RC44: On fire, Rod Davis conquers the Sea Dubai Gold Cup match race and offers the season title to Ceeref

The Slovenian team Ceeref, with Rod Davis at the helm for this regatta, wins the Sea Dubai RC 44 Gold Cup match race ahead of the fantastic Spaniards on board Islas Canarias Puerto Calero. Ceeref also conquers the season title ahead of a disappointed Dean Barker, on board Artemis, ninth of the event.


CEEREF, winner of the Sea Dubai Gold Cup match race, also conquers the match race title in the RC 44 Championship Tour 2009. Image copyright Raffaello Bastiani/RC44 Class Association.

by Bernard Schopfer

The Sea Dubai match race took place today in a light and fairly stable sea breeze. Due to the cancellation of the races yesterday and in order to save time, the fleet got split into two groups of five boats, resulting in two parallel rankings. The wind unfortunately didn’t allow for a Grand Finale; the event is nevertheless valid, with five flights completed and a proper ranking.

Sailing for the season title, Artemis, with Dean Barker at the helm, suffered from a steering failure during the pre-start of the first regatta against Team Sea Dubai. Markus Wieser, who was steering the local team, immediately saw the benefit he could get from this situation and inflicted a penalty to his opponent before the start, winning the race and an important point although Barker and his team remained a serious threat until the arrival line. However, Dean’s steering position, squatting in the cockpit during the entire race - holding the spare tiller - made a come back impossible.

The RC 44 technical team managed to repair the failure but the crew on board Artemis suffered throughout the day, sailing way below their usual level and finishing a disappointing ninth overall. A result that allows Ceeref to grab the annual Championship Tour match race title.

The irony of the story is that Artemis’ main opponent today was no other than their own coach: Rod Davis, steering Ceeref exceptionally today as a substitute to their usual helmsman Sébastien Col, who was not available this week.

Davis was on fire, beating Team Aqua in the first flight after a fantastic match race lesson that included a dial up at the windward mark, fake jibes and many more of the “dirty tricks" available in the match race encyclopaedia. Ceeref then went on to beat Team Austria, Organika and BMW ORACLE Racing, finishing the contest unbeaten.

The situation was tighter in the second group, with Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (José Maria Ponce) winning ahead of No Way Back (Ray Davies) to grab the second place overall.

There were many penalties today, and the overall ranking is deeply affected by the nervousness of some of the teams. Indeed, Team Aqua – who was third overall in the match race ranking before this regatta – finishes the Gold Cup at an unbelievable last place and ends up seventh in the yearly ranking. Artemis, who was leading, finishes fourth… On the other hand, Ceeref is the season winner ahead of No Way Back and Karol Jablonski’s Organika, definitely on great form after their performance last week in Nice.

The fleet regatta starts tomorrow. Artemis leads the season ranking, two points ahead of Team Aqua and five points ahead of BMW ORACLE Racing and No Way Back. Artemis dominated last month’s event in Portoroz and is the favourite of this contest. However, as the match race event proved, nothing’s ever acquired until the last race!

They said:

Rod Davis, helmsman, CEEREF: "CEEREF is a very easy team to fit in. It is a slick and very well run operation. All I had to do is take the helm and concentrate on my steering: the manoeuvres were perfect and Michele Ivaldi was giving me great strategic advice. I had big pressure because I am usually sitting on the coach boat: if I lose, people will say "who are you to give advice..." I focused on remaining calm and trying to identify the issues and find the right answers."

Jose Maria Ponce, helmsman, Islas Canarias Puerto Calero: “We knew in the morning that it would be a very difficult day, with a light breeze. Our first race against Paul Cayard went really well; we managed to give him a penalty before the start and won nicely. It gave the entire team a great boost of confidence and we carried on sailing very well. The mental is very important in those races, and when you start well it gives you a huge motivation."

Dean Barker, helmsman, Artemis: “I am extremely disappointed. We had this steering failure during the first race and it affected our entire day. We just didn’t get back into it, and sailed very average. It is frustrating that we are losing the title due to gear failure."

Ray Davies, helmsman, No Way Back: “I am very happy with our day, especially the second part of it as we finished very strong. We should also have won the first race against the Spaniards but we were called back at the start and didn’t manage to get back. There was obviously strong pressure today because it is the end of the season and the points become very important. We salvaged a good day."

