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44Cup World Championship – Calero Sailing Team Shines on the 44Cup Circuit!
21-25 August 2024
Under typical circumstances, the team with the 44Cup’s ‘black boat’ would find themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard in the high-performance Russell Coutts-conceived owner-driver RC44 one-designs. However, Daniel Calero and his Calero Sailing Team defied those expectations on day two of the 44Cup World Championship in Brunnen, Switzerland, posting an impressive 5-7 in the nine-boat fleet during today’s two races on Lake Lucerne.
After a strong opening day where Calero Sailing Team reached the windward mark first place in two races but lost ground later on, today’s first race saw them win the pin end of the start. They skillfully led out to the left, cleverly tacked back on port, and despite ducking transoms, found themselves in the top group at the mark. Interestingly, the minority who opted for the right side successfully gained on this leg.
“We were over the lay line and tacked before the fleet, which was a great decision,” said Calero Sailing Team’s tactician and former Snipe World Champion Alfredo Gonzalez. “We won the left fleet while the three boats that initially went right crossed ahead of us.”
Calero Sailing Team demonstrated improved performance on the downwinds today, finishing fifth at the leeward gate after overall leader Team Nika, and managed to defend their position in the next lap, achieving their highest standings of the regatta so far.
“It was another fantastic day – a good result for us,” Gonzales noted. “If we can fine-tune the details, we have the potential to contend for a top three or four finish. Although we consistently reach the top four at the top mark, we lose ground due to small issues with hoists and drops. We’re newcomers to the fleet, but the crew is showing significant improvement.”
Gonzalez also commented on the team’s progress downwind, stating, “Typically, when we are sailing alone, our VMG is good. The real challenge arises when the wind changes and we need to react quickly.”
The Calero Sailing Team is notably comprised of a star-studded crew. One standout member is Portuguese spinnaker trimmer Nuno Barreto, who previously won a bronze medal in the 470 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and represented Portugal in the Tornado catamaran at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. Barreto has also served on the Desafío Español America’s Cup challenge as an upwind trimmer and participated sporadically in the RC44 class, most recently with the Polish MAG Racing team.
“It’s fantastic to be back and reunite with familiar faces, some of whom are on the same boats,” Barreto remarked. “The teams have been continuously enhancing their performance, making remarkable gains in speed, and honing every detail. For us, managing practice time on the boat has been challenging, but we are committed to improving the minor details. Generally, we are pleased with our speed, but handling the boat around the buoys requires precision; small mistakes can result in significant losses.”
“As a team, we strive for daily improvement. Every regatta offers a learning opportunity. I believe Alfredo is effectively reading the wind to position us well; sailing on a lake presents unique challenges with unpredictable puffs and pressure. My expertise lies more in open waters,” he added.
In an impressive turnaround, Calero Sailing Team is now positioned ahead of Team Aqua in the standings. “That is amazing for us,” Gonzalez reflected. “Our goal is to finish seventh, and we have a solid team to make that happen.”
Calero Sailing Team’s participation in the 44Cup is supported by various sponsors, including the Centros de Arte, Cultura y Turismo de Lanzarote, which comprises seven centers designed by renowned artist César Manrique. These centers seamlessly blend art and nature, reflecting the unique cultural values of Lanzarote.
Additionally, the team is backed by Calero Marinas, which operates marinas in multiple locations across the Canary Islands: Puerto Calero, Marina Lanzarote, Marina La Palma, and their latest addition in Fuerteventura, Marina Jandía.
The team also enjoys support from Calmar Residential Developments, known for designing bespoke luxury villas in Lanzarote, and Turismo Lanzarote, which actively promotes the island as a premier luxury destination for travelers.
For more information about the Calero Sailing Team, visit their official website: calerosailingteam.com.
To learn more about the 44Cup event, visit: www.44cup.org.
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Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.
