The 2022 SCYR was the 10th edition, a very important milestone for the most prestigious and well attended classic yacht regatta of Greece. Our classic 5.5mIC LIZZA – now LIZZA FIRST – had a new name sponsor, FIRST MARINE INSURANCE SA. Following the success TEAM EXLence had wining the 8th and 9th edition in 2019 and 2021 respectively, this year we were aiming for the three-peat. However, that was not meant to be.
On a rather strange decision that left many of the competitors puzzled and unhappy, the organizing committee changed the criteria used in previous editions for splitting the participating yachts into classes. As a result, LIZZA FIRST found itself to compete in Class A, ie against the largest yachts of the fleet. Practically that meant longer courses – which makes it physically very demanding – and increased difficulties to defend positions gained.
The weather throughout the weekend was good, but gusty. We were confident that we could be very competitive on upwind and downwind legs but reaching legs would be a problem. They always are, but it becomes a much bigger of a problem when competing against boats with much bigger LOA.
Race No1 was 22nm with a scoring gate between Spetses and Spetsopoula. On the scoring gate LIZZA FISRT was 3rd, only by 9” behind Flamingo. By the end of the race we climbed to a comfortable 2nd.
Race No3 we managed a decent 2nd by a 1’17”.
Race No4 was a 13,8nm race with plenty of reaching – in rather strong winds – and a scoring gate only 3,4nm before the finish. A very unfavorable for us and overall biased race set up, we must admit. We only managed a 4th and a 5th. A very disappointing result for the day.
In all honesty, we were lucky to be on the overall podium on same points with the 4th overall Glaramara.
If winning was easy, everyone would be a winner! After all, being on the podium – even on 3rd – is not a small feast. We did not achieve what we came here for – the three-peat – but we will lick our wounds and come back next year stronger.
RESULTS: