It was a very early start for the 44 boats as they headed out into the Gulf of St Tropez at 8.30am yesterday morning, to be greeted with some quite severe gusts of up to 28kts from the north west. It was not just the strength of the wind at times that caused concern more the shifting of direction. However, the PRO Jean Pierre Mannetstatter, got the fleet away on time with a 9,0am start which saw the individual recall flag raised as just a few boats were over the line. Early gains were made by the boats who chose the right hand side of the beat, and it was SWE 345 Jacob Wallenberg who mastered the conditions the best to lead at the top mark. Hot in pursuit were FRA 339 Jean Pol Kerbaol and NED 372 Wouter Ten Wolde. On raising spinnakers it was time for your “brown trousers” as each gust of wind could suddenly have you sailing 15 degree’s by the Lee! Indeed FRA 339 had their spinnaker blow out in spectactular style, to just leave the crew with three pink coners……… However, Jacob handled his boat well and had a comfortable lead by the gate from Wouter and the winner of the day GBR 758 Klaus Diederichs who took control of 2nd place as NED 372 finished a very creditable 3rd place.
Race 2 saw a similar gain on the right on the first beat and GBR 758 was soon in command of the fleet and were never challenged as they went onto win easily. Meanwhile the leader after the first day ITA 56 Giuseppe Duca had recorded a 20th in the first race so desperately needed to improve on that if he was going to win “Back to Back” titles after his success in Cannes only 9 days ago… With FRA 391 Jean Breger sailing very well to take 2nd place behind Diederichs, it was left to Giuseppe to hold off the rest of the fleet knowing 3rd place would give him and his crew Jean Sebastian Ponce and Paolo Paganuzzi the title!
So Klaus Diederichs won the day with a 2nd and 1st, but it was Giuseppe Duca who added yet another victory to his growing trophy list. NED 316 Pieter Heerama helming the “Bear”had two very consistant races to add to his two bullets from day one, to take the final podium position, just one point behind Diederichs.
Whilst the winners and others were celebrating and boat packing some very disturbing news was circulating amongst the fleet of a serious accident to Julia Walsh in GBR 633. It seems that Julia was thrown across the boat during one of the strong gusts and landed heavily on her Ribs on the leeward side of the boat… Immediate rescue and recovery was undertaken and Julia rushed off to hospital. All of our thoughts are with her now as doctors discover the full extent of her injury. More news to follow………
So Campers yet another St Tropez is over and many congratulations to Jean Pierre and his race office team for completing 5 races despite losing a day with severe winds… It is hoped that for 2012 an extra half day of sailing will be added to this popular event, so come join the fun, in the sun and clear blue waters of the Gulf of St Tropez…….
4 replies to “Diederichs Day in St Tropez, but it’s Duca’s Double!”
Ron James
Monday10th October. Julia suffered some horisiontal cracks in her vertebrae and two cracked ribs but fortunately no damage to the spinal cord. Although very painful the bones will heal of there own accord. Today she was able to walk a few steps and should be quite mobile again in about three weeks and fully recovered in 2 or 3 months when she expects to be back in the Dragon again.
Julia, all the best for speedy recovery! I am terribly sorry for this to happen to you. Hope to see you back on the boat before too long! Without you there isn’t anybody with whom I can argue about the water hose!!! All the best, Michael
Sorry to read about your accident and I wish you a speedy recovery. It was a pleasure to crew for you in La Baule by chance following Ron’s thumb injury this year.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Diederichs Day in St Tropez, but it’s Duca’s Double!
It was a very early start for the 44 boats as they headed out into the Gulf of St Tropez at 8.30am yesterday morning, to be greeted with some quite severe gusts of up to 28kts from the north west. It was not just the strength of the wind at times that caused concern more the shifting of direction. However, the PRO Jean Pierre Mannetstatter, got the fleet away on time with a 9,0am start which saw the individual recall flag raised as just a few boats were over the line. Early gains were made by the boats who chose the right hand side of the beat, and it was SWE 345 Jacob Wallenberg who mastered the conditions the best to lead at the top mark. Hot in pursuit were FRA 339 Jean Pol Kerbaol and NED 372 Wouter Ten Wolde. On raising spinnakers it was time for your “brown trousers” as each gust of wind could suddenly have you sailing 15 degree’s by the Lee! Indeed FRA 339 had their spinnaker blow out in spectactular style, to just leave the crew with three pink coners……… However, Jacob handled his boat well and had a comfortable lead by the gate from Wouter and the winner of the day GBR 758 Klaus Diederichs who took control of 2nd place as NED 372 finished a very creditable 3rd place.
Race 2 saw a similar gain on the right on the first beat and GBR 758 was soon in command of the fleet and were never challenged as they went onto win easily. Meanwhile the leader after the first day ITA 56 Giuseppe Duca had recorded a 20th in the first race so desperately needed to improve on that if he was going to win “Back to Back” titles after his success in Cannes only 9 days ago… With FRA 391 Jean Breger sailing very well to take 2nd place behind Diederichs, it was left to Giuseppe to hold off the rest of the fleet knowing 3rd place would give him and his crew Jean Sebastian Ponce and Paolo Paganuzzi the title!
So Klaus Diederichs won the day with a 2nd and 1st, but it was Giuseppe Duca who added yet another victory to his growing trophy list. NED 316 Pieter Heerama helming the “Bear”had two very consistant races to add to his two bullets from day one, to take the final podium position, just one point behind Diederichs.
Whilst the winners and others were celebrating and boat packing some very disturbing news was circulating amongst the fleet of a serious accident to Julia Walsh in GBR 633. It seems that Julia was thrown across the boat during one of the strong gusts and landed heavily on her Ribs on the leeward side of the boat… Immediate rescue and recovery was undertaken and Julia rushed off to hospital. All of our thoughts are with her now as doctors discover the full extent of her injury. More news to follow………
So Campers yet another St Tropez is over and many congratulations to Jean Pierre and his race office team for completing 5 races despite losing a day with severe winds… It is hoped that for 2012 an extra half day of sailing will be added to this popular event, so come join the fun, in the sun and clear blue waters of the Gulf of St Tropez…….
Higher, Faster, Longer…………. Stavros. (NED 372)
4 replies to “Diederichs Day in St Tropez, but it’s Duca’s Double!”
Ron James
Monday10th October. Julia suffered some horisiontal cracks in her vertebrae and two cracked ribs but fortunately no damage to the spinal cord. Although very painful the bones will heal of there own accord. Today she was able to walk a few steps and should be quite mobile again in about three weeks and fully recovered in 2 or 3 months when she expects to be back in the Dragon again.
Ron James
Michael Handrick
Julia, all the best for speedy recovery! I am terribly sorry for this to happen to you. Hope to see you back on the boat before too long! Without you there isn’t anybody with whom I can argue about the water hose!!! All the best, Michael
Thomas Wilton
We both wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back on the circiut soon.
Best wishes
Nicky & Thomas
Chris Brealy
Sorry to read about your accident and I wish you a speedy recovery. It was a pleasure to crew for you
in La Baule by chance following Ron’s thumb injury this year.