Buddy Melges Challenge: Souter (AUS) Defeats Osborne (NZL) in Finals

Souter (AUS) defeats Osborne (NZL) 3-1 in the finals of the Buddy Melges Challenge 2010. Image copyright Dayne Sharp.

by WIMRA media

A spectacular day of sun and wind on Lake Michigan was a pleasant change from yesterday’s rain, fog, rolling waves and light air. The semi finals, petit finals, and finals were sailed in a shifty westerly breeze of 8-15 knots which produced lots of tactical maneuvering on the race course.

The reigning World Champions - Nicky Souter, Nina Curtis, and Olivia Price - have won the 2010 Buddy Melges Challenge by defeating the defending champions, Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal, and Susannah Pyatt, 3-1 in the finals.

Final Standings:
1 Nicky Souter, Nina Curtis, Olivia Price (AUS)
2 Samantha Osborne, Raynor Smeal, Susannah Pyatt (NZL)
3 Sally Barkow, Suzy Leech, Elizabeth Kratzig (USA)
4 Lotte Meldgaard Susanne Boidin, Aimee Famularo (DEN)
5 Mandy Mulder, Merel Witteveen, Annemiek Bekkering (NED)
6 Katie Spithill , Jessica Eastwell, Angela Farrell (AUS)
7 Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer, Debbie Capozzi (USA)
8 Genny Tulloch, Alice Manard, Jenn Chamberlin (USA)
9 Katie Abbott, Caroline Kaars-Sijpesteijn, Joanne Prokop (CAN)
10 Ru Wang, Ni Xiao Wen, Li Xiao Ni (CHN)
11 Juliana Senfft, Gabriela Sa, Adriana Kostiw (BRA)
12 Juliana Mota, Daniela Adler, Larissa Juk (BRA)
13 Maggie Shea, Jennifer Wilson, Stephanie Roble (USA)
14 Maeghan Ruhlman, Abby Rowlands, Megan Riddle (UA)
15 Anne Marie Shewfelt, Liana Giovando, Sarah Foscarini (CAN)

Buddy Melges Challenge

WMRT: Blackmatch clinch Danish Open title to get World Championship hopes well back on track

Victory! Throwing our local talent Jonas Hviid-Nielsen into the Baltic. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/WMRT.

by David Swete

Today we managed to get the single win needed against Francesco Bruni to take out the semi final 3 nil, before going on to win a gruelling Final against a rampant Torvar Mirsky 3-2, to become the 2010 Danish Open Champions. Torvar and his Western Australian team had earlier sailed an amazing semi final to win 3 races in a row and take out a miraculous comeback victory over Mathieu Richard, so we knew it would be a tough final.

At two wins apiece the final race was a cliffhanger and after trailing for most of the finale, we made our move half way up the second beat to cross mere metres in front of Mirsky and sail away from then on to take the victory.


Adam squares off with Torvar. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/WMRT.

After four terrible regatta's in the DK37's we thought that we were doing something very very wrong, so it was great to break the curse and nail a win here in Bornholm. Not only was it great to get our 5th World Match Racing Tour win but it also has helped us out immensely on the overall 2010 World Tour standings. We now trail 2010's 'bolter' Mathieu Richard by 17 points, while a good result in our next regatta in Bermuda will put us right back on his tail going into the final event in Malaysia. Our win here has also helped us to maintain our ISAF World Number 1 Ranking.


Taking cover from the champagne under the winners' cheque! Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/WMRT.

We would again like to say a special thank you to our sponsors FedEx Express and Events Clothing/Line 7. Owen Rutter from Events Clothing has supplied us with new sailing gear this season, keeping the boys looking very sharp. The ongoing support of our sponsors is helping make this opportunity possible for the BlackMatch boys and we would also like to thank Emirates Team New Zealand and Steinlager Pure.

BlackMatch Racing this week is Adam Minoprio, Dan McLean, Tom Powrie, David Swete, Nick Blackman and local boy Jonas Frank Hviid-Nielsen.

