World champions Matador exorcised last season’s ghost of Sardinia yesterday (23 September) under the Devil’s Saddle when they won the 1.5 points multiplier 30 mile passage to Poetteo and back.

Matador (ARG) extend their overall lead in the Region of Sardinia Trophy Regatta’s 52 Series to 11 points over second placed Synergy (RUS). 
And, chasing down the second place overall on the Audi MedCup Circuit, Matador’s momentum moves them to within six points of Quantum Racing.

Last year Alberto Roemmers’ team lead this coastal race but erred too close to the point at the Devil’s Saddle and ran out of breeze, letting a handful of boats pass them. But today, with Vasco Vascotto and Francesco Bruni combining on tactical choices along with navigator Bruno Zirilli, the Italian trio ensured that Matador did not put a foot wrong and were able to win by a comprehensive 1 minute and 46 seconds.

In a light to moderate sea breeze, which built to 12kts midway through the race, the start was critical, setting the order for the windward mark, where Matador lead. On the long reach across the Bay of Cagliari towards ‘that’ point, the Capo St Elia to the east of Cagliari, Matador were the only team among the leading group to set and hold on to an A3 reaching kite when their pursuers used jibs.

That gave Matador a small boost and allowed them to extend on the run down into the Bay of Angels, to the leeward turning mark off the beach at Poetto.

On the second run back to the same leeward mark Quantum Racing overhauled second placed Jochen Schuemann’s Audi A1 powered by All4One – which had movie actor Jean Reno (star of the Da Vinci Code, Leon, the Big Blue and Mission Impossible) riding at the back as a guest.

2008 champions Quantum then held off a spirited attack from Artemis, which has owner Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) back on the helm this week, on the final sprint under reaching gennakers in to the harbour mouth, taking second just ahead of the team which won the coastal race here last year.



With a sold fifth place Synergy hold on to second place on the Region of Sardinia Trophy Regatta standings only 2.5 points ahead of Terry Hutchinson’s crew on Quantum crew, still with two days and four races still scheduled of this event.


Results, Day 3:

1. Matador (ARG), 2+8+2+1+5+1+1,5= 20,5 points
2. Synergy (RUS), 6+5+3+4+1+5+7,5= 31,5
3. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+3+7+2+6+4+3= 34
4. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 8+2+1+10+2+3+9= 35
5. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 5+1+5+6+3+11(DNF)+6= 37
6. TeamOrigin (GBR), 7+4+4+8+4+2+10,5= 39,5
7. Bribón (ESP), 1+9+8+3+8+3(RDG)+8(RDG)= 40
8. Artemis (SWE), 3+6+10+5+9+8+4,5= 45,5
9. Cristabella (GBR), 4+10+6+9+7+6+12= 54
10. Luna Rossa (ITA), 10+7+9+7+10+7+13,5= 63,5

For more, visit medcup.org.