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Jul22

THE GREEKS HAVE TO CONTRAST THE SPANISH REVENGE

After two intensive days and five races the Greek team “Modus Vivendi-3Alfa” keeps the first place in the general ranking list of the Platu 25 World Championship in Alicante (18-24 July). Yesterday the Greeks - already Champions in 2008 - had to abandon the first race because of a technical problem and the Spanish Armada could gain upon them. “Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar” from Galicia conquered the second place followed by “La Revoltosa” from Valencia. Definitely today is the recovery day for the Spanish boats.

Three different Spanish crews get a win each: Iberdrola helmed by Manu Weiller; La Revoltosa by Jaime Pont and Fermax by Dani Maestre

It was a very intense day yesterday in the waters of Alicante where the Platú 25 worlds are taking place and where the Spanish crews had a clear comeback. Iberdrola; La Revoltosa and Fermax were the key actors getting a win each in the three races that were sailed. The Greek Modus Vivendi-3Alfa owned by Kostas Karageorgiou is still leading, despite having to retire from a race and thanks to the discard being taken into consideration.

Kostas Karageorgiou , owner Modus Vivendi-3Alfa confirmed “In the first race we were leading but we suffered a problem to the spinnaker halyard and could not continue racing, were forced to retire to solve it and be back at 100% for the rest of the day."

But the difficulties didn’t discourage the Greeks, on the contrary as Panagiotis Mantis remarked“I like this wind conditions and the choppy sea because it is where the real competition is and you can get the best out of your crew. All the crews participating to this Wolrd Champ are at a very high level and there is no clear favourite to the title, even if if I have to choose I would say Bribón-Movistar; La Revoltosa or Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar. As for the championship I believe the organizers, and the Committee especially, are doing a great job dealing with course changes in time and hoisting the back flag when it is needed."

The day began very similarly to the first day, with a short postponement, but then the bree settled at around 10 knots from 170°. The crews seemed to be very aggressive and the Committee opted again for a black flag start, after a general recall. Modus Vivendi-3Alfa had a very good start yet closely followed by Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar; Iberdrola and Bribón-Movistar. Showing excellent speed the Greeks led the pack to the first mark, leaving no options to their rivals.

Unfortunately in the downwind leg they had a technical problem and were forced to abandon racing, their competitors quickly profiting from the situation. It was the boat skippered by Manu Weiller , Iberdrola, to get first on the finish line, then it was Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar's turn and Fermax was third.

The second race saw a 12 knots wind from 170° and, once again a black flag. Quickly recovering from their initial misfortune Modus Vivendi-3Alfa's crew showed top tactical abilities even if the Valencian La Revoltosa, with Snipe world champion the Argentinian Axel Rodger helming, took the leadership in the first dowwind leg and kept it until the finish. Behind them the Greeks and Carpantxo, owned by Jesús Pintos and with Francisco Sánchez calling tactics.

For the last day's race, the wind didn't change much both in intensity and direction and the Committe recorded a record number of three general recall before hoisting the black flag. Several boats were caught over the line and automatically disqualified. As the boat end seemed to show more pressure, the Iberian from Fermax had a clear and fast start and led the fleet from the beginning to the end, getting their first win in the 2010 Worlds.

Second was Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar and third Bribón-Movistar, followed by the Germans on Flexi, able to recover and take over many boats on the last downwind leg, just a few metres in front of Modus Vivendi-3Alfa.

Thanks to yesterday's results Modus Vivendi-3Alfa maintains the first overall provisional spot with 12 points and one discard, second is Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar at 10 and third La Revoltosa at 17.Today three more races are scheduled.

Click here to see the video of the day

GENERAL RESULTS (66 ENTRIES)

1 – Modus Vivendi (Greece) : 1+3+67(DNF)+2+6 = 12 puntos

2 – Mexillón de Galicia-Movistar (Spain) 6+31+2+4+2 = 14 puntos

3 – La Revoltosa (Spain) 4+13+8+1+4 = 17 puntos

4 – Carpantxo (Spain) : 2+4+10+3+10 = 19 puntos

5 – The Collection /Coppel Dental (Spain) : 11+1+6+5+8 = 20 puntos

6.- Fermax (Spain) 10+17+3+9+1 = 23 puntos

7.- Bribón-Movistar (Spain) 16+7+9+6+3 = 24 puntos

8.- Iberdrola (Spain) 15+10+1+7+12= 29 puntos

9.- Xacobeo 2010 Galicia (Spain) 8+24+4+13+7= 32 puntos

10.- Flexi (Germany) 3+10+28+16+5= 34 puntos