Cancellation of the inshore race and inauguration of the Saint-Cast, Côtes d'Armor marina
There was no wind at all today in Saint-Cast, Côtes d’Armor. The sun disappeared while the wind remained too light for the boats to race. The fleet waited for several hours between the rocks and in the sea mist before to go back to the port on the race comity behalf.
There was no wind at all today in Saint-Cast, Côtes d’Armor. The sun disappeared while the wind remained too light for the boats to race. The fleet waited for several hours between the rocks and in the sea mist before to go back to the port on the race comity behalf.
No race then for today. The overall ranking remains the same after yesterday’s offshore leg. When leaving Saint-Cast tomorrow, Nouvelle Calédonie will pull up once again the leader’s Honda red spinnaker. The fleet will sail 30 miles to Saint-Quay, Côtes d’Armor. Because of the unpredictable weather, the race director, the jury and the race comity took a decision: if the wind should be as light tomorrow as it has been today, they may ask the fleet to sail with the engine on to Saint-Quay before to organise an inshore leg. In any case, it won’t change anything from the sport point of view as both races would be awarded of the same ratio (one).
Tonight, the brand new marine of Saint-Cast-le-Guildo will be inaugurated with Yann Eliès as a patron and the Tour de France à la Voile crews and staff.
Inauguration of the Saint-Cast, Côtes d’Armor marina
Hundreds of people are coming to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo this afternoon. Some salute the TFV sailors, some look for the first time at this brand new port. Today is important for the Côtes d’Armor since it is the inauguration of this brand new marina.
Second North Brittany port in deep water after the one in Saint-Quay-Portrieux, it has been one of the largest French yard. For Claudy Lebreton, president of the Conseil Général des Côtes d’Armor, this official inauguration comes from “a ten years cultural work to bring back the inhabitants to the sea.” Many children are following Yann Eliès, who is also the patron of this new port. The local skipper seems proud of such facilities. Brittany dynamism, especially in Côtes d’Armor, is famous for sailing sports. Laurent Bregeon, manager of the Team Voile Côtes d'Armor, also has a project on the TFV. He tells us about it.
Laurent Bregeon, manager of the Team Voile Côtes d'Armor :
About the Team Voile:
“Our boat takes part to the TFV since 1999. It is our politician’s will to develop sailing sports in our department. Moreover, we participate to the French Young championship with young persons in Open 5.7. We also sail a lot on match race – it is one of our specialties. We bought two JOD 35, who previously sail for the TFV, and who are now use for match race. We take part to the Solitaire du Figaro too.”
About the sailors from Côtes d’Armor:
“1999 was the first year we took part to the TFV with a young crew coming from our training centre. Yann Eliès, Fred Duthil, Thomas Rouxel and Gilles Favennec were onboard. Today, Yann, Fred and Thomas are sailing on Figaro, Gilles did the America’s Cup and a Transat with Jean Galfione. Philippe Legros is also taking part to the Route du Rhum. They are many others, we have lots of sailors!
Girls first joined the team in 2000 thanks to the match race. Claire Leroy is the match race world leader. Julie Bossard is in the tenth, and she did third in Kiel recently. These are important results for us.”
About the Côtes d’Armor’s project on the TFV:
“There are 16 young local persons on board plus six with some more experience. We intend to educate. Experienced crews know we don’t necessarily want to be well ranked, but to be formative. They did a good first offshore leg, but weren’t very good yesterday. The race is long! It has been rather open until now so we hope to finish between fifth and tenth.”
About the new Saint-Cast marina:
“We have been organising match race competitions in here for seven or eight years. Ian Williams, now World champion of match race, came here several years ago. He thought it was fun to have such a nice place without a port! There were only moorings and we had to take people to the boats in dinghies.
Today, Saint-Cast has a port as good as any other in the world! The area is amazing. It’s great for sailing, very practical and well located. For us, it’s important.”
