As the upwinds fell much more in line with conventional logic, the key to success was the ability (and at times luck) to navigate a smooth passage through the crowded field. All the crews had to be super alert and the value of advance training was priceless.
In the J-class race, yesterday saw only 38 seconds separate the first three Js across the line – Hanuman, Ranger and Lionheart. In the words of Kenny Read, Hanuman’s skipper-helm: “It does not get any better racing-wise than this. This is as good as it gets, high quality, high powered racing.” Claasen’s Lionheart is still in pole position in the overall J-class rankings with a one point lead over Hanuman. Will she still hold that lead at the end of the day? We hope so of course, but good luck to all!
Turning to the other Claasen yachts, Heartbeat and Drumfire came second and third in their class respectively, although Firefly and Atalante had more of a torrid time. As we go into the fourth and last day of races, Heartbeat is second in Class 3 and fifth overall. If she is to repeat her feat last year of winning overall she must overtake Ganesha and Inoiu (Class 1), Maria Cattiva (Class 3) and current fleet leader Unfurled (Class 2). The St Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort Race starts at 13.00.