TOUR DE FRANCE À LA VOILE 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006 -
The competitors of the Tour de France à la Voile couldn't expect better conditions for their entry in the Atlantic. Under a bright full moon, the Mumm30 sailed downwind from Camaret-sur-mer to La Roche Bernard in a bit less than 16 hours. These ideal conditions allowed the race favourites to distinguish themselves from the rest of the fleet. Without any surprise, the seven first boats in the Overall Ranking finished in the seven first positions of this leg. DÉFI PARTAGÉ MARSEILLE won his third victory and is now flying away on his own at the top of the ranking, in front of ILE DE FRANCE, sixth today.
'Our speed was over 12 knots sometimes and for the first time since the race began, we can speed up and we are really enjoying it! said Damien Iehl onboard NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE during the radio interview this morning. The fleet left Camaret-sur-mer last night after 19.00 and crossed the finish line this morning from 11.16 on. The Mumm30 covered this 120 miles course along the coast of South Brittany at an average speed of about 8 knots, without giving their chance to the outsiders. 'The boats were all together after the start and everything changed in the Bay of Audierne. This is where we managed to pass over a few boats, thanks to a good option, said Sébastien Audigane, tactician onboard TOULON PROVENCE MÉDITERRANÉE COYCHYÈRES. Off Quiberon, we were second, but JOE FLY passed us in the last few miles'.
The Italian team of JOE FLY SAILING TEA finished second on this leg and is now starting to threaten the top four in the Overall Ranking. But the high step of the podium is taken by DÉFI PARTAGÉ MARSEILLE. 'This race was all about speed, and we are pretty confident on this point, said the skipper Thierry Bouchard before going into the lock. We fought all night to stay in the lead and even this morning a few feet from the finish, we had to keep an eye in the mirror because the wind was dying'. The team from Marseille are now 16 points ahead of ILE DE FRANCE and 31 points of MATONDO CONGO – Route de l'équateur. 'Many boats can win this Tour de France à la Voile 2006. We are part of them, but it's too early to start speculating. We will see in the Mediterranean'.
After the finish line, the boats had to wait a few hours before going through the lock in Arzal, and reach La Roche Bernard, 3,5 miles up the Vilaine River. Tomorrow, the competitors will only have to race the 'corporate regatta' which doesn't count for the Overall Ranking. Then they will start again on Friday at 10.00 to sail to Port Bourgenay, in Vendée.
Flavie CAULIER
Tour de France à la Voile
29th edition – from june 29th to july 29th 2006
Mumm 30 (9,43m one design)
31 entries (10 pro / 11 amateur / 9 student)
14 stopovers – about 1000 miles along the french coasts
For more informations, go to : www.tourvoile.fr
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