Cartagena, field of dreams?

The deep waters and the high surrounding cliffs which border the race course set 

the scene for a very special and tricky race area for the fourth Audi MedCup Circuit 

of the season, and it is a very different panorama from the usual Mediterranean 

backdrop.

While the high, rocky cliffs are immediately apparent it is what is below the surface which can play an important 

influence. Even very close in to the shore the waters are over 50 metres deep.

“Usually we are working on a plateau of around 90 metres deep, but if it blows strongly we have to move 

more offshore and it can be over 100 metres deep.” Explains Ariane Mainmare of the Race Committee.

 “ And also it requires more skill from the mark layers here to make sure the turning buoys are laid 

accurately, and in general terms we have to just be sure we give ourselves more time to lay and 

lift marks and get our anchor up and down.”

The waves and sea-state is very much dictated by the depth of water and the influence of the high cliffs. 

Some of last season’s most exciting images were created off Cartagena last season when the 

SW’ly winds blew resolutely to over 20 knots and the bouncy, steep seas allowed surfing but also saw 

theTP52 Series and GP42 Series boats ploughing through the liquid mountain range. Waves of up 

to two metres are common in this direction which is directly open to a long, exposed reach until the 

waves crash on the high, bluff crags.

But it is not all brisk SW’ly winds in Cartagena in August. The thermal sea breeze is usually SE’ly 

but it can also be channelled by the topography, the long flat lands which lie to the NE at the back of 

the port.

So far none of the weather experts are predicting the Eolo wind this week. Most consider that the top end 

of 11-12 knots will be more usual. Adopted local Gabriel de Llano (ESP) sails on Bribón (ESP) rounds 

up the most common weather features:

“The waters are very deep and if it is blowing hard the marks can be set in more than 100 metres of water 

and if it blows like this over a few days then the seas can build and build, bouncing back off the cliff, 

creating a very confused, difficult sea.” He says.

Paul Cayard (USA), skipper-helm on Artemis (SWE), says: “This venue can be pretty tricky, shifty. 

There are a lot of pressure differences. I have raced here twice before and had two different conditions. 

Two years ago it was very light and last year it was windy, we can get anything. At the moment it is shaping 

up to be pretty light to start.”
For the moment the meteorologists seem to be ruling out strong winds,  but as always in sailing never 

say never.