Normandy Sailing Week - Fair winds and rough seas

by Normandy Sailing Week, translation Kate Jennings on 10 Jun 2012 The atmosphere at Normandy Sailing Week in Le Havre was one of fair winds and rough seas today as the 500 competitors linked together a series of round-the-cans races, on courses laid by the different Race Committees for the IRCs, sportsboats and M34s.

Today is when the Normandy Sailing Week truly began for the many classes involved in the competition. With too much breeze on the racecourse yesterday, the sailors were keen to get going at 0930 local time this morning, which is when the first race starts were scheduled. 15 to 20 knots and a fine swell were synonymous with plenty of slamming today. The IRCs, boats which race in corrected time and are here to contest the UNCL’s Trophée Manche, really put on a show.

This was particularly true for the IRC 2s, where there is an almighty battle at the top of the leaderboard in this Normandy Sailing Week, which made exciting viewing for the many spectators on the water.

The wind eased early in the afternoon, giving way to glorious sunshine. The crews of the high-speed sportsboats were anxious to carry as much sail aloft as possible and, once again, the fantastic following these quick little one-designs have in Upper Normandy is priceless.

Among the M34s, the first leg of the French Crewed Championship, the fourth in the Volvo Drive Race, was really creating a stir with four close-contact courses. The reigning champions on 'Courrier Dunkerque', were definitely on a roll. Daniel Souben and his crew moved up to second place in the provisional overall standing behind the solid leaders from Hyeres in southern France.

'After two tough days, we put up an almost flawless performance today. The crew responded well, which has meant that we’re still in with a chance of a good result in the French Crewed Championship. Sailing is a pretty risky sport so when you hesitate, you can miss out on some good opportunities. Our confidence returned from the opening race today', explained Souben. As for Nicolas Troussel, helmsman on 'Crédit Mutuel – Bretagne', he declared himself to be content with his Saturday of racing. 'It’s interesting. We’re validating our trimming and it’s been a really good day’s sailing.'

The IRCs and Sportsboats are still at sea for a fourth Normandy Sailing Week website