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GBR 375, Blue Haze Wins Cannes….
It was another beautiful sailing day in Cannes as the 46 Dragons prepared for their final race of the 2014 Panerai Regates Royal. PRO Philippe Faure, who did an excellent job throughout, sensibly held the fleet in the harbour until a sea breeze started to build. Eventually at around 12.30 the fleet made their way over to the bay of Golf Juan to complete their exciting 7 race series.
After waiting another hour, the race was eventually started around 2pm in around 6 knots of breeze and a lovely flat sea which allowed these wonderful one design keel boats to glide across the smooth water surface building speed and gaining height as they all searched for the extra wind pressure.
It came as no surprise to me that GER 1071 “Kleine Brise” won the race as Helmut Schmit and crew Andreas List & Mike Berenbach are excellent sailors particularly in these conditions similar to the German Lakes where teams like this excel. This moved Helmut and his team up to 8th place overall.
In second position was GBR 375 “Blue Haze” normally helmed by Ivan Bradbury, but on the last day helmed by Lars Hendriksen, crewed by Claus Olensen and substitute crew Catja Everhalt Blom. In doing so won the overall trophy for owner and helm Ivan Bradbury. This is the second time Ivan has won this event who I’m sure will be back sailing in October at the St Tropez event.
In runners up position overall was RUS 27 Anatoly Loginov, crewed by Vadim Statsenko and Alexander Shalagin who were just one point ahead of fellow Russian RUS 76 helmed by Dmitry Samohkin, crewed by Andrey Kirilyuk and Alexsey Bushuev. These two teams are always up the front of the fleet and have both won too many championships to mention. Well done to you both !!
Special mention must go to EST 17 “Abb-Fun” helmed by Kosk Mihkel, crewed by Niklas Jasson and Catherina Gylliny who finished in a superb 4th place overall. This young team are new in the class and although they have won European events in bigger keelboats, will now be a “Hot” team to be watched. Also in 5th place overall, GBR 761 “Jerboa” (winners in 2013) helmed by Gavia Wilkinson-Cox had another good regatta, with a 1st and two 2nd places, Gavia and her team were always sailing fast and deserved this top 5 position.
In closing I would like to congratulate the Yacht Club de Cannes on yet another wonderful event. The weather was fantastic the racing very competitive and well structured. The PRO Philippe Faure was excellent and all the Yacht Club helpers, volunteers and management did a first class job.
Many boats will return to Cannes for their “Winter Series” which begins in November with the Coupe de Armistice”.. 8th, 9th & 10th. Will you be there ?
Higher, Faster, Longer…………. Stavros. (GBR 789).