Sails of Change 8 finish first in TF35 Trophy second overall in Bol d'Or du Leman

Sails of Change 8 finish first in TF35 Trophy second overall in Bol d'Or du Leman © Polaryse - Sails of Change

After fifteen and a half hours of racing featuring multiple lead changes, Yann Guichard and the crew of the TF35 Sails of Change 8 won the TF35 Trophy race and took a very narrow second place in the annual classic long distance race on Lake Geneva, the Bol d'Or du Leman.

After leading for a big part of the race Sails of Change 8 finished just over four minutes behind overall winner Realteam, a matter of only a few hundred metres in the very light conditions during the small hours of Sunday morning. Guichard and crew showed remarkable skill and focus during long, long hours of glassy, calm conditions over what proved to be a slow race.

Winner of the prestigious marathon last year with the same team on the same boat, Guichard observed, "I think it is always the same when you finish second, you are a bit disappointed especially as we were ahead for a big part of the race and after that we were really head-to-head with Realteam and ZEN Too. Winning the Bol d'Or is always one of the objectives. But that's also the beauty of the Bol d'Or du Leman: it's a race in which nothing is ever certain, where everything can change at any moment. Congratulations to Realteam for their victory and to ZEN Too we had a great race with them."

He recalls, "The start was a great sight with 404 boats on the water, it is always so impressive, a beautiful image. After that there was some great moments, finishing at night with the team is always special."

Sails of Change 8 lead most parts of the race

Yann Guichard took an excellent start with a good breeze which allowed the TF35s to escape out of the Petit-Lac in an hour. After just under seven hours of racing Sails of Change 8 rounded the half-way mark on second position at Le Bouveret at the very top of the lake, followed by ZEN Too a minute behind. Sails of Change 8 and ZEN Too worked the French coast. The wind then died for the leaders and came in from astern which allowed the chasing boats to make a sizeable comeback. At Versoix, Sails of Change 8 had lost the lead in the very last stretch of the race to Realteam, crossing four minutes after the leader and eight minutes ahead of Zen Too.

Sails of Change 10 third in Foiler 1 Division

It was a more frustrating race in the end for Yvan Ravussin and the crew of Sails of Change 10. They made a good start and were well placed in the middle of the race, but fell foul of the big calms and changes of wind direction. They finished third in the Foiler 1 division, 15th in the Bol d'Or du Leman and sixth in the TF35 Trophy, the crew showed great determination and stamina until the finish line which they crossed after 17hrs and 23 minutes of racing.

Ravussin said "We did our best and never gave up and that's why we are a bit frustrated because we we were really focused but of course you make small mistakes. I had a great time with the team and it was great and they were all very helpful which is what I will remember. Quite honestly I had a lot of fun even if it's a little frustrating when it comes to the results but it's all relative; it is only a race, it's only a game. But it is a pleasure to take the helm and have the confidence of Duncan who gave me the helm."

www.sailsofchange.com