The first race of the Copa del Rey for IMS yachts took place yesterday in Palma de Mallorca. A total of 74 boats (divided into two divisions, IMS 500 and IMS 600) from 12 countries lined up for the start and completed a 12.6 nm windward/leeward course in 10-12kts of wind.

In the IMS 500 division (bigger boats), the Spanish boat dominated the top two places with Caixa Galicia, Vicente Tirado’s GS 56 helmed by Roberto Bermudez in first place and Laureano Wizner’s Banco Espirito Santo (JV 52) helmed by Josè Luis Doreste with Jochen Schuemann as tactician in second. The Italian boat Spangaro X-Sport took third.

The Italians stole the show in the IMS 600 division (smaller boats) with first and second places. Vasco Vascotto’s Italtel and Lorenzo Bressani’s Wind, both at the helm of a GS 42s, virtually crossed the line together. Third was Jordi Calafat’s Zurich, from Spain.

Orlanda-Olympus, Alessandro Pirera’s Farr 53, skippered by Tommaso Chieffi with Roy Heiner doing tactics finished eighth. Alessio Razeto (team manager) commented: “We are satisfied with this result. The race was decided at the start, when we were a bit covered by a couple of opponents and then we couldn’t attack. Nevertheless out rating is better than at the last regatta, the Breitling Cup, and here we can improve our performance.”