BlackMatch Racing
World Match Racing Tour

Trophée Clairefontaine: Loïck Peyron Triumphs at La Grande Motte

The victorious crew on the water: From left to right, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant, Loïck Peyron and Gilles André, win the 21st Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile at La Grande Motte. This is the eigth victory in this event by Loïck Peyron. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

by Sophie Grimaud

Loïck Peyron marked the history of the Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile by winning this unique event the world over for the eighth time in his career. Already champion in 1990 during the first Trophée Clairefontaine, Loïck Peyron celebrated the twentieth anniversary of this competition by arriving ahead of Franck Cammas and Pascal Bidégorry. Loïck Peyron won the much coveted title of Champion of Champions at La Grande Motte, following Franck Cammas in 2009.

The 21st Trophée Clairefontaine was marked by the duel between Franck Cammas and Loïck Peyron. Non-stop, they exchanged the position of leader before Loïck Peyron snatched the title from him to win. However, Franck Cammas won the highest number of legs, with one Open Race and two Runs to his name. Loïck Peyron won two Runs. Luc Dubois (Team Alinghi - Switzerland) also won one Run, as did Armel Le Cléac'h, Michel Desjoyeaux and Pascal Bidégorry, totalling six winners out of eight champions.


Racing on the last day of the Trophée Clairefontaine 2010. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

The breeze wavered between force 1 and 3. Moreover a few gusts were felt at La Grande Motte, but also moments of devastating calm, which got the play underway again. In reality the eight champions all enjoyed a moment of glory, since they all took the leading position at least once.

Nicolas Charbonnier enjoyed some successful play and he even came very close to a victory in the eighth leg. However, this time, Michel Desjoyeaux sailed faultlessly and did leave him any opportunity. The presence of Serge Madec was a nice reference to the history of this competition. He was the first to win this unusual race. He enjoyed some good play, even when the wind was mischievous.

The Trophée Clairefontaine has demonstrated, once again, that this unique type of race the world over, uniting champions from different international sailing disciplines, is a recipe for success. It has not aged in twenty years, on the contrary. The suspense is complete, the atmosphere is intense and it is a wonderful show for the general public. Everything is done, down to the smallest details, to ensure that children and adults become fascinated by these battles so close to the stands.

This twentieth anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the loyalty of Papeteries de Clairefontaine (Clairefontaine Stationery), partner of the Trophée des Champions® since it began, in 1990. Thanks to this family company, backed by the Fédération Française de Voile (French Sailing Federation), we have celebrated 67 champions of different nationality in twenty years. In the image of Loïck Peyron and his eight victories, it is a fine record.


Champagne wars on the podium. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

Overall Ranking (nine legs):
1- Loïck Peyron, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant & Gilles André (3,2,1,2,3,1,5,6,2), 63 pts ;
2- Franck Cammas, Tanguy Cariou & Christophe Espagnon (1,5,2,1,1,5,6,4,6), 57 pts ;
3- Pascal Bidégorry, Xavier Revil & Damien Guillou (6,3,3,4,2,6,2,5,1), 53 pts ;
4- Michel Desjoyeaux, François Gabart & Antoine Gautier (2,4,5,8,5,4,3,1,4), 48 pts ;
5- Luc Dubois, Pierre-Yves Jorand & Yves Detrey - Team Alinghi (Sui.) (4,1,4,6,4,7,4,3,3), 47 pts ;
6- Nicolas Charbonnier, Olivier Bausset & Christophe André (5,6,7,3,DSQ,2,8,2,5), 35 pts ;
7- Armel Le Cléac'h, Fabien Delahaye & Nicolas Bérenger (7,7,6,5,7,3,1,7,7), 33 pts ;
8- Serge Madec, Arthur Le Vaillant & Mathieu Fountaine (8,8,8,7,6,8,7,8,8), 13 pts

In French:

Loïck Peyron marque l'histoire du Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile en remportant cette épreuve unique au monde pour la huitième fois de sa carrière. Déjà champion en 1990 lors du premier Trophée Clairefontaine, Loïck Peyron célèbre donc les vingt ans de cette compétition en devançant Franck Cammas et Pascal Bidégorry. Loïck Peyron s'adjuge le titre très convoité de "Champion des Champions" à La Grande Motte, après Franck Cammas en 2009.


