| PALMA DE MALLORCA-(31-7-2003) A clear prognosis about the winners is not known yet after these four races. Tough Race in IMS 500 with almost only 2 potential winners, Caixa Galicia and Subaru x Sports while in IMS 600, Italtel remains leader; Husa Hoteles reached the second place in the general, relegating Zurich to third place; followed by Wind fourth, and Forum Filatélico in fifth position of the classification all of them in a mere 8 points.
The main problem of the offshore race was the absence of wind, causing a complicated sailing for the fleet. After passing Punta Salina’s beacon, the fleet steered to the arrival with land wind between 1 and 3 knots. Under those conditions, the longer boats could mark differences regarding the rest of the fleet.
In IMS 500, Caixa Galicia passed the arrival line at 01.18 hours, winning with a margin of more than 8 minutes before Subaru X-Sport, in second place, which lead by more than 16 minutes the Bribón. Followed Olympus, Banco Espírito Santo and CAM in balanced time.
This classification shows a more contending first place in the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava, as the first classified, Subaru X-Sport has only one point of advantage before Caixa Galicia.
DIFFERENCES BECOME TIGHTER FOR THE LEADING BOATS
The IMS 600 suffered more last night the wind’s absence. Many boats gathered in the arrival proximities unable to advance. Finally, at 05.26 hours and with only 2 wind knots, entered the first boat of the 600 group, the Sandokán, a Rodman 42 which lead its twin boat, Husa Hoteles, which remained second. Forum Filatélico reached third, followed by Zurich. The Italians boats, Wind and Italtel remained fifth and sixth respectively.
Today, the competition will enjoy a rest day to start again on Friday. This time will be precious to review the boats and study the best tactics to reach the triumph in this 22nd edition of the Copa del Rey-Agua Brava.
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