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It’s FULL SPEED in La Baule…
With a fantastic entry of 40 boats in the ever popular La Baule, the event got off to a great start yesterday with 3 races sailed in sunshine and 8 to 10 kts of warm south-westerly breeze. Temperatures rose above 25 degrees as this “multi-international” fleet all enjoyed some very close racing over the short two up wind and 2 down wind leg’s. It was a pleasure to see boats from America, Hong Kong, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Great Britain as well as France taking part in this “festival” of everything that is good about the “Dragon’s”.
In race 1 we saw the ever popular Danish Double Olympic Gold Medalist, Poul-Richard Hoj-Jensen helm his latest “Danish Blue” GBR 775 into 1st place. Poul-Richard, who recently celebrated his 70th Birthday, first won this event back in 2001 (also with me 🙂 and has been returning to La Baule ever since. Crewed by Paul Maguire and Peter Bowering from Ireland, they never put a foot wrong and led from start to finish. In race 2 it was the turn of Martin Payne sailing “Full Speed” GBR 585 crewed by Dominic Bakker and Olivier Bakker to turn up the heat on Poul-Richard… After crossing the fleet from the PIN end of the line, the Full Speed team held on to win comfortably.
In race 3 it was the turn of “Cigar” smoking, always smiling, Guus de Groot helming NED 309 “Furie” who managed to round the top mark 1st with some close tacking and making the most of the small and delicate wind shifts. Guus was able to hold his lead until the end to secure the victory. With the “Full Speed” team recording a 3rd & 2nd to add to their race win, they lead overall.
In 2nd place overall and sailing very well is Christian Guyader in FRA 365 “Ar Youleg” from Douarnenez, this is the original boat of Louis Urvois and is showing some great speed, recording 3rd, 9th, 2nd. In 3rd overall is Edward Simmons from the USA, Ed is helming a borrowed boat FRA 334 “Avel Dro” and his 9th, 4th & 4th was excellent. Well done to these two teams for their very consistent sailing.
However, with three more days to go and 7 more races this event has a long way to go, tonight is Dinner in the huge Tent at Y.C.L.B. which will be well attended and lots of fun for all…..
Higher, Faster, Longer…………… Stavros. (GBR 585).