The 2020 edition of the SCYR was cancelled due to COVID. With a year of racing inactivity, we were so eager to take part to the 9th (2021) edition of the regatta. Preparing was not easy because the team – amidst COVID – has been focusing on other more important areas of their life. As a result, we had to make one crew change, bringing Chris Kifidis one position back – to main trimming – and having Kynthia Skotida at the foredeck. Kynthia has raced with us in several offshore races with Sinergia 40 – MELX II, but has never raced on LIZZA. So, it was a big question for us all how fast she would adapt on her new role. It proved to be a piece of cake for her!
The weather throughout the weekend was good, we always had enough wind but never too much. When racing classic yachts, heavy winds are always a problem because they stress these old boats too much and you are always in between pushing to go faster or keeping it under control to avoid damages and excessive stressing. We were lucky not to have such issues during this racing weekend, as it was “champagne sailing” throughout.
In the field, race No1 and race No2 were cleared easily, both with comfortable margins. LIZZA proved to be – once more – very fast in the water, under the prevailing mild wind conditions and the moderate chop. The crew – despite of having spent minimum time together – managed to perform well. And a last-minute problem with the rudder, just after the warning signal of race No2, was dealt with very efficiently.
With two bullets in our bag, to secure overall victory on the regatta, on race No3, we only had to start the race and then get LIZZA to pass the finish line. Hence, we had a very conservative approach during the race, not taking unnecessary risks. Despite the above we won this one as well, although with a much smaller margin.
All in all, with a new crew member onboard, we managed to repeat our 2019 achievement and win back-to-back this 9th edition of the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta, with three bullets. Well done TEAM EXLence !!
RESULTS: