Royal Cup Tomorrow on Virtual eye

Racing can be followed live with radio commentary on Virtual Eye at www.52superseries.com. Website embed code available at the end of the press release Sailing's elite including Olympic medallists, America’s Cup winners and world champions are among the crews preparing to compete in the third regatta of the 52 Super Series when the Royal Cup starts at the Real Club Náutico in Palma at 1100 UTC tomorrow. Audi Azzurra Sailing Team are hoping an artillery of new sails will help to reel in the 52 Super Series leaders Quantum Racing when the four-day Royal Cup starts in Palma, Mallorca on July 11. Azzurra skipper Guillermo Parada said there was plenty of pressure on his team to step-up in the third regatta in the world’s premier inshore monohull series, with just three points separating Azzurra and Quantum with two regattas to go. “

photo by Xaume Olleros/52 Superserie

This could be the turning point in the series,’’ Parada said. “If Quantum manage to get more points on us it’s going to be hard for us to get them back in with only one regatta, come the Valencia Cup in September.” Parada said his team will hit the start line with three new sails tailor made for the moderate conditions in Palma Bay and also a change in the crew, with Mariano Parada replacing tactician Francesco Bruni, who has America’s Cup commitments. “The crew change may look big on paper, but it’s not,’’ Parada said. “As for the sails, we hope they will be give us a boost.” Quantum Racing are no easy target. The defending champions have won seven of the 14 races in the series to date and only failed to finish on the podium twice.

photo by Xaume Olleros/52 Superserie

 Double America’s Cup winner Quantum skipper Ed Baird said his team are aiming to harness their winning momentum heading into Wednesday’s Royal Cup. “The group right now are meshing well, there’s good information flow,” Baird said. “We had our ups and downs in the last event and with one day to go we were behind, but the guys took that in their stride and it worked out. They are really fighting to improve each and every day.” Rán Racing skipper Niklas Zennström said his team, who are third in the overall 52 Super Series, have their work cut out for them to chase down Quantum and Azzurra.

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