Dubai: Dubai-based Team Aqua is relishing the challenge of further consolidating its position in the RC 44 Valencia Cup sailing as the second stage of the competition got under way Friday.
"We are looking forward to having Chris [Bake] come in. I know he's very excited to get here," said Team Aqua professional helmsman Cameron Appleton. On Wednesday, Appleton came up with a solid second day performance to nudge out early leader Artemis led by Terry Hutchinson and win the match racing leg of the RC 44 Valencia Cup.
Team Aqua ended with a 9-1 record, just one win ahead of second and third-placed Artemis and Russell Coutts's BMW Oracle Racing.
"Bake was watching our racing on line during an important meeting and had to keep asking the others in the room to repeat themselves," Appleton said.
Fleet racing does not allow for the professional helmsmen who drove during the match racing. All helmsmen must be classified as an amateur. In most cases, that means the boat owner is back on the handle bars.
Another looking ahead to the fleet racing is Ceeref owner Igor Lah. He was aboard his boat for the match racing as tactician, but he will now get the chance to put his bow where it doesn't belong.
"I'm really looking forward to the fleet racing. The conditions here are great," said Lah of Slovenia.
"It's a nice breeze and interesting waves, and the level of competition keeps increasing from event to event."
Organisers have planned up to four races a day until tomorrow.
During Thursday's practice race, the event hosted a dozen sailors from the youth programme at Real Club Nautico de Valencia.
AEZ RC 44 Sailing Team won the first practice race while Islas Canarias Puerto Calero was first across the line of the second one following a captivating run inside Valencia's Darsena.
