The 2010 Tour de France à la Voile, between sprints and marathons
Friday, December 4th: the route of the 2010 Tour de France à la Voile has been revealed during the press conference held at Paris Boat Show. From Dunkerque to La Seyne sur Mer, this round the France sailing race will be an extreme one, as offshore legs will be either very long or very short. The race will have a quick start since most of the points will be given between the Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. Competitors will have to challenge Courrier Dunkerque, the current title holder, as soon as possible. "The first half of the race will be of main importance from a strategic point of view since it will include two coefficient three legs." explains the race director William Borel. Three marathon legs will cover 500 miles between Dieppe (Seine Maritime) and Talmont Saint Hilaire (Vendée), including stopovers at Pléneuf Val André (Côtes d'Armor) and Lorient (Morbihan). On the contrary, the Mediterranean Sea will be all about inshore races, with no more than two offshore legs from Port Camargue (Gard) to Marseille (Bouches du Rhône), and from Marseille to La Seyne sur Mer (Var). The race organization should take advantage of the Southern coast to launch many triangle races.
From good habits to innovations, the 2010 Tour de France à la Voile balances different elements. The TFV is for instance going back to Calais - the race stopped there in 1978. Meanwhile, there is a new stopover in North Brittany: Pléneuf Val André. It is said to be "a charming port of call" by the race director. Most cities should also celebrate the last run of the Farr 30. She will be replaced in 2011 by the M34. This one-design boat already got a proper public: almost ten boats have already been sold. The first one is expected next spring and will be named after the Nexus Dean Barker Team. The Team New Zealand's skipper is also the boat ambassador and he already announced his desire to participate to the 2011 edition - this is the reason he attended the press conference.
Interview of William Borel, the Tour de France à la Voile race director:
About the 2010 route:
"The 2010 TFV will include ten legs for 1000 miles in total. Even though the route is rather conventional, it will also be more extreme in terms of distance: some legs will be very short and others very long. There will be two marathon legs - 200 miles each - between Dieppe and Lorient. Depending on the weather, the leg between Calais and Dieppe may be twice as long as announced thanks to a buoy to tack located on the British coast. The first half of the race will be of main importance from a strategic point of view since it will include two coefficient three legs. After these crucial navigations in the Channel and in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean part of the race will count more inshore races (triangle races)."
About the new ports of call:
"In North Brittany, Pléneuf Val André really gonna be a charming stopover. This small and lovely port is located on a river. Then, Lorient is an important city for sailing, with many racing yachts moored there. We actually stopped in Lorient two years ago for the opening of the Cité de la Voile (Sailing City). Port Camargue, on the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the biggest ports in Europe: there are almost 5000 places."
About the M34 project and the presence of Dean Barker as an ambassador:
"2010 will be the Farr 30's 12th and last year since she will be replaced in 2011 by the M34. The first M34 will be launched in April 2010 and will be named after the Nexus Dean Barker Team. The Emirates Team New Zealand's skipper Dean Barker will be the M34 ambassador and should take part to the TFV in 2011 ... Except if the America's Cup should take place at that time!
Today, eight boats are sold. The two first will be launched next spring. Archambault's boatyard plans to build five per month from June 2010. The two first M34 will also be present at the next TFV's start, and match-race regattas against Dean Barker are to expect.
With two boats sold to Oman Sail and the New-Zealand skipper as an ambassador, this project already raises an international interest."
What is to remember in this press release:
- The 2010 Tour de France à la Voile's route is now known
- The M34 project is in progress - she will be the new TFV's boat from 2011
- Emirates Team New Zealand's skipper Dean Barker will be the M34 ambassador and should take part to the 2011 TFV
- Interview of the race director William Borel
2010 route and calendar:
Dunkerque: from June 26th to 29th
25 mile-long offshore leg
Calais: from June 29th to July 1st
70 mile-long offshore leg (minimum)
Dieppe: from July 2nd to 4th
200 mile-long offshore leg
Pléneuf Val André : from July 5th to 7th
200 mile-long offshore leg
Lorient: from July 9th to 11th
105 mile-long offshore leg
Talmont Saint Hilaire: from July 12th to 14th
70 mile-long offshore leg
Royan: from July 15th to 17th
65 mile-long offshore leg
683 km-long road transit
Port Camargue: from July 18th to 20th
65 mile-long offshore leg
Marseille: from July 21st to 23rd
40 mile-long offshore leg
La Seyne sur Mer: from July 23rd to 25th
