Normandy Sailing Week 2011's thrilling conclusion

by Kate Jennings Expressions on 14 Jun 2011 Normandy Sailing Week 2011 has come to a close and in the port of Le Havre, the boat hoists are beginning their dance. After four days of races in some very varied conditions, today the winners of each series received their prizes in glorious sunshine…
 
There were some undisputed victories in the one-design category. Imperial Courrier Dunkerque after three days of competition and six victories, the crew from northern France were treated to the luxury of not racing the last day, as the top step of the podium was already theirs for the taking.

Behind them, tied on points, Toulon Provence Méditerranée and Bretagne – Crédit Mutuel finished second and third respectively. The local crew, aboard Bred – La Normandie, took fourth place in the overall ranking. The new racing boats for the Tour de France à la Voile really put on a great show throughout the event!

A word from the winner, Pierre-Antoine Morvan aboard Courrier Dunkerque: 'The offshore course was pretty hard physically but we got off to a good start and remained in the leading pack. Under spinnaker we went very fast and it’s thanks to that burst of speed that we got ahead of the others.

To sum up the event, I’d say that in the windward-leeward courses we knew how to make a difference thanks to our manoeuvring and in the coastal courses, speed was our trump card. We’re delighted to win the first event of the French Crewed Offshore Racing Championship. We’ve held the title for three years and we really hope to hang onto it!'
 
Meantime the J80 Paprec Bretagne continued to put up a great performance all the way to the finish to take honours today. With six out of eight races won, they left their rivals no chances. Second place in the ranking was very hotly contended but ultimately it was the Vog crew who bagged it, just a point ahead of the all-female crew on Jaws.

A word from the winner, Sébastien Petithuguenin aboard Paprec Bretagne: 'At the Spi Ouest France, we finished at the bottom of the podium but here at Normandy Sailing Week, we’ve scored a win. We’re really happy. We put up a consistent performance and really enjoyed ourselves in the very varied conditions. We are natives of Le Havre and it’s an absolute delight to win on home waters!'
 

Today saw an indisputable victory go to Arthur Herreman and his crew on the First 7.5. As such they qualify for the French Espoir Crewed Championship, which will be held in Le Havre in August. Pierre Viard took second place ahead of Olivier Gonse.

A word from the winner, Arthur Herreman aboard boat No.1: 'I’m not going to be modest, we won hands down. We were a bit worried at the start of the event as we didn’t know how good our rivals were but we just focused on being more responsive in terms of tactics and manoeuvring. We’re happy to win this Normandy Sailing Week and to earn our place in the French Espoir Crewed Championship!'
 
In the Longtze series the results came as no surprise. Longtze team, which have dominated proceedings since the first day, have taken a win in the overall ranking, with an eight point lead over second placed Rapetous.

A word from the winner, Laurent Berjon aboard Longtze Team: 'It was very interesting to switch race zone each day as we had different wind patterns and different current. It was really hard to hold onto the leadership but we came out well in the end and we were really on our game today!'

In the Laser SB3, the English sailor, world champion 2010, Jerry Hill, won all of today’s races and ultimately earned himself the top spot. Behind him the Breton crew from Côte d’Armor, skippered by Cédric Fleury, finished second, followed by the local Lower Normandy team on Bartabac.

A word from the winner, Jerry Hill aboard Sad Old Blokes: 'We’d never sailed together before. My crew have been friends for many years. A few months ago, we decided to put a team together and come along to Normandy Sailing Week and win! As such it’s a done deal and we’re very happy about it as the ranking was really close. Today we were into the swing of things very quickly which is what set us apart.'
 

The Class 6.50s meantime really kept everyone on tenterhooks in this event. However, thanks to three victories today, the outright win ultimately went to Némo, who finished ahead of MTD Active/Medical and Krapo. A word from the winner, Manu Guedon aboard Némo: 'It was fantastic! We had to battle all the way to the finish to earn ourselves this victory. The last races were decisive but this morning, as we headed out onto the water, we’d very much decided that they were ours for the taking!'
 
Finally, in the Seascape 18, the only English crew of the series earned victory. Gracie, skippered by Peter Wanstall, finished in first place ahead of Atlantiscape and Belisca. A word from the winner: 'We’re thrilled to have come over to the other side of the English Channel to race. It’s made a welcome change!'
 
English domination was undeniable in the IRC 1 category. Quokka 8 ultimately took line honours in this sixth edition of Normandy Sailing Week after a fierce battle against Tokoloshe and Maridadi, which finished second and third respectively. In IRC 2, Mat 1010 skippered by Peter Morton took the rest of the fleet by storm ahead of EMG Happy Hours and Banshee.
 
Meantime, the local Le Havre crew on Foggy Dew scored a win in IRC 3 and Illico.com followed suit in IRC 4. A word from the winner, Peter Rutter aboard Quokka 8 in IRC 1: 'My crew performed very well. I think that’s what made the difference against the crew on Tokoloshe… It was a superb event. It’s the first time we’ve come to race in Le Havre and we’ll be back, that’s for Event website