The return of the Courrier

by TB Press on 1 Apr 2015 Géry Trentesaux, 56, wore out his first foulies on his father’s boat in a score of RORC races before a not unsuccessful stint racing single-handed on the Figaro circuit and also the Route du Rhum in 2006. However, his preference for crewed competition has stood the test of time thanks to his brilliance and consistency.

In 1999, he competed in the Fastnet on the X-332 Courrier Sud, a name inspired by Saint-Exupéry’s books. Over time, “Courrier” has adorned many of the boats helmed by the manufacturer from northern France and it appears on the winners’ list of all the great classics across France and Europe. Today Géry has lost nothing of his passion for racing and for supporting promising sailors. The 2015 sailing season is set to be a veritable showcase for this passion with no fewer than three “Courriers” out on the racetrack, brimming with ambition.

Courrier Junior

Géry is competing in the Spi Ouest-France Intermarché aboard his J/80 Courrier Junior, the controls of which will be entrusted to Eric Brezellec, a fellow member of the Saint Cast Club (Brittany). Helmsman Eric Brezellec boasts a tremendous track record in J/80 and his main aim this year is the series’ World Championship in Kiel, where he hopes to better his third place in 2013. Unusually, Géry will be trimming the jib, alongside a crew that includes Vincent Biarnes, Figaro sailor and French number two in Match Racing in 2010, and Clément Commagnac, 19, also from the Saint Cast club, who was French Champion Hope in the Open 5.70.

In the RORC championship with a JPK 10.80

Following on from the Spi Ouest, Géry Trentesaux will switch the J/80 for a boat that complies with a new RORC programme, Jean-Pierre Kelbert’s JPK 10.80. With one loaning his boat, the other, Géry, is financing the season and supplying the sail wardrobe. On the menu is the quest for another victory in the RORC championship, the backdrop of which will be coloured by the Rolex Fastnet, which is undoubtedly Géry’s favourite race. The trusty members of the “Courrier” clan will be aboard and even the builder will compete in certain races.

Courrier Choc on the Tour de France à la Voile

Géry Trentesaux was one of the first to acquire a Diam 24, lured by the prospect of competing in a series of adventure challenges with his friend François Lamiot, a master sailmaker and racer. When the trimaran was selected for the Tour de France à la Voile, Géry did a swift U-turn in a bid to ensure his participation. Indeed, together with the Dunkirk team, Jacques Dussart and Daniel Souben, his involvement dates right back to the start of the competition so he fully understands the demanding nature and the amount of training that this marathon race requires. As such he has decided to entrust the multihull to Antoine Carpentier, a loyal member of Courrier and also Courrier Dunkerque.

A highly versatile sailor with a flattering pedigree, Antoine will be supported by two big guns: Pierre-Loïc Berthet and Pierre-Antoine Morvan, they too previous winners of the Tour de France à la Voile. Otherwise engaged, Antoine won’t be aboard for the Spi so, during the Easter festivities, Courrier Choc will be skippered by Figaro sailor Jean-Pierre Nicol with the support of Stéphane Gélain and Pierre-Antoine Morvan. Carpentier, for whom this will be his debut as skipper in a major event, will join his steed some 10 days later in La Baule for the second round of the Diam 24 circuit.

Géry Trentesaux’s track record in brief: winner of three Fastnet Races on Courrier Nord, Courrier du Cœur and Courrier Vintage, three-time yacht of the year (RORC), 40 years competing in the RORC Championship with a first victory in 1984 aboard the Half Tonner Scillonia four, third in the Solitaire du Figaro 1984 and two Rolex Commodore’s Cup in 2002 and 2006…

Courrier du Léon JPK 10.80

1/ Cervantes Trophy 2 May

2/ North Sea Race 15 May

3/ Myth Of Malham 23 May

4/ De Guingand Bowl 5 June

5/ Morgan Cup 19 June

6/ Cowes Dinard 10 July

7/ Régates du Bicentenaire (RYS) 25 – 31 July

8/ Channel Race 1 August

9/ Fastnet Race 16 August

10/ Cherbourg Race 4 September