What victory means to Loick Peyron. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

Le XXIe Trophée Clairefontaine a été marqué par le duel Franck Cammas - Loïck Peyron. Ils se sont sans cesse échangés le rôle de leader avant que Loïck Peyron ne s'adjuge le titre à l'arraché. Toutefois, Franck Cammas a remporté le plus grand nombre de manches, avec un Raid et deux Runs à son actif. Loïck Peyron a remporté deux Runs. Luc Dubois (Team Alinghi - Suisse) a gagné un Run lui aussi, tout comme Armel Le Cléac'h, Michel Desjoyeaux et Pascal Bidégorry. Soit six vainqueurs sur huit champions.

La brise a oscillé entre force 1 et 3. Eole a d'ailleurs soufflé sur La Grande Motte quelques bonnes rafales, mais aussi des calmes ravageurs qui relancèrent plus d'une fois le jeu. En réalité, les huit champions ont tous eu le plaisir d'un moment de gloire, car tous se sont retrouvés au moins une fois en position de leader.

Nicolas Charbonnier a réussi de belles phases de jeu et il est même passé très près d'une victoire dans la huitième manche. Mais, cette fois-là, Michel Desjoyeaux réalisait un sans faute qui ne lui laissait aucune chance. La présence de Serge Madec était un clin d'oeil sympathique à l'histoire de cette compétition. C'est en effet le premier vainqueur de la spécialité. Il s'est offert quelques belles phases de jeu, même lorsque le vent était taquin.


Racing on the last day of the Trophée Clairefontaine 2010. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

Le Trophée Clairefontaine a démontré, une fois encore, que cette formule unique au monde qui réunit des champions de disciplines différentes de la voile internationale est une recette à succès. Elle n'a pas pris une ride en vingt ans, bien au contraire. Le suspens est total, l'ambiance est intense et le spectacle est complet pour le plus large public. Tout est fait, dans les moindres détails, pour que petits et grands se passionnent pour ces batailles navales à proximité de tribunes naturelles.

Ce vingtième anniversaire est l'occasion de célébrer la fidélité des Papeteries de Clairefontaine, le partenaire de ce Trophée des Champions® depuis son origine, en 1990. Cette entreprise familiale, assistée par la Fédération Française de Voile, a donc permis de fêter 67 champions de onze nationalités différentes en vingt ans. A l'image de Loïck Peyron et de ses huit victoires, c'est un joli record...


Loick and crew with the Trophée Clairefontaine. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

Classement général (neuf manches) :
1- Loïck Peyron, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant & Gilles André (3,2,1,2,3,1,5,6,2), 63 pts ;
2- Franck Cammas, Tanguy Cariou & Christophe Espagnon (1,5,2,1,1,5,6,4,6), 57 pts ;
3- Pascal Bidégorry, Xavier Revil & Damien Guillou (6,3,3,4,2,6,2,5,1), 53 pts ;
4- Michel Desjoyeaux, François Gabart & Antoine Gautier (2,4,5,8,5,4,3,1,4), 48 pts ;
5- Luc Dubois, Pierre-Yves Jorand & Yves Detrey - Team Alinghi (Sui.) (4,1,4,6,4,7,4,3,3), 47 pts ;
6- Nicolas Charbonnier, Olivier Bausset & Christophe André (5,6,7,3,DSQ,2,8,2,5), 35 pts ;
7- Armel Le Cléac'h, Fabien Delahaye & Nicolas Bérenger (7,7,6,5,7,3,1,7,7), 33 pts ;
8- Serge Madec, Arthur Le Vaillant & Mathieu Fountaine (8,8,8,7,6,8,7,8,8), 13 pts

Trophée Clairefontaine

Trophée Clairefontaine: Loïck Peyron Wins 21st Edition

Loïck Peyron Wins 21st Edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

by Sophie Grimaud (in translation by SailRaceWin)

Loïck Peyron and his crew, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant and Gilles André won the XXIst edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile, marking this as their eighth victory in this competition after those in 1995, '96, '97, '98, '99, 2000 and 2005. Franck Cammas finished second, in front of Pascal Bidégorry, who got up on the third step of the podium.

