It was a solid day in Palma for INEOS TEAM UK, who placed a consistent set of results including two race wins to see the British team top the GC32 Copa del Rey Mapfre leaderboard overnight.
The eight-strong fleet raced five competitive races in good breeze on the Bay of Palma - averaging between 9-12 knots – with the conditions providing fast foiling action for the spectator fleet.
This was the first race day for this INEOS TEAM UK crew combination following three rotations to the line-up that podiumed at last month’s GC32 Lagos Cup in Portugal.
© Harry KH
Skipper, Leigh McMillan commented; “Today was a solid day for the team with everything clicking at the right time during racing. We have entered the GC32 Racing Tour to get the sailing team back out competing in a high-pressured racing environment and this means rotating the line-up throughout the season.
“Most of the crew in Palma haven’t raced together before and with only a small number of training days before the regatta we are pleased to be gelling so quickly.
“The conditions in Palma have been glamour on the race course and pretty much perfect for these foiling boats, we are looking forward to more of the same tomorrow.”
Palma is the third event of the 2018 GC32 Racing Tour with eight teams from seven nations competing over four days of racing. Similar conditions are forecast for race day two with racing continuing at 1200 UK time with a further five races scheduled.
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Leaderboard - Day 1
1. INEOS TEAM UK (GBR) 9 pts
2. NORAUTO (FRA) 11 pts
3. Realteam (SUI) 21 pts
4. film Racing (NZL) 23 pts
5. Argo (USA) 24 pts
6. Zoulou (FRA) 27 pts
7. Frank Racing (AUS) 32 pts
8. Código Rojo Racing (POR) 34 pts
INEOS TEAM UK GC32 Race Squad for Palma:
Leigh McMillan – Helmsman
Luke Parkinson, Mainsail
Joey Newton, Jib Trim
Giles Scott, Bow / Tactics
Neil Hunter, Float
Support team:
Jono Macbeth, Sailing Team Manager
Rob Wilson, Coach
Matty Adams, Boat Builder
Aston Campion, Shore Support
Ben Williams, Head of Human Performance
Remaining events 2018 GC32 Racing Tour:
GC32 Villasimius Cup, 12 – 16 September - Villasímius, Sardinia, Italy
GC32 TPM Med Cup, 10 –14 October - Toulon, France