Felix on Fire in Cannes……

NED 440 Felix Jacobsen, Lars Stenfeldt Hansen & Rasmus Viltoft win in Cannes.

Yacht Club de Cannes hosted the International Extra Cup from 24th to 26th February with a total of 14 teams from 8 different Nations participating. Although the second day was lost due to lack of wind, a very enjoyable weekend was had by all, in particular the Danish Team onboard NED 440 (Team Lady in Red).

Felix Jacobsen was helming his newly acquired Petticrows V6 and immediately sailed to the front of the fleet on the opening 3 race day recording 1st, 4th & 1st. Crewed by experienced fellow Danish Sailor Lars Stenfeldt Hansen (Former Gold Cup Winner) and Rasmus Viltoft, they revelled in the conditions and returned to YCC with smiles on their faces. Their 2nd place on the final day cemented the victory and I caught up with winning crew Lars who told me “There was good speed in the boat and we started well managing to get to the right side almost every time. We had a good atmosphere on board which meant we talked a lot and everything  went well in pressure situations. Although we were around 30kg below the max we trimmed the boat well and the V6 is a rigid boat that can handle a little extra runner tension. Many thanks to Cannes Yacht Club and to all the Dragon sailors we met down there”.

Great racing in Cannes with 14 teams enjoying the International Extra Cup.

In 2nd place overall was SWE 404 helmed by Karl-Gustaf Lohr, crewed by Jasper Bendix & Mads Bendix. This top team won race number 2 and managed to hold off their closest rivals FIN 97 to finish just one point ahead overall. So in 3rd place was FIN 97 Jouko Lindgren (Olympic Bronze Medalist in 470 1980), crewed by Toumas Tenkanen & Jari Bremer.

Final Podium PRO Philippe Enel (yellow shirt) & IDA Chairman Gerard Blanc (right) join the top 3 teams. DEN 404 2nd Karl-Gustaf Lohr (left), 1st NED 440 Felix Jacobsen (centre) & 3rd FIN 97 Jouko Lindgren (right).

Huge thanks once again to professional photographer Jehan Lerin (www.jehanphoto.com) for all these excellent photo’s. It makes so much difference to a regatta when such quality images can be sourced and treasured by the competitors.  Also many congratulations to Yacht Club de Cannes for running another successful event and to all the helpers and volunteers for making it possible.

Finally, many congratulations to the winning Danish Team led by Felix Jacobsen who takes his first International title…  I’m sure it won’t be his last….   🙂

Higher, Faster, Longer…..     Stavros.