Loïck Peyron won two of the nine races held, two of which were in the form of 'Raids' and seven as 'Runs', in La Grande Motte's nautical stadium, in front of a compact crowd massed on the transformed dyke at different levels.

In French:

Loïck Peyron et ses équipiers, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant et Gilles André, remportent le XXIe Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile, signant de ce fait leur huitième victoire dans cette compétition après celles acquises en 1995, 96, 97, 98, 99, 2000 et 2005. Franck Cammas termine deuxième, devant Pascal Bidégorry, qui monte sur la troisième marche du podium.

Loïck Peyron a remporté deux manches sur les neuf courues, deux sous forme de Raids et sept en Runs sur le stade nautique de La Grande Motte, face à une foule compacte massée sur la digue transformée en gradins naturels.


Racing for the Trophée Clairefontaine. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/SailingOne.

Classement général définitif (neuf manches):

1- Loïck Peyron, 63 pts (3,2,1,2,3,1,5,6,2)
2- Franck Cammas, 57 pts (1,5,2,1,1,5,6,4,6)
3- Pascal Bidégorry, 53 pts (6,3,3,4,2,6,2,5,1)
4- Michel Desjoyeaux, 48 pts (2,4,5,8,5,4,3,1,4)
5- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (Sui.), 47 pts (4,1,4,6,4,7,4,3,3)
6- Nicolas Charbonnier, 35 pts (5,6,7,3,DSQ,2,8,2,5)
7- Armel Le Cléac'h, 33 pts (7,7,6,5,7,3,1,7,7)
8- Serge Madec, 13 pts (8,8,8,7,6,8,7,8,8)

Trophée Clairefontaine

WMRT: MRT Second at Danish Open

by Kinley Fowler

After one of the tightest finals series in a long time, MRT finish 2nd in the Danish Open.

Going into the day MRT were down 2-0 to the unstoppable Mathieu Richard and his Saba Sailing Team, but with their backs up against the wall they managed to fight back in a nail biting series to win 3-2 and qualify for the final.

In the other semi final, Adam Minoprio's BlackMatch Racing took victory over Team Azzura from Italy in straight sets, so the stage was set for another exciting finals between the two youngest team's on the Tour.

And what a series it was, going to the full 5 matches as the two teams took turns to snatch victory, the last of which went to BlackMatch Racing.

MRT were leading the majority of the final race, but close to the top mark, a left shift came down the course and gave Minoprio just enough of an advantage to cross MRT. From there, they defended their lead and went on to take the trophy.

FINAL RESULTS

1st Adam Minoprio - BlackMatch Racing
2nd Torvar Mirsky - Mirsky Racing Team
3rd Mathieu Richard - Saba Sailing Team
4th Francesco Bruni - Team Azzura
5th Bjorn Hansen - Hansen Global Team
6th Peter Gilmour - Yanmar Racing
7th Ben Ainslie - Team Origin
8th Bertrand Pace - Aleph Sailing Team
9th Mads Ebler - Ebler Matchracing
10th William Tiller - Full Metal Jacket Racing
11th Susanne Ward - Team Ward
12th Michael Buckley - MB Sailing

Mirsky Racing Team
World Match Racing Tour

NEWSFLASH: Minoprio (NZL) Takes Danish Open

Loick Peyron wins his 8th Trophée Clairefontaine at La Grande Motte, France

by SailRaceWin

In racing which went down to the wire in a last deciding match, in fading breeze, Minoprio (NZL) and Mirsky (AUS) fought out the finals of the Danish Open match race 2010. The decider race saw Mirsky with a slight advantage off the starting line but, in lower pressure on the second beat, Minoprio was able to seize the opportunity and get ahead; a lead he did not relinquish. BlackMatch Racing achieved an awesome victory over their long-standing Aussie rivals, to win the Danish Open 2010.

