MOD70 European Tour - Spindrift Racing takes third in Leg 3

by Spindrift Racing on 19 Sep 2012 In the MOD70 European Tour, Spindrift racing came into Cascaïs late this afternoon in the third place spot after a tiring and a bit monotonous 213 mile race up and down the Portuguese coast. Considering how fast his opponents learn how to handle their big one design trimaran, and how hard it has been to save this third place, Guichard and his five man crew focus tonight on the good points rather than on the bad side of the day.

'Foncia took an early lead thanks to their offshore route, while all the boats stuck to the coast' explains Yann. 'They got away clean and there was not a thing we could do about it.'

Foncia regains the lead in the overall provisionnal ranking, but by a small margin, while Spindrift racing’s closest opponents drop 24 points behind. An interesting margin that provides Guichard and his men with the opportunity to concentrate from now on on Foncia.

Leg 4 from Cascaïs to Marseille will provide plenty of chances for great sailing and a worl of opportunities. Strategy and clean sailing are the mottos onboard Spindrift racing. Exhaustion and a frustrating light breeze race are soon forgotten. Jacques Guichard, Yann Eliès, Pascal Bidégorry, Kévin Escoffier and Jean-Baptiste Levaillant will spend most of tomorrow’s day resting and working on the boat’s peripheric features, mostly sails and rigs put to great rigor in light air sailing. 'Our motivation is as strong as ever, and the spirit on board is fantastic !'

Spindrift racing crew for the Around Portugal Race: Yann Guichard, Jacques Guichard, Pascal Bidégorry, Yann Eliès, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant, Kévin Escoffier

MOD70 European Tour Provisionnal ranking:

(Kiel City Race + First leg with bonus + Dùn Laoghaire City Races + Second leg with bonus + Cascais City Races + Third leg with bonus)

1- Foncia (Michel Desjoyeaux) 12+53+10+46+8+50 = 179 points
2- Spindrift racing (Yann Guichard) 11+47+12+52+11+42 = 175 points
3-Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse) 10+44+11+41+10+34 = 150 points
4- Race for Water (Stève Ravussin) 8+38+9+35+9+46 = 145 points
5- Musandam-Oman Sail (Sidney Gavignet) 9+34+8+42+12+38 = 143 points
Spindrift Racing website