Eker Süzme Take Command of the Cape 31 Gold Cup as Khumbu and G-Spot Claim Bullets in Saint-Tropez
Turkey's Eker Süzme lead the first Cape 31 Gold Cup after the second day of racing in Saint-Tropez, closing a three-race day with a win to open a ten-point lead in the record 28-boat fleet.
Three races were completed in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez today. The breeze was around 10 knots for the start of the first race of the day and built to 12–14 knots by the finish, with a little more wind for the second race.
The day began with a busy start, with a number of boats over the line, including opening-race winners Hatari, who had to go back. Guy Gillon's Khumbu made a great start, led at the top mark from the left side of the course and were locked in a tight battle with Eker Süzme all the way round. Khumbu held on to win by a small margin, with Eker Süzme second and Black Battalion third. There were strong performances too from new team lil'Desna, who finished fifth. Hatari did an amazing job to recover from their restart and climb back to sixth.
G-Spot led at the top mark of race 3 and led the whole way round for an outstanding wire-to-wire win. K-Force Junior took second and Lennard van Oeveren's Motions finished third to win the race for the Corinthian (1 Pro) division, with Give Me Five also having a great race in sixth. Behind them there were close battles throughout the fleet, not least between the overnight top three of Hatari, Eker Süzme and Khumbu.
Eker Süzme answered in style in race 4, taking the bullet ahead of Black Pearl, with Alessandro Rombelli's Stig, the Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit champions, third.
That win, on a 2-2-7-1 scoreline, leaves Eker Süzme on 12 points, ten clear of Marcus Brennecke's Hatari on 22, while Khumbu complete the provisional podium in third on 25 points. Django are fourth on 27 and K-Force Junior complete the top five on 33, level on points with Stig.
Sam Gilmour, sailing with Eker Süzme, said:
"It was an awesome day for us. We had three races we're pretty pleased with, in 10 to 18 knots, which is just perfect for these boats. We knew it was going to be chaos on quite a short course, so our goal was to stay out of traffic and keep our own space. With a big fleet everyone arrives at the top mark at the same time, so you really have to fight for every metre, but it's a lot more fun. We'll take it one race at a time. Hatari are always up there and Stig are having a good event, so we're keeping an eye on them."
In the Corinthian division, Motions' third place in race 3 has carried them to the top on 49 points, ahead of Andrea Castrucci's Chisum on 60 and Outrage by Sériès on 69.
Racing continues on Friday 16 October.
Photography: Sailing Energy
Thank you to Quantum Sails, Sertinox and Exhibit Group, partners of the Cape 31 Gold Cup, and to Henri Lloyd and North Sails for their continued support of the class.
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