Dubai: With two bullets, a second and a fourth place, Armando Giulietti, the owner of Team Hiroshi - Città di Milano, can be satisfied: he did even better than his brilliant pro skipper Sébastien Col earlier in the week during the match-race event!
Held in 15-18 knots of wind, under a blazing sunshine and on big waves, the first day of the fleet-racing event will stay in the short RC 44 Class history as the funniest and best racing day to date.
Even before the start of the first race, as the teams were warming up under jib & main sail, speeds of up to 20 knots were reached while surfing the swell.
Those conditions didn't in any way prompt the teams to start on the back foot. On the contrary, they were hot on the line, aggressive and pushing hard.
Team Sea Dubai even pushed so hard that it closed the door on Team Aqua, who had no other option but to crash badly on the Committee boat, unfortunately pursuing its series of bad luck in this event. Luckily, thanks to the bow crash box, Team Aqua's crewmembers could repair the damage quickly and join the fleet back for the third race.
Sailing fast and very well, Team Hiroshi-Città di Milano took the lead away from Sea Dubai on the first downwind leg, winning the race despite Patrick De Barros's numerous attacks.
The scenario was similar on race two Team Sea Dubai took a good start, sailed very well to the windward mark before being overtaken by Armando Giulietti on the run.
As for Patrick De Barros's Team ES Bankers Dubai, it suffered a jib tackle breakage during the first beat. The crew's reaction was quick, allowing the team to finish fourth; a few points in the pocket that could well prove crucial at the end of the week considering how close the racing is.
