Official Final Press Release From Guyader Grand Prix Douarnenez

7 May 2011 – Douarnenez, Brittany, France – Translation of official press release issued in French by the press office of the Guyader Grand Prix.

The Dragons draw their reverence
It was the last dance for the Dragons at the Guyader Grand Prix today and the winner of the 2011 edition is the Ukrainian boat Bunker Prince. The new M34 and Longtze classes will continue to animate the racecourse tomorrow while the operation ‘all on the bay’ with initiation and free embarkation will begin as of 10 a.m.

Two fabulous races and to finish the Dragon regatta
For the 77 Dragons engaged in the Grand Prix Guyader it was a big bang finish today. The occasion for the leaders of the fleet to put their print on this 12th edition of the Grand Prix and for those how had nothing to loose to sail for the sheer pleasure.

Out on the bay, the conditions were ideal and Jean Gab’ Cléac’h was able to run two beautiful races on a course of 1.8 miles. The first start, after a traditional general recall, was given under black flag. Nine crews were disqualified and among them, was Lars Hendriksen sailing UKR 8 Bunker Boys, one of the big favorites and overnight leader of the regatta. It wa a hard blow for the men of Bunker Boys who tumbled down in the ranking to fourth place in the general classification before the last race. They were a little more careful at the start of the ultimate race of the Grand Prix 2011 as their finishing place testifies at 21st.

But the Ukrainian Bunker Team nevertheless became the overall winner of the edition, as it was indeed Evgeniy Braslavets sailing Bunker Prince (UKR 9) who overtook his teammate to win the Grand Prix Guyader 2011. Alphie (GBR 751) helmed by reigning Dragon World Champion Lawrie Smith, another favourite of the Grand Prix, was second overall, while Klaus Diederichs on Fever (GBR 758) completed the podium, in spite of a DNF on the last race. The first French crew is that of Luc Pillot (FRA 386). In short, the Grand Prix Guyader 2011 held its promises while being rich in suspense and upheavals to the very last tack.

Beautiful day for Oman Sail
The sailors of M34 and Longtze are in Douarnenez to sail to the maximum. The committee, chaired by Fred Guerin, explained the situation with their four races today. “There is air, stable and regular, it is more interesting than yesterday and easier for everyone” explained Fred Guerin. “I can run more races, plus the competitors are content, they do not raise a question, they take it as it comes, whatever the conditions. The boats is new, it is also a discovery for me. They are really beautiful”.

With 12 to 14 knots from the South East, races on courses longer than yesterday could be run. The first of the day was won in M34 by the Nantes crew (Nantes-Saint Nazaire-E.Leclerc) in full form for their first confrontation in this new class, in spite of a first calamitous start. The continuation was less brilliant for the crew of Corentin Douguet. The second race saw Oman Sail taking the advantage and, the first place overall with still two races to come… A good start by Oman Sail in race three, but they were stopped in their tracks by a fishing net, which lost them 200 meters on Brittany Crédit Mutuel who returned from nowhere to win again! Lastly, the Omanis finish second in the last race of the day. The men led by Cédric Pouligny now count 15 points after 7 races, 9 points in front of the Nantes ex æquo with the Parisian crew of Jimmy Pahun. In the Longzte, Nicolas Béranger, remains untouchable and extended his lead today.

The results are on line at www.grandprixguyader.com