Mariquita Book - mk2.5

PUIG VELA CLÀSSICA
10 – 13 JULY 2013
Traditionally one of Mariquita’s favourite regattas the Puig Vela
Clàssica in Barcelona was one of the highlights of the season.
With tactician David Bedford enjoying
his second regatta on board, and the crew
increasing in confidence, Mariquita was
beginning to hit top form, as skipper George
Newman describes,
“The teamwork is
really beginning to
come together. When
we started the season
in Antibes it was a
shock to us all how
much we had to
learn. All of the crew
know their systems
now and it’s really beginning to click.” The
competition was keen in Barcelona with
both Moonbeams and Mariette in the Big
Boat Class. The second race was Mariquita’s
best showing, but there was a sting in the tail.
Crew member Guy Ribadeau-Dumas takes
up the story, “We were very fast upwind on
the final leg and first over the line by far, but
beaten by one second by Moonbeam III on
handicap. After four hours racing to lose
first place by a single second was tough.”
However, Barcelona’s legendary hospitality
soon raised spirits as owner Jamie Matheson
noted, “Being in
Barcelona at the best
of times is a great
experience. But to
be here sailing these
fantastic big yachts
is extraordinary. The
Club has looked
after us very well,
all the facilities are
tremendous and the regatta management
has been very good. Literally across the road
from here we are in one of Europe’s major
cultural cities.” A great week all round and
another podium finish. The end of the Puig
Vela Clàssica marked the finish of the first
part of the season and the crew dispersed
for a well-earned rest before reconvening in
Minorca in August.
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