VIDEO: MexORC Copa Corum 2014

MexORC was hosted in the city of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico on March 23-29, a biannual event that is live for more than 20 years and gathers some very fast and of the latest technology sailing boats.

Event website: http://mexorc.com.mx

Combined with the Oceanic Race from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta the MexORC gives the chance to all the National and International boats that completed this hard and demanding race of around 1.300 nautical miles to enjoy the hospitality of Puerto Vallarta and combine it with some great and close racing in the Bahia de las Banderas. The MexORC is also part of the Copa Mexico, a big sailing week with competitors from kite racing and opti boats to the J24’s and the big ORC boats. This year for the first time the MexORC was included in the Circuito Mexicano de Vela.

The fleet was divided in three different categories, the ORR1 where the bigger boat were, the ORR2 where were the medium sized boats and the ORR3 where the smaller boats were. The first day started with great sailing conditions for the 21 boats that competed this year. Two windward leeward races were completed with Edward McDowells Grand Illusion going head to head with Ricardo Brockmann’s Vincitore in ORR1 class, while Hamachi and Veloce were neck and neck in ORR2 class sharing a bullet and a second each. In ORR3 it was Generalisimo from the Mexican Navy that lead after the first day. During the second day there no significant changes at the results as the top boats continued with steady performances. The third day would be a decisive one as the coastal race was scheduled. So the crews had to prepare their boats carefully for the demanding 20 nautical miles race that would take the boats north of the Bahia de las Banderas and back to the finish line located in front of the port.

The format selected to the offshore race was different to what it is usually used in sailing events. Each boat would start individually according to the time correction for the sailed miles of the course. The race was a long upwind leg with great sailing conditions, as the boats were sailing further out of the gulf the wind was increasing and the speeds of the boats as well. By the time the fleet was rounding the 1st mark the bigger boats were already catching up and they were all very close and the excitement was high. The fast asymmetrical spinnakers were hoisted and the boats were flying downwind surfing down the waves. By early afternoon the first boats were crossing the finish line with satisfaction and joy drawn to the faces of the sailors.

After a day off the event continued with the windward leeward races. To the 3 days remaining another 3 inshore races and one longer offshore were scheduled so everything was still at stake.

The J70’s class was an addition to the event during these 3 last days, as they would compete in the same course with smaller legs for them. The strong fleet of 7 teams was having a blast with the windy and wavy conditions that were blowing. The boats required 4 crew members and their light weight and big sail area were offering a combination for fast and fun sailing. Giovanni Aloi and his team managed to sail clean and win the event marginally.

In the ORR classes it was an easy task for the top teams of each class as they all managed to create a safe lead as the races came close to the final day. The windy conditions along with the pressure of the competition pushed all crews to the limit and often mistakes were in the game. Ripped spinnakers and hard roundings were changing the game and the most trained crews were able to show their skills and come up with good results.

In the ORR1 Class it was Edward McDowell’s Grand Illusion that came on top with Ricardo Brockmann’s Vincitore in second and Lorenzo Berno’s Peligroso in third. In ORR2 Greg Slyngstad’s Hamachi lost only 3 out of 9 races and managed to have a clear lead from Veloce II skippered by Andres Baptista, while Akelarre skippered by Jose Usobiaga was third. In the smaller ORR3 class it was Ernesto Atmann’s Bandido that eliminated all competition, having Generalismo from the Mexican Navi in second place and Olas Lindas skippered by Patrick and Linda Sweet in third.

The closing ceremony was another success to seal this year’s event. Mariachis, traditional dancing and good food were in the menu before the awards were given to the winners. The top teams went on the stage one after the other applauded warmly by the rest of the competitors.

Source: Report and video by ICARUS SAILING MEDIA