The first round of the new 52 Super Series season ended on January 20 in Key West. 11 crews from eight countries participated in the regatta. Russia was represented by Bronenosec Vladimir Lubomirov.
In the decisive race Bronenosec Sailing Team finished second, and on the whole, according to the results of the stage in Key West, shared fifth place with Italian Azzurra.
To start the new season in 52 Super Series the St. Petersburg Yacht Club team made several key changes in the crew. The position of tactician was taken by the titled American yachtsman Morgan Larson. In addition the crew was reinforced by many-time champion of Russia in class Finn Egor Terpigorev.
«The first races of the new season which started in frames of the traditional Key West Race Week in Florida confirmed the fact that neither team is going to stay in the middle of the pack».
«Armadillo» opened the competition with unstable results in the middle of the table, helped by their own mistakes as well as unfortunate accidents, in particular a gennaker tear in one of the races. The team was penalized several times.
«First days were more difficult for us than we expected, but gradually we managed to cope with the tension and find our rhythm, - says helmsman Vladimir Liubomirov, - We should keep in mind that now the crew is not fully worked up, since we have a lot of new riders».
Indeed, according to the results of the second day, the team shared third place with the Italian Azzurra, but then again shifted to the middle of the table. The fresh winds of the first days of the regatta gave way to light and choppy winds that rarely exceeded 10 knots. Given the predicted weakening, the committee held three races on January 18 instead of the traditional two, and the day proved to be one of the most challenging. « Armadillo» almost secured the win on several occasions, but, coincidence prevented that prospect from materializing.
By the start of the decisive tenth race on 20 January, the fleet approached in exceptionally tight formation. Three teams shared second place in the standings at once. These are 2016 season winners Quantum Racing, early regatta leaders Platoon of Germany, and series veterans Azzurra of Italy. Just one point separated them from Sweden's RAN Racing, who won the first race on January 19. Sixth place was shared by Bronenosec Sailing Team and series newcomers Interlodge with two-time Games medalist and VOR winner Ian Walker at the helm. Overall, the first and seventh places in the standings were separated by just eight points.
«Armadillo» started well in the middle of the line and was already in the top three on the first lap. He managed to pass Interlodge and finished second, behind the future winner of the stage, American Quantum Racing.
Paradoxically, the conclusion of the regatta did not bring resolution to the standings. Based on the results of the races in Key West, three teams at once shared the second line with the same number of points. With that, second and seventh places were separated by just two points.
«The competition in Key West gives us an idea of how difficult will be the new season in 52 Super Series - says Vladimir Liubomirov, - but we showed positive dynamics and now our team is ready for any challenge».
According to the 52 Super Series 2017 competition calendar, the next round of the series will also take place in the USA. This time, the TR52 fleet will host Miami. The 52 Super Series will then return to the Mediterranean for the World Class Championship (May, Scarlino, Italy) and three more rounds respectively in June(Porto Cervo, Italy), July and September (Spain).
