Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

2022 New Caledonia Groupama Race, Day 6: Eye Candy slips in under the radar

by Nic Douglass 24 Jun 2022 04:36 PDT 19-25 June 2022
Eye Candy approaches the finish - 2022 New Caledonia Groupama Race, Day 6 © Nic Douglass @sailorgirlHQ

First Caledonian in real time, Eye Candy, were pushed along by their rivals, Guilty Pleasures and Poulpito, also Sydney 38's.

They passed Kalolo, a catamaran, who had been the leading Caledonian for the majority of the race, in the final nautical miles of the 654 mile challenge.

Now the crew of Thierry Leseigneur will also win on corrected time, flying under the radar of both Axians Untouchable and BCI Brer Fox, who each had turns at the top of the leaderboard for the majority of the race.

19 crews are now home.

The Optic Discount-Clockwork double crew commented, "the sea reminded us of the three golden rules of the Groupama Race: it's a race that requires preparation, it never goes as planned, and on the west coast, pull ashore," said Patrick Baldi, the skipper.

An IRC ranking that honours the Sydney 38

After many twists and turns, it was finally the three Sydney 38s who won this edition of the New Caledonia Groupama Race on corrected time: provisional first place for Eye Candy, followed by Guilty Pleasures - Speed Marine and Poulpito MLS - FCD. A podium snatched from their pursuers; Axians - Untouchable and BCI - Brer Fox, who battled for the lead for much of the race. After a constant battle, the weaker weather conditions over the past twenty-four hours.

Christophe Gallien, skipper of Axians - Untouchable, recognizes that there is disappointment in the air: "We are disappointed because we were very well placed, we had a great regatta, but the wind was capricious". The podium isn't everything, and the crew has a broad smile: "It's above all a magnificent human adventure, with five golden guys! I'm leaving tomorrow without hesitation! jokes Dorothée Gouyer, team member of Axians - Untouchable, who has just arrived.

One of the boats who has arrived since the winners is the all female crew:

Défi Des Filles arrival in Port Moselle:

Earlier in the night, the Blade Runner crew announced their retirement following rudder damage. Safe at the Koumac marina, Damien Meunier and Thierry Robert, prioritised their safety and that of potential rescuers, making the incredibly tough decision to not finish.

The final boat still racing, Cipango, the only boat in the Cruising Division, is expected to finish in the early hours of tomorrow morning ahead of the celebration and prize-giving at the Chateau Royal Sunday evening at 1800.

The protest that was lodged by the Race Committee against Antipodes regarding Sailing Instruction 15.5 was heard yesterday. The protest was dismissed.

Current positions

Overall Line Honours and Multihull Line Honours Winner: Rushour
Monohull Line Honours Winner: Antipodes
Double-handed Line Honours: Motor Boat II
IRC - Eye Candy, Guilty Pleasure - Speed Marine, Poulpito MLS FCD, Axians Untouchable, BCI Brer Fox
Double-Handed IRC: Tosot Climitisation Ketal, Motor Boat II, Clockwork
ORC - Eye Candy, Guilty Pleasure - Speed Marine, Poulpito MLS FCD, Axians Untouchable, BCI Brer Fox
Multi 2000 - Rushour, Kalolo, Oceans Tribute

Live coverage:

Tracking is available at yb.tl/ncgr2022

Related Articles

Dylan Fletcher previews Portsmouth
Fletcher says SailGP's Portsmouth debut offers the team the chance to 'right the wrongs'. With just a week to go until SailGP's return to Great Britain, we sit down with Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher to discuss the opportunities and pressures of a home event. Posted today at 8:57 am
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted today at 2:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted today at 12:11 am
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion. Posted on 11 Jul
Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people. Posted on 11 Jul
101st Bayview Mackinac Race starts on Saturday
A massive fleet of 183 monohulls and 9 multihulls will set off to race entire length of Lake Huron It is one day to go, and the fleet is assembled in Port Huron before the start of the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race, organized by the Bayview Yacht Club and presented by National Fleet Services. Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda. Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles. Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 11 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted on 11 Jul
C-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOMRooster 2025Lloyd Stevenson - AC INEOS 1456x180px BOTTOM