World O'pen Cup - Five countries racing in the trade winds

by Benoit Tréguilly on 8 Jan 2011 World O’pen Cup and 34 young racers from five countries came together at Trois Ilets on the island of Martinique for the third World O’pen Cup from from the 27th to the 30th December.

A total of 13 races were run in exceptionally beautiful weather conditions. Water and air temperature of 28°, and a steady wind blowing between force 3 and 5 must have made everyone stuck back in glacial Europe jealous enough! In fact, 12 other competitors didn’t make the trip, flights cancelled following the big snowfalls just beforehand accross northern Europe.

After a 2009 World O’pen Cup dominated by Dutch racers, this year it was a young french rider from La Trinite, Brice Iriex, who played the part of the Flying Frenchie, taking 9 race wins in the Under 15 category. He also won the Scratch ranking. With an excellent tactical sense and showing great speed in all conditions, he left not the slightest opening for his competitors, whether on slalom, «Banana», or open cross courses including a capsize and 360°.

He lost just two races to Vianney Bergot (Fra), 2009 runner-up, one to Simon Jestin (Fra), and the first of the adventure races to Hug Stubler (Fra). Simon and Vianney in fact battled it out all the way to the very last round for the second podium place, eventually claimed by Simon.

In the Under 12 class, America and Holland headed the leader board. Thom Lugthart (Hol) and Geronimo Nores (USA) - third and fourth in the 2009 event - had themselves a gripping contest, exchanging first and second places with each successive round. Geronimo ran outwinner by virtue of his run of five consecutive first places in the second half of the competition. In the girls’ event, first place was battled out between Zelie Alerte (Fra), from Martinique, and Sterenn Remy (Fra), who finally wins the event. Eulalie Delas(Fra) comes third.

This has certainly been the best event in O’pen BIC history. The magnificent setting ofthe bay at Fort de France, the permanent sunshine, the strong steady winds that blew all through the competition were essential ingredients for that. But the big success of this World O’pen Cup has been the superb work by the organisers, leaving competitors and those accompanying them with some unforgettable moments to savour.

On land, the brilliant evenings at the impressive Golf Club and Hotel Carayou, and the beach lunches at the Hotel Bamboo will live long in the memory. On the water, the race crew showed themselves to be super efficient, pleasant and helpful to all the youngsters.The race committee alternated classic course layouts with more innovative ones to help all the racers show their talent.

The races were run without breaks, with protests handled on the water by the watchful race jury. Result: this World O’pen Cup went off with the greatest possible respect for the O’pen BIC fair play and fun spirit to ensure the best possible conditions and enjoyment for all.

Overall podium
1. Brice Iriex (Fra) ; 2. Vianney Bergot (Fra) ; 3. Simon Jestin (Fra)…

Under 12’ podium
1. Geronimo Nores (USA) ; 2. Thom Lugthart (Hol) ; 3. Juan Cruz Nores (USA)…

Under 15’ podium
1. Brice Iriex (Fra) ; 2. Simon Jestin (Fra) ; 3. Vianney Bergot (Fra)…

Girls podium
1. Sterenn Remy (Fra) ; 2. Zelie Alerte (Fra) ; 3. Eulalie Delas (Fra)…

Open podium
1. Eulalie Deias (Fra) ; 2. Jimmy Merine (Fra) ; 3. Benjamin Daunar (Fra)...

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