was very favored upwind due to the Easterly flowing current offshore. The committee did not bias the line to the left so the fleet was bunched up at the committee boat end of the line at the starts. In fact, the start was the key for Team Origin’s great race and the overall lead.

Ben Ainslie helmed the British TP52 yacht to a clean start, with good speed ahead of the fleet. Team Origin was again the first boat to get to the very favored right side and rounded the first weather mark first, ahead of Synergy and Emirates Team New Zealand. A combination of excellent tactics, boat handling and boat speed allowed Team Origin to keep the lead to the finish line. The top three spots would have remained unchanged if it weren’t for a badly executed gybe on Synergy in the last run that put the New Zealanders ahead of the Russians.

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy – Day 1
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20

Start of the second race of the day and it’s a very good one for Team Origin. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bribón find themselves at the wrong side of the committee boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet in the first beat of the second race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy and Emirates Team NZ follow at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum had another mediocre beat, rounding the top mark in eighth place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin extend their lead in the first run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin round the leeward gate in first place, ahead of Synergy. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Probably the day’s funniest incident took place when a furious cargo ship went streaming right in the middle of the course when the fleet was halfway through the second beat. Fortunately, it didn’t affect the race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It ain’t over till it’s over. Emirates Team NZ steal second place from Synergy after a badly executed gybe on the Russian boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower duo Bruni-Vascotto worked magic on Matador in the opening race of the Cartagena Trophy. According to Francesco Bruni, tactician on the Argentinean boat, the key in the first race was to have a clear start and be the first boat to tack to the right and this is exactly what they did.

They were ahead at the top mark, in front of Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin, something that was not easy at all, according to Bruni. Despite the pressure by the New Zealanders and the Brits, the crew on Matador was confident of their tactics until they saw the kiwis gybe first in the first run. Bruni commented they feared Team New Zealand had seen something they couldn’t see but decided to stick on to their plan. Not only did they stay ahead of the fleet, the move cost the New Zealanders two places at the leeward gate.

From that point Matador was able to further stretch their advantage and cross the finish line with a comfortable lead. Without any doubt, the recovery story of the race was on Luna Rossa. The Italians were eighth at the first weather mark but the decision to opt for the left in the first run rewarded them, allowing them to finish second. Team Origin held on to third place, putting the first stone for the overall lead.

Start of the day’s 1st race. Not a brilliant start for Matador but still it gave them the opportunity to be the first boat to tack. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower on Matador opts for the right side in the first beat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first run but the story of the leg was the incredible recovery by Luna Rossa. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa round the leeward gate in second place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Follow the leader… Matador has increased its lead in the last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first race has been an awful experience for Quantum that rounded the second top mark ninth. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin finishes third ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower duo Bruni-Vascotto worked magic on Matador in the opening race of the Cartagena Trophy. According to Francesco Bruni, tactician on the Argentinean boat, the key in the first race was to have a clear start and be the first boat to tack to the right and this is exactly what they did.

They were ahead at the top mark, in front of Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin, something that was not easy at all, according to Bruni. Despite the pressure by the New Zealanders and the Brits, the crew on Matador was confident of their tactics until they saw the kiwis gybe first in the first run. Bruni commented they feared Team New Zealand had seen something they couldn’t see but decided to stick on to their plan. Not only did they stay ahead of the fleet, the move cost the New Zealanders two places at the leeward gate.

From that point Matador was able to further stretch their advantage and cross the finish line with a comfortable lead. Without any doubt, the recovery story of the race was on Luna Rossa. The Italians were eighth at the first weather mark but the decision to opt for the left in the first run rewarded them, allowing them to finish second. Team Origin held on to third place, putting the first stone for the overall lead.

Start of the day’s 1st race. Not a brilliant start for Matador but still it gave them the opportunity to be the first boat to tack. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower on Matador opts for the right side in the first beat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first run but the story of the leg was the incredible recovery by Luna Rossa. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa round the leeward gate in second place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Follow the leader… Matador has increased its lead in the last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first race has been an awful experience for Quantum that rounded the second top mark ninth. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin finishes third ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Highlights from the third day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

Highlights from the third day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 18 June 2010. Video copyright AUDI Medcup

One by one, the TP52 yachts hit the water after spending a few months in the shed in order to comply with the necessary modification in order to compete in this year’s AUDI Medcup, that is to add 150kgs of weight to the keel to compensate for the reduction in crew weight, move to a “square-top” mainsail with twin backstays, increase spinnaker area and adopt bowsprits.

On Friday it was the turn of Argentinean TP52 Matador to be taken for her maiden sail after carrying out the modifications. The team being based in Puerto Portals, the 3-hour shakedown sail took place inside the bay of Palma de Mallorca, and according to our friend and local photographer, Jesus Renedo, all went according to plan.

The next yachts in line to sail in Palma are Bribón, in 1-2 weeks, and then Artemis, a week later.

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo

First test sail for the modified TP52 Matador. Palma de Mallorca, 19 March 2010. Photo copyright Jesus Renedo