Normandy Sailing Week 2012 dates announced

by Kate Jennings translation on 15 Jun 2011 Normandy Sailing Week 2011 sixth edition was held between 11th and 13th June in Le Havre, France.

Featuring four days of races, 112 participants, 106 yachts ranked, 89 races launched across 11 series, three race zones in a single day, split between four different fleets, harbour courses, one long coastal course around the Baie de Seine and one offshore course for the M34s, things certainly shifted up a gear in the 2011 event!

The event enjoyed some extremely varied weather conditions, ranging from very light airs to a moderate gale involving winds of up to 30 knots during the nocturnal element of the offshore race for the M34s; the first test in real conditions for the new Tour de France à la Voile craft.

Added to this were three big nights on shore in Le Havre’s sailing clubs, which gave all the competitors a chance to get together to enjoy the festivities in a cosmopolitan atmosphere made up of around ten different nationalities, including a strong British contingent.

A firm foothold in Le Havre and a demonstration of the sporting potential of the event were the most striking elements of this 2011 edition.

Honours go to the different winners from each class (see list below) and we extend our sincere gratitude to the teams from the local marina and the sporting organisation, the umpires from the FFVoile (French Sailing Federation) and the volunteers from the clubs in Le Havre (Centre Nautique Paul Vatine (Paul Vatine Watersports Centre) - Société des Régates du Havre (Le Havre Société des Régates) – Sport Nautique et Plaisance du Havre), who were coordinated by the Upper Normandy Sailing League, with the support of the UNCL and the FFVoile.

The event would not have been possible without the support of our media partners (Groupe Presse Normande (Norman Press Group) – France Bleu Haute-Normandie – France 3 Normandie – Voiles et Voiliers – Sport + ) and the economic world, the Official Partners Caisse d’Epargne Normandie and Audi Auto Concept, as well as all the official suppliers.

A 2012 edition already launched
Thanks to renewed commitment from the Town of Le Havre, the event’s major partner, Normandy Sailing Week is already in a position to announce the dates for the 2012 edition, from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 June. The next edition will stick with the traditional formula of a first day dedicated to the M34s, the event again set to be part of the French Crewed Offshore Racing Championship, and 3 days of racing from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 June for all the other series.

After a very restrictive slot in this year’s racing calendar, 2012 has a considerably more favourable outlook with several weeks separating the Le Havre event from the other sailing events of that period (Grand Prix de l’Ecole, Grand Prix du Crouesty and Grand Prix de la Côte d’Opale). Furthermore, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cowes-Deauville race, a joint collaboration between the Royal Ocean Racing Club (R.O.R.C), the Deauville Yacht Club and Normandy Sailing Week will enable crews on the English IRC racer-cruisers to race a comprehensive programme with an offshore race on 1 June (Cowes / Deauville) followed by a few lively days of racing on French waters from Friday 8 June (Normandy Sailing Week).

Great things are expected of 2012 then, with considerable development in prospect for the seventh edition of the great Norman meeting!
Normandy Sailing Week website