Sea Dubai RC 44 Gold Cup - Match-race final results:
(Ranking, name of team, helmsman, No of victories / defeats, points)

1) CEEREF, Rod Davis, 4 points
2) Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, José Maria Ponce, 3 points
3) Organika, Karol Jablonski, 3 points
4) No Way Back, Ray Davies, 2 points
5) BMW ORACLE Racing, Morgan Larson, 1,5 points (including 0,5 point penalty)
6) Team Katusha, Paul Cayard, 1 point (including 2 points penalty)
7) Team Austria, Christian Binder, 1 point
8) Team Sea Dubai, Markus Wieser, 1 point
9) Artemis, Dean Barker, 1 point
10) Team Aqua, Cameron Appleton, -2 points (including 3 points penalty)

RC 44 Championship Tour, Match-race final results 2009:
(Ranking, name of team, points)

1) CEEREF, 13 points
2) No Way Back, 20 points
3) Organika, 24 points
4) Artemis, 27 points
5) BMW ORACLE Racing, 28 points
6) Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, 29 points
7) Team Aqua, 32 points
8) Katusha, 45 points
9) Team Sea Dubai, 45 points
10) Team Austria, 51 points
11) Jelik, 65 points

RC44

Royal Bermuda elects Shrubb Commodore 2010-2012

RBYC's new Commodore, Peter Shrubb. Supplied image.

by Talbot Wilson

S. Peter Shrubb was elected Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club at the Special General Membership meeting November 25th at the Hamilton clubhouse. Shrubb, a 30 year member of the Club and an International Judge, International Umpire and member of the Umpire team for the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia will take the helm of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for the next two-year term, 2010 through 2012. Serving as Flag Officers with Shrubb will be Jonathan Brewin who will rise from Rear commodore to Vice Commodore and new Rear Commodores Somers W. Kempe and Scott King. Continuing in their offices are Andrew Burnett-Herkes, Honorary Secsecretary and Paul B. Hubbard, RBYC Treasurer.

“The members of the RBYC,” said the present Commodore Ralph Richardson, “are proud to have a man of Peter Shrubb’s stature, as a sailor, an international race official and a businessman, to serve as our next Commodore. Peter will have an exciting time as Commodore during the 47th Newport Bermuda Race and during our other signature events, the Bacardi International Invitational Race Week and the Argo Group Gold Cup and in managing the improvements to the Club and our sailing programme during his tenure. I wish him all of the best during his term of service.”

Following the general membership meeting, Shrubb commented on the election. “Being elected Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club gives me the opportunity to build on the importance of sailing for all Bermudians and for all the many sailors who cruise and race here. I will continue to stress the development of our junior sailing programmes and our role in international competition. It is an honour to have the support of the RBYC membership.”

“I would like to commend the hard work and efforts of our outgoing Commodore, Ralph Richardson, who has set a high standard for me to follow after a very successful term in office.”

“I’ve been involved with RBYC and sailing for many years, serving once before as an officer. Now I’m happy to continue my service to RBYC. I think that being a Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore will be a wonderful opportunity.” Shrubb said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge with the support of a long line of distinguished past Commodores and my fellow Flag Officers.”

Vice Commodore Jonathan Brewin rises from Rear Commodore of Sailing to second in command as Vice Commodore. He is President of the HWP Group. Having developed a passion for offshore cruising and racing over the past 35 years, Brewin can be seen in the locally raced J105 “Not Mine” or sailing offshore on his J160 “Big Bear”.

The new Rear Commodore of Sailing Somers Kempe follows many other Kempe family members who have served the RBYC well. Somers is a Software Engineer at Nephila Capital Ltd. A long-timer member of the RBYC, his sailing exploits include everything from ocean racing to one design sailing. He is currently the champion skipper of the RBYC fitted dinghy, “Contest”.

The other new Rear Commodore, managing the house, is Scott King. King is currently the Manager of Human Resources for Lines Overseas Management Limited. His sailing experience ranges from freighters to Antarctica to the America's Cup with frequent stops on Bermuda's Wednesday night series.

About the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is a private Club and is the third oldest club holding a Royal Warrant outside the British Isles. The Bermuda Yacht Club was established on the 1st November, 1844 by a party of thirty gentlemen, consisting largely of officers in the British Army, most of them belonging to the 20th Regiment, then stationed here in Bermuda. There are now approximately 850 resident and non-resident members.

