Oman Sail's mixed revenge

Up and down for Oman Sail’s Renaissance! The Oman’s boat was launched again this morning after a night of repairs. The crew went twice aground yesterday, before to win the first race today and to be called disqualified during the second start.

Green sea, Southwest breeze and strong current: tough conditions today in Calais. Yet, nothing to worry Oman Sail’s, whose boat was just launched after a night ashore. Rob Greenhalgh, the skipper, did two Volvo Ocean Race and won it in 2006. Today, he won the first inshore race. Then, he got disqualified under the black flag of the second start, and so did Manche – Basse Normandie, Ville de Genève – Carrefour Prévention and Région de Bruxelles Capitale. Oman is now sixth overall and Greenhalgh is still confident. “The team is performing very well. We had a few tough races but you know, it’s a long event.”

The day was more homogenous for Ile-de-France 2010 and Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée - COYCH. Third in the first race, Jimmy Pahun’s crew won the second race, while Fabien Henry’s team finished in second and fourth position. Ile-de-France 2010 is fourth on the overall ranking and TPM – COYCH third.

What about the amateur? Purflo - Les Thermes Marins - St Malo is leading. The students of Team SOG – Safran are still successful. They finished fifth and sixth today. Second overall, they leave TPM – COYCH ten points behind.

Tomorrow, the fleet will leave Calais for Dieppe. The start of this second offshore leg is expected at 2.00 pm.

Interviews

Rob Greenhalgh, Oman Sail’s Renaissance’s skipper:
“We had a up and down day, a mixed day. Obviously, after our problem on the first leg, hitting the rock, we had a busy night fixing things. Today, we wanted to go and have a good day. We won the first race. We knew we were fast and we won that with a relative ease in the end. And then, in the second race, there was a general recall and a black flag. The tide was very, very strong. We got caught OCS and disqualified. The start line was drifting because of the current, because it was so strong. So the line had moved by five or six boat lengths during the time we set up our computer during the start, which caused us to be over. Not saying it’s anyone’s fault other that our own.”

Jonathan Swain, Groovederci’s crew:
“We had a very interesting first race. We had two collisions. We had to repair at the first mark and then we got into a collision at the second upwind mark too. All of that was because of the current. It was quite difficult to get around the top mark – there was between three and four knots of current. Then, the second race, we had a very good start and after that, it was quite easy. We just had to maintain our second place. It just proved to us, as a team, that if we got a good start, we’re able to stand at the front. We have the speed, and we’ve got the tools.”

Quentin Grueau, Purflo – Les Thermes Marins – St Malo’s trimmer and skipper:
“A rather satisfying day since we succeeded to take the first place of the amateur ranking. It was very difficult form a mental point of view, and our tactician worked hard. The current was strong and the wind didn’t stop to drop down. Rounding the buoys was hot, boats touched each other and there are some damages. It’s a shame, but we are safe. The team reacts quickly and we sail ok compared to the top of the fleet. We are now working on tomorrow’s offshore leg. It will be the first night leg. We’ll take the first important strategic choices.”