Team Nika emerged as the winner of the 44Cup Calero Marinas, the opening event of the 2024 44Cup. The high-performance owner-driver one-design race was held in maximum conditions for all four days of racing in the Canary Islands. In fact, no one could recall a time when the smallest headsail, the J3, was used in every race. Even on the final day, teams faced gusts into the high 20s blowing from the north, over Lanzarote’s barren lunar landscape.
All four days of R44 racing in the Canary Islands were in maximum conditions for the high performance owner-driver one design Photo: Nico Martinez
Team Nika secured their victory with four bullets from nine races. The team faced a challenge from Igor Lah’s Team Ceeref Vaider, who finished second overall, just one point behind Team Nika. Team Ceeref Vaider suffered a spinnaker damage and was awarded a penalty turn and two penalty points in the final race of the regatta.
Several Irish sailors are competing at the 44Cup including Donaghdee's Oisin McClelland and Dublin Bay's Cian Guilfoyle on board Aleph Racing Photo: Nico Martinez
Team Aqua, skippered by Chris Bake, had a remarkable second race, being called OCS and then going on to score their second consecutive bullet. They finished third overall.
The regatta was challenging, with strong winds, and the teams had to cope with tricky conditions that were at the top range of sailing for a 44. Despite this, the event was a great success, and all teams had a blast.
The 44Cup resumes over 8-12 May in Baiona, Spain.
44CUP CALERO MARINAS RESULTS:
(After nine races)
1. Team Nika - 2 1 3 1 4 1 6 7 1 - 26
2. Team CEEREF Vaider - 5 2 1 3 2 2 9 3 5 (2) - 34
3. Peninsula Racing - 3 3 8 5 1 3 4 6 2 - 35
4. Team Aqua - 9 4 2 7 6 5 1 1 4 - 39
5. Aleph Racing - 4 6 6 4 5 6 5 2 3 - 41
6. Charisma - 1 5 9 2 7 4 8 4 6 - 46
7. Black Star Sailing Team - 6 9 4 6 8 8 3 5 7 - 56
8. Artemis Racing - 7 8 7 9 3 7 2 8 8 - 59
9. Calero Sailing Team - 8 7 5 8 9 9 7 9 10DNF - 72
