Racing in the Perini Navi Cup continued today Saturday 5th September with the fleet assmbling on the starting line at 1000, one hour earlier than is normal.
The first warning signal had been moved forward by one hour in order to increase the chances of completing another coastal race before the 10-14 knots of breeze predicted for the morning increases to the 25 knots and above forecast for the early afternoon.
With two coastal races now completed, the 56 metre ketch Rosehearty, guided around the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago by Americas Cup tactician Paul Cayard, was leading the overall classification with two bullets under her belt.
Today the fleet had to contend with stronger winds and with us sailing aboard The Maltese Falcon it was a chance to witness how well she performs down wind.
This time, because it was a down wind start, The Maltese Falcon was the 5th yacht to cross the line in a near perfect start. We thundered across at a stonking 16.5 knots in 25 knots of wind.
We were following Rosehearty and witnessed the moment she popped her spinnaker and had to haul down the tattered remnants. Seahawk was trying hard to pass us in those early stages but we were faster and held her off until we rounded the mark and headed hard onto the wind which is not the strongest point of sailing for a three masted square rigged sailing ship!
Then the wind became fickle and the diminutive Elettra began to play tactics rather well and spoiled our intended course as we passed Jasali II
Seahawk made an audacious and somewhat ambitious turn and shot up the inside and went on to pass the fleet to cross the line ahead of everyone else. Rosehearty lost her much needed 2nd place to a very well sailed Clan VII who as a result will almost certainly be crowned the winner when the racing, awards will be presented at the prize giving ceremony in Piazza Azzurra followed by a closing gala dinner at the YCCS Clubhouse.
The Maltese Falcon started 5th and finished in the same position