Nacho Postigo, Technical Director of the Audi MedCup Circuit, sums up the 2011 season, gives his view on the TP 52 and Soto 40 racing classes, and provides an outlook to next year.
The 2012 Audi MedCup Circuit finishes in Barcelona and the competition is closer than ever before. What have been the key contributing factors this season?”
Nacho Postigo – “The potential of all campaigns has been getting higher and closer every year. There are no more favourites or outsiders. Every team can beat the others. We had four different winners in four events in the 52 Series, and the boats often finished within seconds. And the Soto 40 class is now growing rapidly and sees the level rising. Competition couldn’t be better.”
AMC – What is your opinion on the size of the 52 Series fleet, is there an optimum number given the current economic climate?
NC – “We prefer to have these eight truly competitive 52 Series campaigns to just having higher numbers of boats that can’t match the pace on the race course. We are aiming for attractive regattas and want to inspire new owners. The TP 52 is the de facto top monohull class for grand prix racing in the world on the world’s leading regatta circuit. It’s dynamic, challenging and telegenic. And we’ll have more Soto 40 racing in 2012, the pre-entries have already been filed”.
AMC – The Audi MedCup so far sticks to its name by running four out of five events in the Mediterranean. Are you thinking about extending the series to other countries and race areas?
NC – “Yes, right now we’re looking into a different route for the 2012 circuit. There might be a regatta in Northern Europe next time.”
AMC – What are the most important criteria for choosing a venue?
NP – “First of all, a new regatta venue needs to provide good sailing conditions. But any venue should also appeal to the criteria desirable to owners and crews, and it must represent an important market to the title sponsor. And last every event has serious logistical requirements, and it needs to fit into the budget.”
AMC – Might we see Audi MedCup regattas contested on the Baltic Sea?
NP – “This may happen, why not? There are a couple of interesting options, for example in Germany and Sweden. We have invited some guests from potential host cities, not only from Kiel and Travemünde, which have indicated a strong interest in hosting an Audi MedCup event, and they have come to have a look at the set-up here in Barcelona”.
AMC – So, in essence though new areas will be reached, it will remain the Med Cup?
NP – “The MedCup is a strong brand which has been built from firm roots and popularity in the Mediterranean and we do not want to compromise ourselves there. I see us sticking to at least two events held in the Med. But a season opener is most likely to happen again on the Atlantic coast”.
AMC – When do you plan on announcing the venues for 2012?
NP – “We plan to announce the route of the upcoming Audi MedCup Circuit by the end of this year. This will still give us enough time to build up the tension in all countries. I’m a hundred percent sure that we’ll have another great season with dramatic racing in 2012”.
