Back on the waters where they won the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit title ( read previous story here ), Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew of Quantum Racing gave themselves the best possible tonic after winning the first two races of the Portugal Trophy regatta yesterday, then fought back to a well earned fourth place in the third contest to lead the event by three clear points.

It was a testing day for the 10 TP52 crews off Portimao as the light sea breeze built for the first race before it gave way to the NW’ly gradient wind. Across the day it proved a comprehensive test – from the finesse and tactical racing of the light breeze to bursts of downwind planning.

In the third race (see below) the reigning champions proved to themselves they have the tools, skills and most all perhaps the confidence to win regattas. Their opening race win was their first gun since Marseille in June, and their 1,1,4 for the day leaves them three points clear of 2007 champion owner-helm Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) and his team on Artemis.

Skipper Terry Hutchinson commented: “It was all in all a good day, and the first two races we got off the line in the position we wanted to. Our goal this week is to start in a way that allows Morgan and Mark to execute our game plan, and we did that. In the last race we didn’t start that well but Morgan and Mark, and really everybody on the boat, did a brilliant job in getting us back into the fleet.”

Audi MedCup Circuit 2009
Portugal Trophy

Day 1:

1. Quantum Racing (USA), 1 1 4= 6 points

2. Artemis (SWE), 3 4 2= 9 points

3. Bigamist (POR), 5 5 1= 11 points 

4. Bribón (ESP), 6 2 3= 11 points

5. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 2 3 6= 11 points

For more information, visit www.mecup.org .