Dubai: Pieter Heerema of The Netherlands will be hoping to consolidate his position at the top of the standings as he leads his No Way Back crew into action when 11 crews start battle in the RC 44 sailing in Valencia this week.
Last year's season champions have amassed a low score of eight points after finishing with two thirds and one second place after three races held on the 2010 calendar. But they are definite the competition has got a lot harder this year.
"We've been consistent, but this isn't the moment to talk about the standings," said Heerema, a veteran sailor of dinghies and keelboats. "After this regatta each team gets to discard its worst finish, so the standings will change."
Consistent show
Three points in arrears is the Russell Coutts-led BMW Oracle Racing crew aboard Deal Breaker, while Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis holds third place with 12 points, followed by Chris Bake's Team Aqua with 14 points and Harm Mueller-Speer's Team Sea Dubai in fifth place with 16 points.
"They've been very consistent," said Team Aqua helmsman Cameron Appleton of New Zealand.
"Pieter has put in a lot of time and effort and it's paid off. They're a strong unit."
Other competitors in the event include Igor Lah's Team Ceeref of Slovenia, BMW Oracle Racing's Boat 17 led by skipper James Spithill, Guennadi Timtchenko's Katusha of Russia, Daniel Calero's Islas Canarias Puerto Calero and René Mangold's AEZ RC44 Sailing Team of Austria.
The class is also pleased to welcome back Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino Audi Team. One of the original boats in the class, Mascalzone Latino will be racing its first event of the season.
