Good move for Groovederci in Marseille

The bay of Marseille offered a dramatic scenery for the three inshore that were run today. Good wind, good sun and good fun for two teams : TPM Coych and Groovederci.

If not stable, the wind was at least strong enough to race three inshore today and to have good fun downwind, surfing the waves. Getting closer and closer to the end of the regatta, it becomes everyday more difficult to pass your opponents for the general ranking. And even with a third, a second place and a bullet, TPM Coych is still ranking three overall. But the team from Hyeres really did secure his position in the top three. Nouvelle Caledonie and Courrier Dunkerque are still number one and number two and it would be a real surprise if we were to see any change before the end. For Bertrand Pacé, the skipper of Nouvelle Calédonie have some special skills : the america’s cup skipper was match race world champion and it shows ! He never let any chance to Courrier Dunkerque, the two boats are just match-racing together from the pre-start to the finish line.
But there are some changes for some boats had a very good day. Let’s talk about Groovederci for once. The wind was difficult to predict but they were pretty steady, finishing third, third and fourth. « It was very windy said Scott Nixon, mainsail trimmer onboard Groovederci, we like it, it was our day ! We took some very good start and we were really close to win. Our french tactician told us the wind would not be stronger than 15 knots but we had some puff making 25 ! We made a fool of him » The american boat is now ranking four. So is the top three Deneen Demourkas was looking for still a possibility ? Well it is going to be rather hard for The Hyeres boat wich is number three is really very very strong by now. Groovederci should rather look behind for number five, Ile de France, and number six Oman Sails’Renaissance, are very close. Oman Sail’s did finish second in the last race of the day. No questions the Omani are at ease with the mediteranean weather.
Changes also happened in the amator section. The dutch boat Mummaduck won one more race today and succeed to take the lead from Ville de Geneve. But with just one point separating the two boats we can expect some other change before the last race on Saturday. The tiniest is the difference, the harder will be the fight. And next round is a 40 milles offshore leg sailing from Marseille to La Seyne. The wind is to come, the battle is schedulded for tomorrow morning.