Normandy Sailing Week - Day 3

On this third day of competition, two races were run at a brisk pace by the seven M34s competing in this 2014 edition of Normandy Sailing Week. GROUPAMA 34 has held onto her lead in the overall ranking in the M34 category after securing a bullet in the first race of the day. COURRIER DUNKERQUE 3 won the second race and in so doing moves up to second place overall.

A thermal breeze established itself today thanks to the continued fine weather in Normandy. As such, from 1230 GMT a light northerly wind of 12-13 knots punctuated the two races run for the 34-foot one-designs.

The first race got off to a tumultuous start with two individual recalls awarded by the Race Committee for Courrier Dunkerque 3 and BRETAGNE – Crédit Mutuel. Daniel Souben and his crew immediately completed their penalty, a move mirrored by ACEREL – Normandy Elite, despite it not being involved in the incident. In contrast the Breton crew paid no heed to the penalty and continued racing with the intention of protesting the Committee (NB: jury's decision later this evening).

Back at the head of the racetrack it was Groupama 34 skippered by Franck Cammas which, after getting off to a superb start, held firmly onto the lead, masterfully covering the rest of the fleet as far as the finish line. Meantime, Courrier Dunkerque 3 in no way let itself be outdone, selecting a very successful option on the second beat by remaining in the centre of the race zone to finish second ahead of Oman Sail skippered by Sidney Gavignet.

The wind proved to be stable and the second race of the day was run in the same conditions as the first. This time BRETAGNE – Crédit Mutuel got off to the best start but quickly got sprung by some really full-on match racing between Courrier Dunkerque 3 and Groupama 34. However, Daniel Souben (Courrier Dunkerque) and Nicolas Troussel (BRETAGNE – Crédit Mutuel) wisely opted for the right-hand mark at the leeward gate, in contrast with Groupama 34. It was still a close-run battle among the top trio at the dog leg but Nicolas Troussel's crew got the better of Franck Cammas' green boat, finishing second behind Courrier Dunkerque 3, the winner of this second and final race.

Nicolas Troussel (BRETAGNE – Crédit Mutuel): "It was a lovely sunny day and we competed in two great tactical courses! We're very happy with our second race. With the first, we'll have to see what happens as we've lodged a protest with the Race Committee with regards to our start".

Daniel Souben (Courrier Dunkerque 3): "We were second in one race and first in the other so we've moved up into second place overall and we're delighted with our day!"

And now it's time for the whole of the Normandy Sailing Week fleet to take to the water! The J80s, First Class 7.5s and IRCs 1 to 4 are registered, the boats have been craned into the water and the crews are raring to start racing off Le Havre tomorrow. To the great delight of sailors and spectators alike, the weather forecast is set to remain favourable.

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