The Purobeach Women’s Cup at the Copa del Ray regatta, held at Real Cub Nautico de Palma was raced in 12 identical Viper 640’s being sailed by some of the best women’s teams at the inaugural Women’s Cup Event sponsored by Mapfre.
For many of the teams, this is their first time in the Viper, and they fell in love with the speed and fun they were having racing the boat. Teams have come from all over Spain, as well as Gran Canaria’s, and 2 teams have flown in all the way from Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Double Olympic medalist Natalia via Dusfrene, won the first day with 3 bullets for Team Dorsia but the racing was super tight behind her. On day two Helena Alegre from the Federation Balearic posted 2 bullets and were clearly getting to grips with the Viper. Racing was postponed on day three due to strong winds but the fleet went out at midday, and had some fantastic racing with race wins for Team Dorsia in the first race, Patrica Suarez from RCN Vigo in the second, with Federation Balearic taking the third race.
Overall, Team Dorsia with Natalia at the helm are sailing consistently and grinding out decent finishes even when they deep in the pack, which is a characteristic of all great sailors. On the last day of fleet racing the fleet was honoured by a visit from the Queen of Spain accompanied by the young princesses. For the finals the event remained wide open with the top 6 boats all recording podium places in the fleet racing so far. With each boat having points equal to their fleet overall position the point are tight with the added pressure of no discard in the final series.
The first race was sailed in the light north easterly land breeze, the breeze faltered giving the mid fleet bunch a chance to overtake the leaders to a shortened line. Leaders Julia Minana Delhom was OCS so Helena Alegre picked up the win.
The sea breeze then kicked in to provide decent conditions for races 2 and 3. Having finished 6th in the first race Natalia Via Dufresne and team needed a good second race to compensate, but disaster struck with one crew member knocked out of the boat on the first downwind leg, and dropping them to the back as they doused the chute and sailed back to recover her. Marina Casado took the win in fine style. The last race gave Julia Minana Delhom a win, but the consistent Helena Alegre ended the day topping the leader board 5 points clear.
The final showdown saw Federation Balearic take the first race whilst FEDERACION CATALANA DE VELA won the second. Helena Alegre’s team held out for a 4th in this final race to give them the title of Purobeach Women’s Cup Champions
1. Federación Balear, Helena Alegre, 3*+1+5+3+1+4=19pts
2. Vela Catalana, Aura Miguel, 4*+4+2+9+3+1=23pts
3. Dorsia Sailing Team, Natalia Via Dufresne, 1*+6+10+6+2+3=28pts
Helena Alegre, skipper of Federación Balear
