Dutch Teams Ahead in Deauville at Half-Way.

15 Dragons are racing in Deauville 24th – 27th June.

Monsieur Eric Lebon, President of the Deauville Yacht Club is delighted that the Le Linkers-Open International de Deauville is up and running with a good turn-out from visiting boats. Although no GBR Dragons are able to make the journey into France due to tough covid restriction from the UK Government, there are 3 Dutch, 3 Belgium and 9 French Teams…. So 15 Dragons is very respectable under the current circumstances.

Light winds in Deauville for 2 days, but a better forecast to come.

With 6 races completed so far it is the experienced NED 412 “Troika” helmed by Pieter Heerema, crewed by Lars Hendriksen & George Leonchuk who head the results scoring 4, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2. In second place at the moment is another Dutch Team NED 438 “Douzement” helmed by Jan Bakker, crewed by his sons Olivier & Dominic, scoring 1, 6, 2, 11, 3, 1. Currently in third place overall is top French Sailor Jean Breger from Port Camargue, helming his FRA 391 “Ulysse”, followed closely by fellow French Legend Gery Trentesaux FRA 428 “Bande A Part”.

The Excellent “New” Yacht Club in Deauville.

Lars Hendriksen told me “The Deauville YC is really doing everything possible to organise a great event for those of us here. The conditions on the water are not easy, with tide and light winds, but they have done really well to complete 3 races each day so far…. Some of the races had to be shortened, but that’s ok when you are in the lead :-)”..  Ha Ha… Yes, very true Lars and well done to You, Pieter & George, so far!

Of course for those lucky sailors who know Deauville well, it is a beautiful port that has tidal gates to keep the harbour full at all times. These gates are only opened at half tide, so that a constant amount of water is retained inside. Dragons are then towed out “against” the tide and released once outside the port, onto a wonderful sailing area, overlooked by golden beaches and magnificent town-side buildings…  It’s a great place to sail and I strongly recommend it to all Dragon Sailors in the future.

More to follow over the coming days…….

Higher, Faster, Longer……   Stavros.   (Missing not being there).