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Second of today's practice race, Team Aqua is ready for a great battle against arch-rival Artemis. The fight promises to be superb!

The fifth regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2009 – the Bank Sarasin RC 44 Portoroz Cup - will take place in Slovenia on September 29 – October 3. Current leaders of the Championship Tour, Chris Bake / Cameron Appleton (Team Aqua) are only two points ahead of Torbjorn Tornqvist / Dean Barker (Artemis). The RC 44 Class welcomes a new Russian team called Katusha skippered by Paul Cayard.

The fight for the podium positions, between Team Aqua, Artemis, BMW ORACLE Racing and No Way back has been fantastic. Showing great stamina, Chris Bake’s squad managed to overcome a backstay breakage to remain in the fight. But Artemis dominated the last race and won the event.

Team No Way Back wins the DHL Trophy whilst Team Aqua shows the most consistency and takes the overall lead ahead of the Dutch. Three boats have been involved in a mark rounding collision and were back sailing in the afternoon after light surgery. Everything remains possible ahead of the last racing day.

With a fifth and a first, the team from the UAE currently leads the ranking ahead of Team Aqua and Ceeref.

Dean Barker (Artemis) and his AC tactician Ray Davies (No Way Back) finish the event on a tie, with five victories and no loss for both. The rules make Barker the winner ahead of Davies. Sébastien Col finishes third on board Ceeref, ahead of Team Aqua.

At the helm of Artemis, the kiwi sailor is unbeaten after three matches. The Swedish boat leads the Series ahead of Team Aqua, No Way Back, Ceeref, Organika, and Puerto Calero.

Current leader of the Championship Tour, Team Aqua is one of the favourites of the RC 44 Malcesine Cup.

The next regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour 2009 will take place in Malcesine, Italy, on July 8-12. It is the third consecutive year that the Class chooses Lake Garda; a mountain lake blessed by a fantastic thermal breeze and surrounded by great scenery. Frank Pong’s new team Jelik, from Hong Kong, joins the Class for the first time.

It went down to the last hurdle between No Way Back, Artemis and Team Aqua, separated by two points only before the ninth and last regatta of the event. No Way Back wins the fleet race ranking – on a tie with Artemis – whilst Team Aqua conquers the overall title thanks to its victory in the match race.