Tagesberichte siehe Menu unten
The Normandy Channel Race course
Competitors in the Normandy Channel Race will have to cover 1,000 miles, with the course starting out from and finishing in Caen. The event’s course boasts an attractive format, which appeals to a great many skippers, though it is both demanding and complicated. From tomorrow, the Normandy Channel Race fleet will be confronted by a ridge of high pressure synonymous with little wind. The race is set to kick-off at 1700 hours local time after the much-awaited parade between Caen and Ouistreham.
Sailing in the English Channel has never been a picnic. The strong current, the frequently messy seas and the potential effects of the steep Norman coast are all genuine obstacles at the start. Following on from that the negotiation of the shipping lanes can prove tricky given the high number of cargos ships, ferries and fishing boats. Initially competitors will make for the Saint Marcouf Islands, the first compulsory passage mark in the Normandy Channel Race. From Sunday at 1700 hours, competitors will have a number of decisions to make according to the current and they must be sure not to miss the first tidal gate as the toll could be a hefty one. This is a tricky section then and the leaders may well steal a march in the standing or during the first position reports of the competition.
Mid-channel the coast is no longer an issue but keeping a good lookout will be essential as collisions are a very real threat. Approaching the South coast of England, some new options may well take shape, again according to the state of the tide and the wind of course. Getting around the Isle of Wight and the arrival in the Solent is an absolute classic of a course and one often loved and loathed by sailors. There are frequently a few surprises in store offshore. ‘Pebble-hopping’ down the coast, there will probably be some separation between the competitors by this stage, with some in contact with each other and others opting to head off on a flyer, making this a crucial section of the Normandy Channel Race.
The entry into the Celtic Sea will see a change of configuration with choppier conditions and sights on Tuskar Rock initially. The duos will be in full race mode by this point: no more seasickness, into their watch systems, perfecting their sail trimming and focusing on the digital charts.
The legendary Fastnet Rock will mark the final turning point, downwind, upwind or on a reach according to the direction of the wind as they set a course for Guernsey, the Raz Blanchard and finally Cherbourg and the Cotentin headland. The winners are expected to cross the finish line the following Friday to Sunday.
Quotes from the boats:
Ned Collier Wakefield “Concise”: "Previous editions of the NCR have shown it to be an incredibly competitive race. This year, with 23 top-level entries the bar is going to be raised even higher. The faster 3rd generation 40's should keep us on our toes so we will have to sail a tactical race to stay with them. The middle third of the course is a slightly extended Fastnet race so we are hoping our home waters will give us a few gains over our competitors."
Eric Péron, co-skipper of the Class 40 “Talanta”: “Tomorrow I’ll be taking the start of my second Normandy Channel Race with Jean Galfione. We’re ready to go despite arriving late in Caen. We’re not going to have a lot of wind, at least as far as Ireland, because a ridge of high pressure is barring our way. It will move into position tomorrow. However, we’ll benefit from a light breeze, which will enable us to make headway, assisted by a few thermal breezes along the English coast. From Thursday a depression will begin to move in. I’m hoping it’ll push us towards Guernsey. For tomorrow, virtually from the start we’ll be punching the tide and there will already be some play in a north-westerly and then a westerly breeze. In some way the Normandy Channel Race is like a long Solitaire du Figaro leg, only this time double-handed”.
Marc Lepesqueux, skipper of the Class 40 “Les Conquérants – Caen La Mer”: “Our yacht is pretty much at ease in the light airs. This Normandy Channel Race will initially be run in little wind. It’s possible that from tomorrow evening, we’ll be compelled to anchor as there are strong currents. The rocks of the Calvados region, then the rocks of the Grand Caen will both precede the Saint Marcouf Islands, which will be an important passage mark with a risk of running aground.”
Nicolas Boidevézi, co-skipper of the Class 40 “Mare”: “The weather situation is forecast to be a little better than yesterday, but we’re not going to have much wind. Strategy will take the upper hand over pure speed. The crunch will come with our position on the water according to the effects of the site, the breeze and the tides.”
