THE “YACHT PORT CARTAGENA” WITH EMILIO AZOFRA AT THE HELM THE MURCIAN TEAM HAS HAD AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. THEY WON THE LAST RACE ENDING AT 3 POINTS OF THE CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS.
The VI Championship of Spain J/80 class was disputed on the waters of Mar Menor of Murcia between September 20 and 23. The race was preceded by the overwhelming success of the Spanish teams in the world championship of Darmouth. The level shown by the 24 boats that started the race on the first day was as high as expected. The top three of the World Cup in Darmouth won again, although this time in different order: Rayco Tabares (Autran), Carlos Martinez (Mapfre), and Jose Maria van der Ploeg (Nilfisk).
Another highlight of the regatta was the performance of the boat “Yacht Port” with Emilio Azofra at the helm. After seven races only three points separated the team from achieving the third place which was taken by the new world champion in the class and Olympic gold medallist, Jose Maria van der Ploeg. Additionally noteworthy was that “Yacht Port” won the last race. The up line performance of this team, which participates under the auspices of the YachtPort Cartagena, is reflected in the fact that it is one of the boats that usually sails in the leading group of the fleet. The 4th place at Darmouth in one of the races is proof for that.
Commenting this article to Emilio, he sent me an email that said this: “Only one issue. Without my team I am nobody. Would you mind if the members of the team were mentioned in the article aswell? The team members were Alberto Martinez (Toto), World Champion of the Vaurien class and main protagonist, who was appointed to join the team after the world championship in England, Fernando Lorenzana, Javier Mulas, and my daughter, Mercedes Azofra, 11, who sailed with us to achieve the maximum weight (338,6 kg) as close as possible, (with her the total weight was 337Kg).”