Gaining a two boat-lengths advantage on the final gybe of the last run of the final race was enough to clinch the Region of Murcia Trophy for Jose Cusi’s Bribon, winners of the fifth regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit.

It was a fitting climax to a great event. Cartagena delivered a whole new set of challenges to the TP52 fleet.

After four days of moderately fresh breezes, the final two races were contested in a light sea-breeze which carried some big changes in direction to frustrate and challenge crews, particularly in the first windward-leeward contest.

Going in to the final race Desafio headed the fleet by one point from Bribon and Quantum Racing, with Matador two points off the lead, and in the unstable late afternoon breeze, running close to the 1600 time limit, patience and coolness under pressure were well tested.

Matador and Bribon sailed a more open first beat, with Ross MacDonald (CAN) calling the top end of the first leg perfectly coming in from the right in the changeable breeze, the Spanish boat lead at the first windward mark, with Matador second after sailing the left. Desafio led Quantum round in 10th and 11th.

While Bribon looked to have gained the winning edge Matador came back on the second beat, sailing faster inside their rivals in a strand of stronger wind, and set off down the final run with a tiny lead. If they could hold off Bribon they would win the regatta.

The two were neck and neck for most of the leg until Bribon was able to stay higher into slightly better breeze and Matador gybed lower. Only on the final gybe was it clear that the winning gun and the overall trophy would go to Bribon – usually skippered by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos.

Bribon won the regatta by two points and regain second place in the overall Audi MedCup Circuit 2008, behind Quantum Racing (USA) who head for the final regatta in Portimao having extended their overall lead from 30 points to 41.2 points.

Region of Murcia Trophy Regatta:
1. Bribon, ESP, 47 points

2. Matador, ARG, 49
3. El Desafio, ESP, 51

4. Quantum Racing, USA, 54

5. Mutua Madrilena, ESP, 57

6. Platoon powered by T. Germany, GER, 68

7. Caixa Galicia, ESP, 76

8. Artemis, SWE, 80

9. Audi Q8, ITA, 94

10. ONO, ESP, 100