The giants enter centre stage: The Mediterranean!
by A.S.O. / Nice UltiMed 27 Apr 2018 21:12 PDT
25 April - 6 May 2018
This Friday, the three Ultimes competing in the first edition of the Nice UltiMed took the start of the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region Prologue. Non-point-scoring, this inaugural race between Marseille and Nice comprised the very first confrontation between the Ultime trimarans in Mediterranean waters, as well as kicking off the 2018 season for this class of giants. The crews of Yves Le Blévec (Actual-Grand Large Emotion), Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim') and Francis Joyon (IDEC SPORT) sized each other up in the light airs, which required some highly-refined navigation. The three boats are expected into Nice over the course of the night, with the inauguration of the Nice UltiMed Discovery Exhibition tomorrow at 10:00am.
After two excellent exhibition days at the heart of Marseille's Vieux Port, which gathered together scores of enthusiasts and enquiring minds, the sailors competing in the Nice UltiMed were keen to get back out to sea this Friday. Non-point-scoring, the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region Prologue, between Marseille and Nice, is a great opportunity to "get completely dazzled in an unclassifiable and exceptional setting!", explained Thomas Coville, just minutes before casting off. This first confrontation in the Nice UltiMed is also a great way for the crews to get conditioned, find their automatic reflexes again and get back in contact with the Mediterranean playing field, whose beauty and unpredictability need no introduction. "We're happy to be sailing with colleagues again, as it's something we haven't done for nearly a year, since The Bridge (race between Saint Nazaire in France and New York)", Francis Joyon pointed out this morning.
Tactical navigation in light airs
In fact it was IDEC SPORT which was first to cast off, followed a few minutes later by Sodebo Ultim' and Actual-Grand Large Emotion. Seeing three trimarans from the Ultime class leaving the Vieux Port was a real feast for the eyes for the racers, their guests as well as the locals in Marseille. It was at 11:00am sharp that Renaud Muselier, President of the Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, gave the start of the Prologue off the port of Le Roucas, just off the iconic coast road. As forecast, the crews set sail in a light breeze. "Throughout the day, the crews have had to deal with a shifty wind both in terms of strength and direction and the speed of the boats has oscillated between 5 and 15 knots", explains Christophe Gaumont, Race Director of the Nice UltiMed.
Benefiting from the 'lightness' of its steed and very inspired tactically, the crew of Actual-Grand Large Emotion, helmed by Yves Le Blévec, quickly moved to the front of the fleet, stretching away from Sodebo Ultim' and IDEC SPORT. Thomas Coville and Francis Joyon's Ultimes have done a lot of close contact racing today, with just metres between them at times! One of the high points of the day was the Ultimes' passage between the Giens peninsula and the island of Porquerolles. As we go to press, the wind has completely dropped away and tonight's forecast isn't exactly optimistic... As a result, the three competitors still have a fair bit of time at sea and are expected to make Nice over the course of the night.
See you tomorrow in Nice where you can admire the giants and explore the Discovery Exhibition
The inauguration of the Discovery Exhibition, set up along the Promenade des Anglais, will take place tomorrow, Saturday at 10:00am, with all three skippers in attendance. Before or after visiting this major immersive exhibition, the public will have the chance to admire the three giants tied to the nearby dock in Nice harbour.
Programme Saturday 28 April / Nice
09:45am: Inauguration of the Discovery Exhibition – Quai des Etats-Unis
10:30am: Press briefing with the skippers – Discovery Exhibition
07:00pm: Discovery Exhibition closes to the public for the day
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