From the 6th till the 9th of September, we had the Spanish Formula Champ. At the Bay of Cadiz, launching from the Andalucian Federation´s new training center at Puerto Sherry. As an open event, we had Spanish Formula racers and some Portuguese guests.

First day the wind was blowing from the east; locally call “levante”, with constant 25-30 knots and gust of 30+. The race committee tock around one hour delay, but finally decided to give it a try. Many racers decided to stay on land, like top Sailor Miguel Martinho, said it was way too strong. But still half of the fleet went out. The wind did actually pick up during the waiting, but we started one race. I was on North Warp 10,0 2012, while my test partner Alejandro Alcazar, decided to go with North Warp 9,3. From the Start I felt super fast, reaching the upwind mark far from the second, Marcos Iglesias on Gaastra Vapor 10,0 2012. In the downwind it was not that easy, as it was my first time on my new 10,0. But I managed to win the race. Victor Depoorter was 2º and Marcos was 3º. Alejandro was not so happy on the slalom sail but he managed to finish I 4º position. For the luck of the racer who didn’t go, the race committe decided to finish it for the day.

Second Day the wind was much lighter. The thermic wind from the west, fighting with the Levante, still at Tarifa, gave as a southwest shifty wind. At the first race, Martinho started from the committee boat, while I went to the pin end, looking for the speed in the light conditions. Martinho did the right job, as the pin end was close to the beach and with the onshore wind there was less pressure. He tacked on top of me, and got the best position to easily control the race. Unlucky a big monofilm panel of my sail (12m Noth Warp 2012) broke on the downwind. I was still able to finish in second and found some Tape to make a quick fix for the next back to back race. Marcos Iglesias was 3º. Second race the wind was a bit stronger at the beginning, around 9 to 10 knots, but my broken sail was not in its best shape. Also the wind dropped in the second round. 5 knots measured at upwind mark. Martinho won the race again, I was second, and Ramón Pastor was 3º.

The third day, the wind was light again. I had managed to make fix my sail properly and as soon as it pick up, the race committe called us into the water. We had one start, but the wind was again dropping. The call of the race, and that was it.

The last day the forecast was lighter, but luckily forecast are not always right! We started with a good 9 to 11 knots race. I started again at the pin end, as the course was not close to the beach any more. Martinho started from the boat and did it again. He tacked on top of me when pproaching the upwind mark. But this time I managed to get clear air. Next tack he managed to make me go down to get around him and I just missed the mark. He took the upwind mark while I was double tacking. In the downwind I was able to get just behind, and taking the downwind door to the left while he was doing it to the right, I got in front of him and finished in front. Martinho was 2º and Alejandro Alcazar was clearly 3º.

The next two races the wind picked up to 12-13 knots and 14-15 knots. Race was hot, good wind and good racing. Result was the same as the first race. At the end I was first with four 1º and two 2º, POR-5 was second, and Alejandro Alcazar was 3º at the race and 2º at the Spanish Podium.

Very good competition with in total 3 days racing out of 4.

One in over 30 knots, one in 5 to10 knots and the last one in 9 to 15 knots.

Saludos

Fernando

ESP71