Team Aqua on a charge

But John Bassadone's Peninsula still looking strong at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup

The penultimate day of racing at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup didn’t see a change at the top of the overall leaderboard, but Team Aqua proved the most consistent performer of the day, Chris Bake's team moving up from fourth to second, putting them in touch with overall leaders, Peninsula Petroleum. Four races produced four different winners, in what was another stunning day of Caribbean racing for the RC44 fleet.

Racing got underway to the south of Sir Richard Branson's Neckar Island in 14 knots. Katusha emerged as the leader at the windward mark, an early gybe by Synergy down the first run paid, giving Valentin Zavadnikov’s Russian team the lead. A double tack by Synergy to make the top mark put Katusha back at the top, only for Synergy’s tactician Ed Baird to again call for the early gybe - a move that gave Synergy the first win of the day.

Katusha’s new helmsman Vladimir Sokolov may be new to sailing, but has proved to be a quick learner in the RC44 fleet, finishing the day with a consistent 2,5,5,6 scoreline. Tactician Andy Horton is pleased with the team’s progress this week: “Vladimir is doing a great job; he drives race cars and plays tennis, so he’s a good sportsman. As we come into corners we have little tricks like, Iain (Jensen) our trimmer will point where to go whilst I count down, but it’s been pretty cool because you have to rethink all of the things that we take for granted as sailors.”

Team Nika led the fleet round the first lap of the second race, only to trawl her spinnaker after a messy drop at the leeward gate. Overall leader, Peninsula Petroleum seized the initiative and took control of the race to win with Artemis Racing finishing second, and Team Aqua starting their charge up the leaderboard in third. As the wind started to drop, Team Aqua took the gun in the third race, before Team Nika’s day ended on a high, winning the final race.

Team Aqua’s 5,3,1,3 scoreline elevated her up to second overall, now 11 points beihnd Peninsula Petroleum, which has led the fleet from day one in Virgin Gorda. Owner John Bassadone speaking on the dock after racing said the team’s strategy for the final day was simple: “Just try to stay calm and keep sailing how we’ve been sailing to see where we end up.”

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