17.06.2012
D35 - Bol d'Or - Genf
Over 300 boats were on the starting line off the Societe Nautique de
Geneve at 1000 yesterday for the 74th edition of the Bol d'Or. It was a
sunny day with Mont Blanc clearly visible, but there was little wind
for the start. Artemis Racing was participating again this year with
Torbjorn Tornqvist at the helm.
We were literally drifting at the start, but fortunately the fleet was
divided over three starting lines.
The breeze was light all the way up to the East end of the lake making
the 42 nautical mile journey take over seven hours for the fastest
boats...the D35s and the M2s catamarans. The stops and starts are too
numerous to recall. The lead changed countless times as boats 100
meters apart often had wind from the opposite direction.
Our route East took us past Versoix, Rolle, Nyon, Lausanne, Evian and
Montreux to La Bouveret. The green hills rolling down to the lake with
snow capped mountains in the background provide a dramatic setting for
sure. But it was slow going, at times we were just drifting wondering
which mountain the next breath of air would descend from.
Artemis rounded the half way point at 1745, last of the D35s.
Immediately after turning the "barge" at Le Bouveret, we made a B-line
for the Northern shore along with Alinghi and Lady Cat. We managed to
pass two boats with that move although it seemed like we might have
gotten more out of it initially as the fleet in the middle of the lake
was parked as we reached along at 15 knots.
As we headed west toward the finish in Geneva, we met the Southwesterly
breeze which had been in place all day in the "Petit Lac". That is the
Western third of the lake. So, as things settled down with the wind,
the fleet made good progress and not much changed in the positions.
At the finish, the kids on Realstone edged out a well sailed Julius Bar
by just seven minutes, for the win. Zen completed the podium. Artemis
Racing finished at 22:05 in 7th place, bettering last years position by
three places. It was a long day! As Torbjorn said at the finish, we
found a few more of the bad spots on the track. It seems that winning a
Bol d'Or might be a project that takes time as experience on the many
twists and turns of the lake counts!
Back to VLC right now. Wishing all fathers a great day of being
pampered by your family!
Paul
©Chris Schmid/Eye Image
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