The third regatta of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, the Trofeo S.A.R. Princess Sofia MAPFRE started today in Palma with gruelling conditions, sun and clear blue sky.
On thousand sailors took to the start and filled the bay of Palma with sails. And the breeze lovers made the most of the day with many teams winning both of their races.
Ai Kondo and
Wakako Tabata (JPN) took a convincing lead in the 470 women's fleet with two victories.
Gil Cohen and Bouskila Vered (ISR) and the British team of
Penny Clark and
Katrina Hughes placed second and third overall.
"It is good to have a bit of breeze," said Cohen.
"It was good fun. We are having a good start in the regatta so let's see how we go."
Dorian Van Rijsselberge (NED) took a clean sweep in the men's RS:X fleet with two bullets, leaving his closest rivals, 2009 World Champion
Nick Dempsey (GBR) and German
Toni Wilhelm, in second and third with a six point margin.
The Dutchman continues his good form after claiming victory at the Rolex Miami OCR.
Giles Scott (GBR) also enjoyed the strong wind in Palma and won both races in his Finn group. In the other group, race wins went to Finnish sailor
Tapio Nirkko and
Pieter-Jan Postma (NED). They are second and third behind Scott.
Paul Snow-Hansen and
Jason Saunders (NZL) won both of their races in the men's 470. The youngsters won
Sail Auckland in February and continue their fine form. Trailing them are British sailors
Nick Rogers and
Chris Grube and
Nic Asher and
Elliot Willis.
The Laser class is split into three groups in Palma but it is
Tom Slingsby (AUS) who has taken an early lead by claiming double bullets. In the Laser Radial
Evi Van Acker (BEL) claimed the day but she only leads
Annalise Murphy (IRL) by one point after the Irish sailor finished 2-1 in the other Laser Radial fleet.
After a postponement, the Star fleet completed the two scheduled races in challenging conditions. Current World Champions
Iain Percy and
Andrew Simpson made a successful comeback to competition after a long break with two bullets claimed in a fleet packed full of medallists and world champions.
Last on the water today was the 49ers who waited for the wind to decrease before heading to sea. Dylan Fletcher and
Alain Sign (GBR) took the honours with two bullets in the blue group. In the yellow group Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) placed 2-1 to trail the Brits by one point.
Alessandra Sensini (ITA) has started strong in the women's RS:X finishing first and second in the opening races to lead the fleet. She said,
"I have a lot at stake here and I will give my maximum." Second overall is Lee el Korsiz (ISR) followed by Chan Wai Kei (HKG) in third.
In the women's match racing, 24 teams are divided into three groups. So far
Claire Leroy (FRA),
Silja Lehtinen (FIN),
Nicky Souter (AUS),
Renee Groeneveld (NED),
Sally Barkow (USA),
Silke Hahlbrock (GER),
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) and
Anne-Claire Le berre (FRA) are all undefeated.
Stage one will continue tomorrow with the top two teams from each group moving into the Gold Group with the next two moving into the Repechage Group.
Thierry Schmitter (NED) enjoyed the strong winds to win both races in the 2.4mR to lead German Heiko Kroger and
Megan Pascoe (GBR).
Racing will continue tomorrow at 10:00 local time for the women's match racing and 11:00 local time for all the other fleets.
Images from the opening day can be found here.
Click here for video highlights.