A total of eight boats started this Tuesday on the first day of the Costa Cálida Grand Prix of the ETF26 flying catamaran circuit. The tests began with a thermal wind of 10 knots intensity that led to very technical tests, requiring the crews to refine their strategy to stay at the head of the regatta. Throughout the day the wind increased to 15 knots in intensity, which favored the spectacular nature of the regattas. The classification after the first five races is led by Entreprises Du Morbihan with 4 races won out of the five carried out, followed by Team Rockwool Racing 1 and Orient Express L'Oreal Racing Team.
For Wednesday's day, average winds of intensity between 12 and 17 knots are expected, which will require greater efforts from the crews, ensuring strong competitiveness and emotions in the development of the tests.
The crews are made up of renowned international sailors. The legendary navigator Franck Cammas participates in the French ship of the Entreprises Du Morbihan; The skipper of the Danish SailGP team, Nicolas Sehested, participates with the Danish Team Rockwool Racing 1; With the Live Ocean it is done by Olivia Mackay, from the Emirates Team New Zealand of the America's Cup and the French Orient Express boat is made up of a female crew with Manon Audinet as skipper.
At the end of this first day, the eight ETF26 crews received a welcome from local and regional authorities. During the event they discussed their latest impressions after the first day of competition and the crew member's bag was presented with gifts from regional companies collaborating with the event.
The equipment is installed in the CAR of the Region of Murcia, a facility of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Murcia, located in the municipality of Los Alcázares. The sailors began training and fine-tuning the boats a week ago before the competition. The president of the class, Mark Rijkse, and skipper of Toroa Racing Team highlighted “the quality of the facilities for the crews, as well as the conditions of the Mar Menor for sailing with foil boats.”
For his part, the General Director of Sports, Francisco Sánchez, pointed out that “this test allows us to show the world the enormous potential that the Region of Murcia has with the Mar Menor for holding very high-level competitions.” He also highlighted that “Mar Menor is a regatta course that is open 365 days a year and invited crews and teams to come and train in the winter months.”
The Costa Cálida Grand Prix tests will be held until April 19. The next stop is in Hyeres in the south of France, to continue in Malcesine (Italy), Quiberon (France) to close the annual calendar again in the Mar Menor from November 20 to 23.
The competition promises to be a true spectacle due to the speeds reached by the ETF26. These boats, known for flying above the water, require a lot of skill and experience and promise to provide an exciting display of navigation in the waters of the Mar Menor. The tests are held at the CAR Region of Murcia and attendees will be able to enjoy the spectacle of watching the flying catamarans sail.
The regatta has the institutional collaboration of the Regional Government, the Los Alcázares City Council, the CAR Region of Murcia and the collaboration of Estrella de Levante, Diego Zamora, Interaphotek and La Colegiala. It is organized by the Sailing Federation of the Region of Murcia and the company Punto Sur Nautical Activities.
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