Sailing at the RC44 Austria Cup

Lake Traun, Austria - Igor Lah and James Spithill of the Slovenian team Ceeref have won the RC44 Austria Cup. “James Spithill did a fantastic job today, and the crew was just perfect; they haven’t done a single mistake. I enjoy lake sailing. It is very challenging but it is beautiful.” said Igor Lah, helmsman for Team Ceeref.

Team Aqua came in second after some tough sailing in light and shifting winds. "It was very interesting to race here; it’s challenging to read the shifts and to manage the wind. I have enjoyed this very much and the scenery was fantastic” said Chris Bake, helmsman for Team Aqua.

The last race of the Austria Cup event was the DHL long distance trophy, which started in the southern part of the lake, near Ebensee. The fleet enjoyed a long beat alongside the stunningly beautiful cliffs and wild forests.

Patrick de Barros, helmsman for overall third place winner Banco Espirito Santo: “This has been a fantastic event, with an outstanding organization. Of course, sometimes it was frustrating and we had to wait for the wind. But it is definitely worth it. I have enjoyed the scenery but Russell has given me a hard time. He doesn’t leave me half a second to look around. If turn my head to look, I immediately get told off!”

Looks like that discipline paid of, as Banco Espirito Santo made it first in Gmunden, ahead of team Aqua and Team Hiroshi, to win the DHL trophy. Russell Coutts, tactician for Banco Espirito Santo: “For us sailors, it is really refreshing to sail in different locations, and to mix the conditions we sail in. It tests all our skills. And the consequence is that some people are better in some conditions and some in other. The hierarchy is not the same. That’s what’s great about sailing; nothing’s ever acquired. In this lake, you just need to keep looking out of the boat, and if you make a mistake, carry on looking for a solution instead of being frustrated. You must permanently look ahead and focus on the future.”

Speaking of the future, the next regatta of the RC 44 Championship tour is the Malcesine Cup, July 9th on Lake Garda.

-- RC44 Austria Cup --
Fleet-race, final results after seven races (no discard):

(Name of team, helmsman, No of victories / defeats, points)

1) Team Ceeref, Igor Lah, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 9 - 19 points
2) Team Aqua, Chris Bake,1, 3, 2, 3, 7, 2, 2 - 20 points
3) Team Banco Espirito Santo, Patrick de Barros, 4, 4, 4, 2, 6, 4, 1 - 25 points
4) Team Hiroshi - Città di Milano, Armando Giulietti, 5, 7, 6, 5, 1, 5, 3 - 32 points
5) Team Beecom, Isao Mita 7, 5, 5, 4, 3, 1, 8 – 33 points
6) BMW ORACLE Racing, Larry Ellison, 3, 9, 3, 9, 5, 7, 4 - 40 points
7) Team Organika, Maciej Navrocki, 8, 8, 7, 6, 4, 8, 5 – 46 points
8) Sea Dubai, Markus Wieser 6, 2, DSQ, 8, 9, 6, 6 – 47 points
9) Cro-Aut-Sail, Rene Mangold, 9, 6, 8, 7, 8, 9, 7 - 54 points

DHL Trophy winner: Team Banco Espirito Santo

- KH | Photos by Martina Wohlesser

Lake Traun (Traunsee) in Austria, location of the RC44 Austria Cup.

Amateur video of the RC44 Austria Cup