All seven of the IMOCA Europa Warm’Up fleet took to the waters off Barcelona today challenging each other down a timed track off the W-Hotel of just less than one mile.
The fastest boat of the day was Banque Populaire, but the overall conclusion shared between the teams and the observers, was that the speeds and times were incredibly close and there is no standout speedster.
They made three runs. The first two were in lighter winds and really just allowed the crews to find their feet, to understand the subtleties of the course. The third was the best with the strongest breeze. Given how close it was between the fleet it is almost impossible to draw a speed ranking between the crews and the different designs. But clearly the degree of perfectionism, the high standards of sailing and the cutting edge designs all add up to being very close in terms of speed potential. Even from what was seen today, it can be seen that winning the Europa Warm’Up will be down to strategy, maneuvers and how well the skippers and crew know their boat.
Weather uncertainties
The start from Barcelona Saturday, May 19, should see almost ideal conditions. If the winds are as expected, the fleet should get going well during the first twenty-four hours. But then there will be a series of transitions: calms with erratic wind shifts before the wind returns again from ahead. The fleet would then progress on a long uncomfortable heeled at nearly 30 °, wet and with the constant cacophony of the waves slamming on the carbon. But the descent of the Mediterranean will be testing but enjoyable and the upwind leg to Cascais will make the arrival all the more welcome.
Ranking Chrono Barcelona
1 - Banque Populaire - 7min 19s
2 - Chimneys Poujoulat - 7min 21s
3 - PRB - 7 min 22 s
4 - Groupe Bel - 7min 26s
5 - MACIF - 7min 27s
6 - 100% ACCIONA EcoPowered - 7min 30s
7 - Virbac-Paprec 3 - 7min 51s
Ranking of the fleet race (not overall):
1 - Banque Populaire - 6mn 52s
2 - PRB - 7min 10s
3 - Virbac-Paprec 3 - 7min 27s
4 - Chimneys Poujoulat - 7min 49s
5 - 100% ACCIONA EcoPowered - 8min 02s
6 - Groupe Bel - 8min 28s
7 - MACIF - 10m 12s
From : Europa Warm'Up
Credit : DR
The fastest boat of the day was Banque Populaire, but the overall conclusion shared between the teams and the observers, was that the speeds and times were incredibly close and there is no standout speedster.
They made three runs. The first two were in lighter winds and really just allowed the crews to find their feet, to understand the subtleties of the course. The third was the best with the strongest breeze. Given how close it was between the fleet it is almost impossible to draw a speed ranking between the crews and the different designs. But clearly the degree of perfectionism, the high standards of sailing and the cutting edge designs all add up to being very close in terms of speed potential. Even from what was seen today, it can be seen that winning the Europa Warm’Up will be down to strategy, maneuvers and how well the skippers and crew know their boat.
Weather uncertainties
The start from Barcelona Saturday, May 19, should see almost ideal conditions. If the winds are as expected, the fleet should get going well during the first twenty-four hours. But then there will be a series of transitions: calms with erratic wind shifts before the wind returns again from ahead. The fleet would then progress on a long uncomfortable heeled at nearly 30 °, wet and with the constant cacophony of the waves slamming on the carbon. But the descent of the Mediterranean will be testing but enjoyable and the upwind leg to Cascais will make the arrival all the more welcome.
Ranking Chrono Barcelona
1 - Banque Populaire - 7min 19s
2 - Chimneys Poujoulat - 7min 21s
3 - PRB - 7 min 22 s
4 - Groupe Bel - 7min 26s
5 - MACIF - 7min 27s
6 - 100% ACCIONA EcoPowered - 7min 30s
7 - Virbac-Paprec 3 - 7min 51s
Ranking of the fleet race (not overall):
1 - Banque Populaire - 6mn 52s
2 - PRB - 7min 10s
3 - Virbac-Paprec 3 - 7min 27s
4 - Chimneys Poujoulat - 7min 49s
5 - 100% ACCIONA EcoPowered - 8min 02s
6 - Groupe Bel - 8min 28s
7 - MACIF - 10m 12s
From : Europa Warm'Up