Early in 1845, at the invitation of the Bermuda Yacht Club's Commodore, Lord Mark Kerr, the Prince HRH Prince Albert, the first Duke of Edinburgh, graciously consented to become Patron of the Club. His Royal Highness, Prince Albert gave permission for the Bermuda Yacht Club to style themselves the "ROYAL BERMUDA YACHT CLUB".

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

America's Cup: America's Cup Defender hopeful that tradition and rights are upheld by Appellate Division

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat

The America's Cup Defender, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), today argued before the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court in defence of two of the Defender's fundamental rights as per the Deed of Gift: the right to choose the venue and the right to race a challenger that complies with the Deed of Gift measurement requirements.

“The Defender is hopeful the five Judges of the Appellate Division will respect and uphold its Deed of Gift right to select the venue and to define the rules as has been the case for 158 years and 32 editions of the America's Cup. If Justice Kornreich's decision is upheld, it would be the first time in the history of the America's Cup that the Defender is deprived of its fundamental right to choose the venue. We expect a swift decision from the court in order to move ahead with the 33rd America's Cup and at last return it to the water,” said SNG vice-commodore Fred Meyer.

Alinghi
Société Nautique de Genève

Les Voiles de St. Barth

Image copyright DR.

by Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

The local council in Saint Barthélémy, the Tourist board and the Saint Barth Yacht Club are setting up a new sailing event from Tuesday 6th to Sunday 11th April 2010, which will be open to Classic and modern yachts, Super Yachts, Racing-Cruisers, as well as Racing Multihulls, in one of the most delightful settings and on the finest waters in the world with what is bound to be a friendly atmosphere as we have come to expect in the Caribbean. "The world's finest boats racing in an area known for its fun with the simple goal of bringing together sport and sheer pleasure."

At the crossroads between the continent of North America, South America and the Caribbean islands, Saint Barthélémy has always included sailing races among its traditions and has made great use of its know-how. The desire to create a special event unique to Saint Barth, with the backing of François Tolède, member of the Saint Barth tourist board and in charge of special events at the Saint Barth Yacht Club, is the latest example in a long history of glorious yachting events on the island, ever since the Loulou's regatta, which in the seventies brought together up to 200 sail boats.

Using all the knowledge and expertise it has acquired in welcoming large yachts and racing boats, with a know-how that is recognised with such varied races as the Transat AG2R, the Route du Rosé and the St-Barth Bucket Regatta, Saint Barth is organising a week of racing in the best spirit of the sport with the finest yachts that can be found in this part of the world. "We’re looking forward to welcoming the big American yachts, which sail in the Caribbean in the winter months," explained Luc Poupon, the race director. "We are inviting the finest yachts in the world, including the Maxi Yachts, and Racing-Cruisers, and we hope that for this maiden event that no fewer than a hundred of the greatest Classic and modern yachts will be appearing here.”


The Caribbean racing waters. Image copyright DR.

We can therefore expect the jewels in the crown of the international racing world to be heading for Gustavia at the start of the spring of 2010. "80% of the sailors will be from a British or American background," added "Lucky" Poupon. "But the boats will be coming from all over the world, from the USA of course, but also from Mexico, South America, and we’ve even had requests from Poland and Hong Kong. It will really be an opportunity to discover yachts, many of which do not sail in European waters."

So we can be sure that the whole of the Caribbean sailing world will be celebrating at the start of next April. There will be a friendly and festive atmosphere ashore outside of the races and a special village will be set up for the racers and their sponsors. "We are planning a lot of special events ashore, in order for the hundreds of sailors from around the world to have fun together," continued François Tolède. "The fact that we are an island means we attract motivated people, who come to Saint Barth for the charms of the island and the beauty of the racing yachts throughout this week."

Specific start areas will be set up according to the size of boat in order to make this a fair contest. "On the leeward side of the island, where the races will start, there are a number of possible courses off Gustavia or around the islands, which means that each class can enjoy a fair competition in the best spirit of the sport," explained Luc Poupon. "The trade winds tend to ease off in April, and we can legitimately hope for a steady easterly of around fifteen knots." Which means we can look forward to some great racing in the sunshine.

The world’s finest yachts, from Classic yachts to Maxis, often with top names from ocean racing and regattas at the helm (Peter Holmberg, Russell Coutts....), windy races, offering a spectacular show, an atmosphere ashore based around the simple pleasures of life... under the auspices of the photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, the Voiles de Saint Barth will also be bringing together the traditional values of classic yachts and the spectacular modern approach of the newest Racing-Cruisers, to ensure that all those, who love beautiful boats will enjoy this event that the Saint Barthélémy council would like to see become a regular date on the calendar of the international yachting world.


