Youth Foiling Gold Cup Act 2 in La Grande-Motte, France - Day 4
by 69F Sailing 11 May 2023 10:49 PDT
8-14 May 2023
Youth Foiling Gold Cup Act 2 in La Grande-Motte, France - Day 4 © Didier Hillaire
After the cancellation of racing Wednesday because of strong winds the 12 international crews at the 69F Youth Foiling Gold Cup returned to the race arena off La Grande Motte today and contested nine races in near perfect conditions: 12/18 knots west-northwesterly breeze, flat seas and sunshine.
A more definitive ranking order is beginning to take shape in the general classification as the end of qualifying is due Friday and so the main objective is to be in the top six to make it into the weekend's Finals
With two wins and a series of podiums, the three crew members of Italy's Luna Rossa PIranha have taken the lead by just one point. That pleases Margherita Porro who is on the helm of the young Italian crew, celebrating her 24th birthday today: "We're happy because this was a long day, a bit hard, but we managed to do well. get out of it! This is my first regatta in a 69F. The format, the boat, the fact that it's mixed, it's great, I really like it. We are still in a selection process for the Youth America's Cup with Luna Rossa (the Italian campaign for the 37th America's Cup). We do not yet know who will be chosen and this Grande Motte event is part of the trials".
The same is true for the French side for the Team France Jeune crew that is also discovering the boat during this Act 2. The French are currently 4th, 5 points behind the leaders. "The wind was a bit complicated and irregular today. We had to adapt but we are satisfied with what we produced. We did a lot of races in the middle of the table. But it's very good after only 3 days of sailing so far on the boat. The crew gets along well, we work well, progress is rapid!" said Titouan Petard.
All the teams are already keeping a close eye on the classification, with the objective of a seat in the top 6, a guarantee of place in the final on Saturday and Sunday. "The main thing is to be in this group" confirms Clément Cron, the skipper of Groupe Atlantic who knows the format of these regattas well.
Tomorrow, Friday, is the last day of the qualifying phases. The tussles should intensify while the weather that will be more uncertain: irregular wind and thundery spells.
Provisional classification of the first six after 16 rounds:
1- Luna Rossa - Piranha, 39.5pts
2- Rum Runners, 38pts
3- Groupe Atlantic Sailing Team, 37pts
4- Team France, 34pts
5- Luna Rossa - Swordfish, 31pts
6- Team JAJO - DutchSail, 29pts
7- Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team, 23pts
8- Normandy Inshore Program, 21.5pts
9- Enzedder Racing, 16.5pts
10- HRM Racing Youth Team, 14pts
11- Volaire, 10.5pts
12- BYC - Foiling Team, 7.5pts
Detail of the results here
Today's winners
Race 8: Luna Rossa Swordfish (ITA)
Race 9: Groupe Atlantic (FRA)
Race 10: Luna Rossa Piranha (ITA)
Race 11: Rum Runners (Antigua)
Race 12: Luna Rossa Swordfish (ITA)
Race 13: HRM Racing Youth Team (POL)
Race 14: Groupe Atlantic (FRA)
Race 15: Luna Rossa Piranha (ITA)
Race 16: Normandie Youth Team (FRA)