Sylvie Viant, Race Director: “If the wind is too light, it’s possible that Race Management will take the decision to reduce or alter the course when the Class 40s reach Plymouth. For example we may ask competitors not to go to Tuskar Rock and to head straight for Fastnet instead”.
Halvard Mabire, skipper of the Class 40 “Campagne de France”:
“The phenomenon of the currents and tides may create some large tricky sections, not to mention the fishing pots and sandbanks. You have to tackle this race across the English Channel with determination as well as humility. You need speed, but you also have to be intelligent, because in addition to an ultra fine analysis of the weather comes surveillance of the competition at all times. You have to know who to control, at the risk of letting some other rascal reap the benefits… a little reminiscent of the Figaro ambience. It will be thrilling in any case, together with the stress and fatigue. We’re certainly familiar with the course, but we’ve raced it on a lot of different craft and in a number of cases it will be wise to remember how different the draught is on a Class 40 compared with an IRC boat. It’s a wise man who can predict the winner today.”
One day, one crew
Catherine Pourre is a business manager in her working life. A driving force on the yachting scene, she only recently got into competitive sailing, initially in IRC and now aboard the winning Class 40 in the Route du Rhum 2010. In the Normandy Channel Race she’s teaming up with Goulven Royer, a professional yachtsman from La Trinité sur Mer and a specialist corrected time racer. He notably took a win in the Course des Trois Iles 2012 and the Record SNSM 2010 in IRC; a class measurement which is cherished by both the UNCL and the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Points to recall about the Normandy Channel Race:
>> 15 Class 40s, two sailors per boat, such as the duos Rogues – Vittet, Mabire – Merron, Riechers – Boidevezi…
>> Start and finish in Caen
>> 1,000 miles via the Saint-Marcouf Islands, the Isle of Wight, Tuskar Rock and Fastnet, Guernsey
>> 10 nationalities
>> Thomas Ruyant and Tanguy Leglatin, Tanguy de Lamotte and Sébastien Audigane won the last editions
Press information:
>> Track progress in the Normandy Channel Race at www.normandy-race.com
>> Become a friend on the Normandy channel race Facebook page
>> twitter@normandyrace2012
>> Rights free photos for the press and web
>> Press room with Wifi at the Pavillon de Normandie from Wednesday 29 August
>> Embarkation possible for the press on request during the start and finish of the Normandy Channel Race
>> Radio link-ups with the sailors open to the public everyday during racing from 1200 to 1400 hours at the Pavillon de Normandie
Reminder of the programme:
- Arrival of the Class 40s by Wednesday 29 August at the latest in Bassin St Pierre.
The public can visit the Belem: Friday 31 August from 1000 to 1800 hours (final tour starts at 1730 hours), Saturday 1 September from 1000 hours to 1800 hours (final tour starts at 1730 hours), Sunday 2 September at Ouistreham from 1530 to 1830 hours (final tour starts at 1800 hours)
- Opening of the ‘entertainment’ village for the Normandy Channel Race on Thursday 30 August at noon in the community marquee
- Thursday 30 August / Sunday 2 September: opening of the Caen race village in the town centre, Bassin St Pierre, with a wealth of entertainment and some 20,000 visitors in 2011.
- Presence of the three-master BELEM over the 4-day event, along with the VULCAIN, which belongs to the French Navy, partner to the event.
- Sunday 2 September: 1230 / 1400 hours fleet parade along the canal from Caen to the sea.
- Arrival of the fleet from 1400 hours at Ouistreham’s index lock.
- Race start off Hermanville at 1700 hours local time, harbour course.
- Offshore race from Sunday 2 to Friday 7 / Saturday 8 September according to the weather forecast
- The boats head upriver to Caen where they will join in with the PRESQU’ILE EN FETE celebrations, prize-giving on Sunday 9 at 1800 hours.
Partners to the Normandy Channel Race: the city of Caen, the Lower Normandy regional council, the departmental council for the Calvados region, the Caen La Mer conglomeration and the Caen Normandie Chamber of Commerce.
Translated by Kate Jennings – Expression
|