St Barth. Image copyright DR.

Guest yachts:

The Super Yachts
They are very different from each other, so it is very difficult to classify them. A handicap time system will be put in place based on specifications, such as the size of the boat, the sail surface and weight. Some of these boats take part in the Bucket Regatta.

The Classics
Classic boats must be at least 35 years old and will be ranked in various classes. To deal with them fairly a handicap system is set up based on the specifications of the boat, such as the size, sail surface and weight.

The Racing
Racing monohulls built specifically for coastal or ocean racing. Often built of carbon or other so called exotic materials, their sail surface is immense and they have a large crew on board for hiking out.

The Racing Cruiser
In most cases, these are series boats, fitted out for cruising or racing.

The Racing Multihulls
Racing multihulls, trimarans or catamarans, with a length between 30 and 60 feet. In general, they are very light and fast.

The schedule for the 2010 race
• Tuesday 6th April 2010: Official opening of the registration office (daylight hours)
Publication of official programme
Opening ceremony, Quai Général de Gaulle
Cocktail reception in the race village

• Wednesday 7th April 2010: 1st day of racing
Harbourmaster’s office
10H00 Skippers’ briefing
11H00 Start of the first races
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special light show Quai Général de Gaulle
Opening of the weather centre: cocktail reception for the sponsors

• Thursday 8th April 2010: 2nd day of racing
10H00 The boats set sail
11H00 Lunch on the start line – weather unit
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special event in the race village: light show

• Friday 9th April 2010: 3rd day of racing
10H00 The boats set sail
16H00 The competitors return to shore
17H00 Special event in the race village: light show

• Saturday 10th April 2010: Final day of racing
10H00 Final day of racing: the boats set sail
17H00 Prize ceremony and cocktail reception
20H00 Party evening and closing ceremony for the Voiles de St Barth
Sponsors’ dinner – Weather centre

• Sunday 11th April 2010:
10H00 Start of the Colombier Regatta
13H00 Giant picnic

Les Voiles de Saint Barth

RC44s: Racing cancelled due to the lack of wind on day one of the Sea Dubai RC 44 Gold Cup

by Bernard Schopfer

The RC 44 Championship Tour match race could unfortunately not begin today as expected due to the lack of wind. The strong “Shaman” that was blowing over the past few days is gone and the sea breeze is not established yet. Chief Race Officer Peter “Luigi” Reggio stayed out on the water all day, looking for the breeze and trying to find a solution. He waited until 4:00 PM to take the only possible decision as the night falls at 5:30 PM.

The match racing event will be held in one day tomorrow. The ten strong RC 44 fleet will be split in two groups, with every team completing a total of five flights. There will then be a final series between the first and second, third and fourth, fifth and sixth etc.

The racing will start according to the schedule at 11:30 AM.

RC44

TJV: Safran - Winner of the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre

by Soazig Guého

The tricky approach to the coast of Costa Rica ended successfully for the duo, Guillemot - Caudrelier Benac. In light winds, they led Safran to a fully deserved victory after 15 days, 19 hours and 22 minutes of intense sailing.

It was daylight in France, but still dark in Puerto Limon when Safran crossed the finish at 2h 52’ and 10’’ (local time) or 8h 52’ 10’’, GMT. It marked the end of some genuine suspense, as Safran and the boat chasing after her, Groupe Bel had both been sailing in stealth mode since the previous day. Marc and Charles did not have any information about their most dangerous rival. “It was tough right up to the finish. With the thunderstorms, rain, wind holes, there were a lot of uncertainties and worries. Now it’s done. With Charles, we said we would be back to do better than last time and we have kept our word.”

“Never a moment’s rest”

To obtain this victory, Marc and Charles had to give it their all. “We’re completely exhausted. We lived in wet conditions for the whole fortnight. The physiotherapists are going to be busy… I think it is one of the most difficult races I have taken part in. I’ve never worked so hard aboard a boat.” Marc Guillemot, at the age of fifty has achieved a remarkable win, which comes in addition to his long list of successes over thirty years of ocean racing, after being in the top three in the Vendée Globe, and is quite simply exceptional on a sporting and human level. Charles, aged 35, can also savour this moment of triumph. “Marc is incredible and I’d like to thank him for letting me come aboard again. Safran too is quite remarkable. This boat backed us all the way and never faltered. She took the pounding in her stride and offered us some magical surfing moments. I didn’t know we could push her as hard as this. There was never a moment’s rest, especially on this final night.”

