With early morning rain squalls on Sunday January 28 bringing vicious shifting winds across the bay in Palma, the race committee wisely decided to keep the fleet ashore until the weather had settled on the final day of this first regatta in the Clean Marine Winter Series. By early afternoon conditions were down to a more reasonable 18-22 knots and the sun had returned. With time for just one more race “Barlo Plastics'” performance on the two previous days was enough to ensure the big-boat, already selected for this summer’s Barlo Plastics British Admiral’s Cup Team, could not be beaten.

With the event already secured, skipper Adrian Stead dictated a safe and steady course, keeping out of trouble and protecting the boat and equipment from damage in the confused seas left over from the morning’s squalls and previous two days’ strong winds. “We were fifth at the windward mark, got back up to third on the run but fell back one place before the finish,” said Stead, completely unconcerned at scoring his worst result of the regatta.

More significantly, Stead was delighted to have won his first event, against boats of known speed. “It was a good regatta to get back into the swing of things and remember what sailing the IC45s is all about”, he said, adding, “it proves the need to keep working on the boat handling and sail-trim.”

Sailing with the nucleus of the crew who will contest the Admiral’s Cup aboard “Barlo Plastics”, Stead was already looking to improve things before the next event. “We have learned a few things about the boat and we have a few changes to make before the next regatta in three weeks time.”

Results

1st Barlo Plastics, Robert Condon, GBR 9 pts

2nd Babbalaas, David McLean, GBR 16pts

3rd La Casera, Eugenio Jaudenes, ESP 19pts

4th SEB, SWE

5th Faster K-Yote, FRA

6th Bounder, GBR

7th Aïfos, ESP