Regattasegeln 2009 - Regatten Europa

ISTANBUL EUROPA RACE
Übersicht - www.istanbuleuroparace.com

14 September 2009
Cometh the day, cometh the hour.
Time for the final battle of the Istanbul Europa Race.
At 12.08 (local time) as decreed by the sailing instructions the six boat IMOCA Open 60 fleet was released for the final 1900 miles stage from Barcelona to Brest

The plot lines are written now it is time for the action to begin. With three teams level on points the playing field for the finale will in turn be the Straits of Gibraltar, the Bay of Biscay and the Celtic Sea.

One variable is the race committee's choice of course after a gate off Camaret on the Breton peninsula. After that the race direction can send the fleet direct to Brest, or make them loop north passing Wolf Rock or even to the Fastnet.
So there will be no shortage of surprises and challenges on this final leg, keeping up with those which have played out on the preceding two legs of this inaugural Istanbul Europa Race.

Foto: ®Jaques Vapillon

The six crews left the Catalan capital in their wake today. After a welcomed stopover to recover after the stresses of the first two legs, the crews took their leave and set off on the longest stage of this race.
In a wind close to 15 knots and under a stormy, leaden sky the six IMOCA Open 60's bid adieu with one final show before heading off. DCNS was credited with the best start and lead early on. But on the approach to the first mark on the prologue loop, Marc Thiercelin's crew made a small mistake which cost them their first place. Small beer compared with the miles which lie ahead.

Presently there is little to choose between Kito de Pavant on Groupe Bel and Véolia Environnement, Estrella Damm-1876 and Paprec-Virbac 2. DCNS in fifth are ahead of Foncia who took the option to start and stay close to the coast

The six teams have started out on their final descent out of the Mediterranean towards the Straits of Gibraltar, to break out into the Atlantic. By then is seems likely that the weather pattern will be complex, with calm areas and gusty storms under the clouds. The pressure will be intense to use every shift and gust to every advantage.

There are three different courses offered by Jean Maurel, the race director. Common to them all are the start and the finish, and the need to pass the Iberian peninsula to the right to head north towards Brittany. Off Camaret, on the Brittany peninsula there is an obligatory gate after which the crews might head directly to Brest, a total theoretical distance of 1453 miles. Or he may send them to Wolf Rock on a middle distance course of 1668, but if the conditions are favourable the fleet will be routed to the legendary Fastnet Rock, off the south west corner of Ireland and that would be a full course of 1982 miles.

Figarists: key players and reinforcement.
The Figaro class has always been the best springboard to the IMOCA Open 60's. Four leading Figarists are among the Istanbul Europa Race crews. Since the start Gildas Morvan has been a stalwart among Roland Jourdain's team on Veolia Environnement. The French offshore solo racing champion has made his mark on that team. Gildas Mahé is on Foncia at the request of Michel Desjoyeaux. Highly skilled helm, a very committed and enthusiastic crew he has been a key player since Istanbul.

On board Groupe Bel, young François Gabart arrived in Barcelona to help foster a continued improvement, but as well to work with Kito de Pavant who he will partner on the Transat Jacques Vabre. And lastly, fresh from winning the Tour or Brittany, Eric Drouglazet, has joined his good friend Marc Thiercelin. Together they will work with the crew to prove that DCNS can go well in light winds, but an also threaten the leaders when the breeze gets up in the At

They said: Jérémie Beyou - Foncia: "It is great to be in there with a chance. We have made two second places and that was not easy because it the Mediterranean is difficult. You can very easily lose 50 miles, just like that. We made some good calls, but we also made some bad ones. But it is also nice for us to have the suspense as we head for Brest. Three boats equal is great for the interest in the race. We have two strong crews up against us, 1876 and Groupe Bel. And so we do all we can to make sure we are not last of the three into Brest.

Gildas Mahé - Foncia: "I've sailed the last two months solidly on the Figaro Solitaire and and the Tour of Brittany, on the helm of Banque Populaire and so I've been out there on the Bay of Biscay quite a bit recently. By moving into a different sea from the Med, you hope the conditions will change for these boats. We get into our ‘back yard' and hope that the local knowledge will play in our favour. I will indexly steer on Foncia and Michel and Jeremie take care of the navigation.”

François Gabart – Groupe Bel "It's a long time since I sailed on Groupe Bel. I've just arrived from the Tour of Brittany and so the turnround to this race is quick, but nice. I am here really to help prepare to sail with Kito on the Jacques Vabre and to bring a little fresh spirit to the team. It should be a good battle and for sure, there will not be three boats even when we get to Brest and the finish.”

Eric Drouglazet - DCNS: "Marc Thiercelin is my mate for the last thirty years. We speak on the phone all the time. I've been following the race in the press and on the internet and it seems like any small losses quickly become big ones. It will be important to be well placed on the leg to Gibraltar before we break into the stronger winds, but there will be Portuguese trade winds which could be interesting to negotiate. I'm really delighted to take part in this race because I know the organizer Cumali Varer well from the Cap Istanbul race. I don't have that much practice on the Open 60's but I'm waiting to helm a lot and to do the weather with Christopher Pratt. We should be able to do something in the Atlantic.

Jean-Pierre Dick - Paprec-Virbac 2: "The idea is to find the westerly wind close to Gibraltar, but before that we expect some small depressions with unstable winds. It'll be vital then to use these favourable winds but not to stray too close to the Spanish coast. After Gibraltar we should be on the wind most of the way to Cape Finisterre. It will be good sport for sure.”

Roland Jourdain - Veolia Environnement: "We all have the sword of Damocles hanging over us on between Barcelona and Gibraltar: but we don't really know what the outcome will be on that stage. Will there be a re-start in the Atlantic. Who can tell?”