“Good sailing and good sail choices”

“There are always two great moments in any race - the start and the finish,” explained Marc. Between those two moments, there was the satisfaction of some good sailing, with good sail choices and the fact that we made it out of the storm in the lead. And we enjoyed keeping Groupe Bel at a distance, keeping up the pressure in spite of the sailing conditions being permanently difficult.” In this year’s race, for the first time outside help with the routing was not allowed. Sylvain Mondon, an expert at Météo France who worked alongside the Safran Sailing Team, is a happy teacher today. “As far as I am concerned, they fully deserve this win. They clearly sailed the best route of the whole fleet.”

As soon as they arrived, Jean-Paul Herteman, President of the board of the Safran group, thanked the two winners: “I’d like to offer congratulations on behalf of Safran and the 55,000 men and women, who work there on this fantastic win, achieved at the end of a race, where the weather conditions were difficult and the competition extremely tough. This honours your talent and your professionalism but also the partnership, which is different from the others, between the major high-technology Group that is Safran and the exceptional sailor that is Marco. I mean this most sincerely, but thanks a lot!”

Safran’s race in figures
Race time: 15 days 19 hours 22 minutes 10 seconds
Average speed on the direct route: 12.46 knots
Average speed out on the water: 13.87 knots
Distance covered: 5263 miles

Safran
Transat Jacques Vabre

TJV: Golding and Sanso

Mike Golding Yacht Racing reaches Costa Rica. Image copyright Marcel Mochet/AFP.

by Régis Lerat

Out of the early Caribbean morning sunshine, Mike Golding and Javier Sanso, glided the final miles to the finish off Puerto Limon, Costa Rica to complete the Transat Jacques Vabre in an excellent third place.

It is the British skipper's sixth consecutive Transat Jacques Vabre race and the fourth time he has finished on the podium, a record in the IMOCA Open 60 class that no other skipper has matched in this Transatlantic Race. Golding finished second on 2001, and third in 1999 and 2003, and today.

And Sanso, who finished fourth in the Barcelona World Race and took fourth in this race in 2001, becomes the first Spanish sailor in the nine editions of the race to finish on the podium in the IMOCA Open 60 class.

Mike Golding Yacht Racing finished at14:59:38 hrs UTC Wednesday 25th November (0859hrs local time, Costa Rica) after sailing for 17d 1hr 29 mins 38 seconds at an average speed of 11,54 knots since leaving Le Havre on Sunday 8th November, Mike Golding and Javier Sanso took third place in the IMOCA Open 60. Mike Golding Yacht Racing sailed a distance of 5317 miles and finished 1 day 6 hours 7 minutes and 28 seconds behind the Class winner Safran.

In the early tranquillity of the dockside he echoed the remarks of race winner Marc Guillemot, confirming it was one of the toughest races he has competed in.

During the big Atlantic storm over Thursday 12th and Friday 13th November, Golding admitted that both he and his Spanish co-skipper Sanso were confined below ‘just waiting for something to break', but the final miles over the last two days in to today's finish were frustrating for the duo, struggling through light, sticky, winds with French double Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux 50 miles behind.

“In reality we were never too concerned about him. It seemed like an impossibility, but then you never do really know in this game, you can never say never, but I felt like we had covered the northerly option.” Golding said.


Mike Golding is soaked in champagne. Image copyright Marcel Mochet/AFP.

Just as for the two skippers who finished ahead of his Mike Golding Yacht Racing, third today is a welcome solid result gained in a high quality fleet, a welcome liberation after Golding had to retire from last winter's Vendée Globe race when his mast broke just after he had taken the lead.

Golding and Sanso took a bold northerly option after emerging from the English Channel, a key move along with Groupe Bel and Safran. The trio managed the transition from northerly routing well which left them in the best possible shape compared with their southern rivals to deal with the high pressure system which stood between them and the easterly trade winds.

The British Spanish duo were in second place for three days before small technical issues started to impede their ability to match the consistently high speeds set by the leading duo Safran and Groupe Bel.

