Sirius Événements – Press release No.9 – 13 June 2011
Cheers!
In the port of Le Havre, the boat hoists are beginning their dance. The 6th
edition of Normandy Sailing Week has reached and end. After four days of
races in some very varied conditions, today the winners of each series
received their prizes in glorious sunshine…
Undisputed victories in the one-design category
Imperial Courrier Dunkerque! After three days of competition and six
victories, the crew from northern France treated themselves to the luxury of
not racing the last day, as the top step of the podium was already theirs
for the taking. Behind them, tied on points, Toulon Provence Méditerranée
and Bretagne – Crédit Mutuel finished second and third respectively. The
local crew, aboard Bred – La Normandie, took fourth place in the overall
ranking. The new racing boats for the Tour de France à la Voile really put
on a great show throughout the event!
A word from the winner, Pierre-Antoine Morvan aboard Courrier Dunkerque:
“The offshore course was pretty hard physically but we got off to a good
start and reindexed in the leading pack. Under spinnaker we went very fast
and it’s thanks to that burst of speed that we got ahead of the others. To
sum up the event, I’d say that in the windward-leeward courses we knew how
to make a difference thanks to our manoeuvring and in the coastal courses,
speed was our trump card. We’re delighted to win the first event of the
French Crewed Offshore Racing Championship. We’ve held the title for 3 years
and we really hope to hang onto it!”
Meantime the J80 Paprec Bretagne continued to put up a great performance all
the way to the finish to take honours today. With six out of eight races
won, they left their rivals no chances. Second place in the ranking was very
hotly contended but ultimately it was the Vog crew who bagged it, just a
point ahead of the all-female crew on Jaws.
A word from the winner, Sébastien Petithuguenin aboard Paprec Bretagne: “At
the Spi Ouest France, we finished at the bottom of the podium but here at
Normandy Sailing Week, we’ve scored a win. We’re really happy. We put up a
consistent performance and really enjoyed ourselves in the very varied
conditions. We are natives of Le Havre and it’s an absolute delight to win
on home waters!”
Today saw an indisputable victory go to Arthur Herreman and his crew on the
First 7.5. As such they qualify for the French Espoir Crewed Championship,
which will be held in Le Havre in August. Pierre Viard took second place
ahead of Olivier Gonse.
A word from the winner, Arthur Herreman aboard boat No.1: “I’m not going to
be modest, we won hands down. We were a bit worried at the start of the
event as we didn’t know how good our rivals were but we just focused on
being more responsive in terms of tactics and manoeuvring. We’re happy to
win this Normandy Sailing Week and to earn our place in the French Espoir
Crewed Championship!”
2 English and 2 Frenchies in the Sportsboat category
In the Longtze series the results came as no surprise. Longtze team, which
have dominated proceedings since the first day, have taken a win in the
overall ranking, with an eight point lead over second placed Rapetous.
A word from the winner, Laurent Berjon aboard Longtze Team: “It was very
interesting to switch race zone each day as we had different wind patterns
and different current. It was really hard to hold onto the leadership but we
came out well in the end and we were really on our game today!”
In the Laser SB3, the English sailor, world champion 2010, Jerry Hill, won
all of today’s races and ultimately earned himself the top spot. Behind him
the Breton crew from Côte d’Armor, skippered by Cédric Fleury, finished
second, followed by the local Lower Normandy team on Bartabac.
A word from the winner, Jerry Hill aboard Sad Old Blokes: “We’d never sailed
together before. My crew have been friends for many years. A few months ago,
we decided to put a team together and come along to Normandy Sailing Week
and win! As such it’s a done deal and we’re very happy about it as the
ranking was really close. Today we were into the swing of things very
quickly which is what set us apart.”
The Class 6.50s meantime really kept everyone on tenterhooks in this event.
However, thanks to three victories today, the outright win ultimately went
to Némo, who finished ahead of MTD Active/Medical and Krapo.
A word from the winner, Manu Guedon aboard Némo: “It was fantastic! We had
to battle all the way to the finish to earn ourselves this victory. The last
races were decisive but this morning, as we headed out onto the water, we’d
very much decided that they were ours for the taking!”
Finally, in the Seascape 18, the only English crew of the series earned
victory. Gracie, skippered by Peter Wanstall, finished in first place ahead
of Atlantiscape and Belisca.
A word from the winner: “We’re thrilled to have come over to the other side
of the English Channel to race. It’s made a welcome change!”
IRC one day…
English domination was undeniable in the IRC 1 category. Quokka 8 ultimately
took line honours in this 6th edition of Normandy Sailing Week after a
fierce battle against Tokoloshe and Maridadi, which finished second and
third respectively.
In IRC 2, Mat 1010 skippered by Peter Morton took the rest of the fleet by
storm ahead of EMG Happy Hours and Banshee.
Meantime, the local Le Havre crew on Foggy Dew scored a win in IRC 3 and
Illico.com followed suit in IRC 4.
A word from the winner, Peter Rutter aboard Quokka 8 in IRC 1: “My crew
performed very well. I think that’s what made the difference against the
crew on Tokoloshe… It was a superb event. It’s the first time we’ve come to
race in Le Havre and we’ll be back, that’s for sure!”
Info, results, photos and videos at: www.normandy-week.com
Join Normandy Sailing Week on Facebook
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
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