Valencia: Chris Bake's Team Aqua pulled an enviable treble by winning the match racing, fleet racing and overall championship at the RC 44 Valencia Cup.
Team Aqua entered the final day with a 4-point lead over Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis of Sweden.
After Sunday's first race Artemis looked set to shoot into first when it whittled that lead to two points by placing third in Race 9 to Aqua's fifth.
"We were 45 seconds late off the line in that race," said Bake, who described his team as ‘boxed out and going backwards' when the start gun fired.
"Aqua had been shut out by No Way Back at the committee boat end of the line."
Bake and crew, however, got a much better start in the 10th and final race, and then covered Artemis to secure the clean sweep with a three-boat length win.
Quick boat
In celebration Bake sacrificed his cell phone when he was pushed into the water by class founder Russell Coutts upon returning to the dock.
Tornqvist and his Artemis crew also pulled a treble. They were placed second in the match racing, fleet racing and overall.
"Congratulations to the Aqua crew," said Tornqvist.
"They won the match racing and fleet racing and not by coincidence. They sail well and have a quick boat. Well done to them."
Aqua's win also creates a log jam at the top of the championship leaderboard. Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing, which Coutts helmed in the match racing, is the new leader with 6 points.
The next three teams Aqua, Artemis and No Way Back are just 1 point behind.
"This class is always tight and it won't get easier," said Bake. "But this afternoon it feels good to have a clean sweep."