Golding said he was happy with their result, but still frustrated that they could not have taken full advantage of their opportunities. But his boat has had a long refit after the Vendée Globe and he and Sanso only paired up a few weeks before the start, and had only sailed a benign qualifying sail together.

Quotes

Javier Sanso (ESP) Mike Golding Yacht Racing:

“It was a pretty tough race and we are happy with the result. Certainly when I look back and remember being in Le Havre and looking around at the standard of the fleet, and all the rock-stars of the IMOCA Open 60 world, I am very pleased to be in here with this result. Yes, it is a little frustrating that we had our problems which held us back, our electrics, battery and engine problems, but in the end it is a good result to be proud of. It was tough in the big storm. I don't mind telling you we were down below for a time just ready for whatever was going to happen, lifejackets on, harnesses on, but the thing is it was so bad outside I don't know what we would have done.”

Mike Golding (GBR) Mike Golding Yacht Racing:

“ The mast is still up, the keel is still on and we are in relatively good shape, with a good result. I think that it is the same for all us top three boats here. We are all boats who were in the Vendée Globe, and for one reason or another were knocked out of the Vendée Globe, so for all of us it is a nice feeling to exorcise that demon.”

“ In the scheme of things it was a pretty tough race, obviously we were going to be challenged from the outset. We looked at the southerly option and we came to the conclusion it was not a go-er in terms of competitiveness. The reality is it was downgraded but the reality was it was pretty horrible, but after that it was pretty fast and furious. We had some technical problems which hindered us a little bit more, but overall very pleased to be here, pleased to be third.”

“ We are maybe a little disappointed. As we came out of the bad weather we were in great place to do better than that, but we had a few technical problems on boat with instrumentation on board and progressively started to lose little mile, and then we were in worse cycle where the boats ahead were into stronger cycle all the time and they were damage on us but also on the whole fleet and now you have a very big time split.”

“ The last bit was a little frustrating. Michel Desjoyeaux is just behind us, you are very aware that the boat coming from behind has the upper hand because he can see what you are doing and choose to do something different. In reality it was a very big margin, so it would have been pretty amazing if he had got past, but you can never say never in sailing. We kind of made to go stealth for the last bit, just in case it went really sticky here at the entrance, so he just wouldn't know where we were. But, what the hell, I did not see how he was going to come back from that kind of deficit.”

“ It is a good result for Javier and I. We were literally thrown together in the last weeks for the preparation before the race. So for both of us it is a good result. We had no training time. The boat has not sailed this summer, the shore time did a great job in the preparation in the time scale, but we just had not put the time in on the water. So you lok at Groupe Bel and Safran and you see two good boats which are rightful first and second. They are well sailed, great teams and good boats. But we know in another world we could have done better but third for us is a good result.”

“ The storm in fact did not look too bad. On the files it looked downgraded but in fact we had sustained 50 and the highest wind speeds we saw was 67 before our wind gear all snapped, it was pretty windy. You see storms like that in the Southern Ocean but you are going downwind, and going upwind is pretty crazy in these boats. We took quite a bold decision to push through in the north , we did not take too many risks and we were pretty careful with the boat, but the damage we sustained, the wind gear and stuff like that you can't really avoid. It was a very storm, very bad. Very long. That seemed to go on for ever. We were rigged and ready, lifejackets on, harnesses on, ready to go and do whatever we needed to do, although who know what you would have done in those conditions, but we were already to do whatever we would have needed to do. But really no much did because of the way we had set up the boat prior to the storm, one of the big difficulties was trying to monitor the boat, trying to sail close hauled, which normally you can do with the wind instruments, but with none you have to avoid an accidental tack which would be devastation.”

“ In the big long drag race after the storm, Groupe Bel and Safran started to pull away, and we had some technical problems and that was part of it, but we were trying everything. We were hand steering all the time, but I was seeing the weather files and they had two knots pressure all the time. You kind of have to think that there is nothing wrong with your boats speed because we were doing exactly the same to the boats behind. So the reality is it was just expansion an compression. I don't think, boat speed wise, we have a problem. Upwind and downwind this boat is quick, it is a polyvalent boat. It is good at everything but not brilliant at one thing.”

“Both Safran and Groupe Bel are good boats. I think they did a great job. Safran in particular sailed a superb race, tactically they were right on the money. And they were very consistent and just did not seem to have any down days. You always assume you are the only one with problems, but the reality is probably half the boats who went through that storm came out with some kind of problems.”

Transat Jacques Vabre