Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre - Final day and winners decided

10:18 PM Sat 8 Aug 2009 GMT

'Alfa Romeo - Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre' Nico Martinez &copy Click Here to view large photo

Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. Bella Mente tried but Alfa Romeo was the fastest boat of the Mini Maxi fleet.

Neville Crichton's white and majestic 70 footer has confirmed, in case anyone doubted it, that it is the fastest one of the Mini Maxi fleet registered at the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. In eight to 14 knots of wind with a direction of 190, Alfa Romeo crossed the finish line with two minutes advantage over American Bella Mente, who was second, followed by Allegre in third place.

Bella Mente's revenge came in the second race, where Alfa Romeo crossed first but couldn't gain the time she needed to give in compensation, and was second after Hap Fauth's Mini Maxi. Third place for Fernando Campos and Kiko S?nchez Luna's CAM in today's second race - and the Copa's last - ahead Mini Maxis' Allegre, Container and Jethou, which were fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. Bella Mente finished the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre in second place, and Container third.

The TP52 class provided no surprises, as Realstone Matador gave the rest of the fleet no chances. Alberto Roemmer's Judel and Vrolijk's design managed to force Mutua Madrile?a out of the race area. That favored Valars, Synergy and Brib?n, and Jose Cus?'s TP52 could have won her first race at this 28 Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, but Pichugin's Synergy passed her in the last downwind leg, Roemmers was third and Vascotto fourth. This is the Argentineans' second victory in three years, after their win in 2007 on board Siemens. The last race was won by Synergy, followed by Valars and Brib?n. Realstone Matador and Mutua Madrile?a were fourth and fifth. Spanish Brib?n finished the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre in third position, ahead of Russians Synergy and Valars.

Realstone Matador - Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre - Nico Martinez &copy Click Here to view large photo

The X-41 class delivered some of the most exciting moments, and today was no exception. In the first race, Karhu took the lead right after the start, and comfortably sailed upwind at the head of the group, until Lexus rounded the top mark inside coming from port. The whole fleet protested port/starboard incident. Lexus was first, and Karhu and Turismo Madrid tussled for the second place, which was won by the Spaniards followed by Van der Ploeg. The race committee penalised Lexus, and that lifted Karhu up to the first position, but there were still some surprises left. In the second race Turismo Madrid was over the line forced by Lexus. Karhu and Lexus sailed their own match race in which Galatea got involved too. In the second upwind leg Turismo Madrid kept on climbing positions and went from third to first. German Galatea managed to pass Karhu with the help of Lexus, so winning the race. But the penalisation on the Estonian team put Turismo Madrid back in the first position, two years after winning in the IMS 670 class. Nevertheless there are three pending protests which weren't be resolved today. ** (Further report below)

After a third and a second place today, Dutch No Limits was winner in the Swan 45 class. RW Bol's boat, with Cameron Dunn calling tactics, has proved to be the most consistent Swan 45 at this Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. Earlybird, which was first in both races, finished the Majorcan regatta in the second position, and Charisma third.

The X-35 monotypes also run two exciting races. Karma is winner of the Copa in this class after finishing in the first and second place. Tixelio's today's poor showing - the Italians could only manage tenth in both races - made her finish third in the overall standings. Just4fun won the day's last race, and was second classified in the Copa. Five boats were given the black flag today.

Garmin was the winner in the RI class, their third consecutive victory at the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, and Antonio Guasch's Vertigo dos won the ORC670 class.

**Protest Update: Karhu is the new winner in the X-41 class of the 28th Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre, after a protest by the Estonian team Lexus against Turismo Madrid for not fulfilling the ORC safety rules, which was accepted by the International Jury.

Olympic champion Jos? Mar?a Van Der Ploeg's boat was disqualified in the last race. The top place goes to Karhu, skippered by Dany Cuevas, member of the Club N?utico de Benalm?dena.

This is the second protest which leads to changes on the leaderboard of this class. Lexus was also disqualified after a protest by Madrid due to a port/starboard incident at the windward mark.