The weather conditions were particularly good for the 60 Dragons taking part to the final act of 32nd edition of the Régates Royales-Trophée Panerai in the stunning Bay of Cannes, on the French Riviera. Russian Anatoly Loginov was confirmed once more as undisputed winner.
The Régates Royales daily could certainly headline: “Thank you Cannes, thank you Aeolus”. As, bar for the opening day, wind never failed to appear, at times light and shifty, but always enough to have fair and fun racing for all the competitors. No doubt that sometimes the printing machines were a bit slow to start, as it happened on Friday when a rainstorm hit the fleet leaving a very light breeze. But, for the closing day, the crews were all ready to hit the front page. Reading the features on the water could be hard at times, the wind appearing and disappearing like Egyptian signs…
The Russians rule!
It was clear from the beginning that the Dragons reigning champion was not keen to leave his throne so easily, showing to be in top form to win the Régates Royales in 2010 too. Anatoly Loginov on Annapurna, did not fail to confirm his reputation of never giving up. Apart from a not so brilliant performance on the third day, the Russian crew never finished worse than eight. With this level of competition, their consistency and tactical ability is exceptional and shows the real champion’s patent. On the final day they started in a safe position, but nonetheless were in full control along all the race and finished in fifth, while the fight for the other steps of the podium was furious. Briton Ivan Bradbury on Blue Haze won the last race and confirmed is second position overall, whilst his countryman and internationally renowned skipper Lawrie Smith on Alfie, despite a disqualification for being over the line with a black flag, managed not to step down the podium.
To bew noted also the very positive final rush from the local crew from hosting Yacht Club de Cannes Tamm Ha Tamm skippered by Christian Boillot who close in fourth overall.
See you next year
The 32nd edition proved once more to be a huge success as confirmed by Jean-Paul Ortelli Jean-Claude Montesino, Technical director and President of the Yacht Club de Cannes, who declared to be very satisfied with this years’ edition and invited all participants to be present again in 2011 for the 33rd Régates Royales.