In thrilling petit-finals, which saw a dead heat in the 'decider' third race between Mathieu Richard (FRA) and Francesco Bruni (ITA), Richard led the fourth race to the finishing line, while carrying a penalty. He just managed to squeeze in taking the penalty and cross the line before Bruni, to win the petit-final.

Peyron takes his 8th Trophée Clairefontaine Victory

Meanwhile, at La Grande Motte in France, after the first day's advantage to Franck Cammas, Loick Peyron (4 points behind at the end of day one) managed to overcome his younger rival and take his eighth victory in the Trophée Clairefontaine; an event in which he has competed in all 21 editions of the annual competition.

Trophée Clairefontaine: Advantage to Franck Cammas after 5 Races

Start in front of the port of La Grande Motte. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/TCE.

by Sophie Grimaud

Saturday evening, Franck Cammas took the leading position in the temporary overall ranking of the 21st Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile, ahead of Loïck Peyron and Pascal Bidégorry. Five legs were raced in the Sailing Stadium, two of which were coastal Open Races and three Runs, under a wavering wind between force 2 and 3. The race is still open, since five champions out of eight can still hope for a win at the end. The title of "Champion of Champions" will therefore be fought for during the four Runs programmed between 14:30 and 16:00 tomorrow.

The first Open Race of the Trophée Clairefontaine was first dominated by Michel Desjoyeaux. Then Franck Cammas became increasingly insistent. He took advantage of a section of the course obstructed by weekend fishing boats, near a course marker, to make his attack which hit home. Once in the lead, Franck Cammas forged ahead and completed the first Open Race of the day as winner on the finish line located in the harbour of La Grande Motte.


Just after the start at La Grande Motte. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/TCE.

The wind was stronger in the early afternoon for the second Open Race. Pascal Bidégorry got away towards the open sea in leading position, followed by the Swiss Team Alinghi crew, with Luc Dubois at the helm. In the long run towards the marker in front of Port Camargue, Luc Dubois accelerated taking the lead. Loïck Peyron was also lying in ambush and in turn overtake Pascal Bidégorry. The positions remained unchanged, while at the back of the pack Franck Cammas battled to avoid losing too many points in what looked to be a counter-performance for the title holder. He hung onto his place by finishing in fifth position. Loïck Peyron became the leader of the temporary ranking.

The Runs started as the wind began to fall, which enabled Loïck Peyron to come back with a fine victory and establish his domination. Franck Cammas attacked the fourth regatta with an obvious desire to set the record straight - HIS record, to be precise. He was dominating the leg and Pascal Bidégorry orchestrated a duel with Loïck Peyron by sailing between the two champions, in second place in the fourth regatta of the day.


Racing in front of the port of La Grande Motte. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/TCE.

So Loïck Peyron and Franck Cammas began the fifth leg with equal points, still on a RUN course in the Sailing Stadium lined with a dense crowd. The suspense was perfect. During the first half of the course, Loïck Peyron managed to get between the stern of a contender and the bow of Franck Cammas. However on rounding a marker, when the eight champions were grouped together, Franck Cammas got away into the lead. He won a third victory in five legs and took the leading position.

Provisional general ranking after five legs:
1- Franck Cammas (1,5,2,1,1), 42 pts ;
2- Loïck Peyron (3,2,1,2,3), 38 pts ;
3- Pascal Bidégorry (6,3,3,4,2), 28 pts ;
4- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (CH) (4,1,4,6,4), 28 pts ;
5- Michel Desjoyeaux (2,4,5,8,5), 22 pts ;
6- Nicolas Charbonnier (5,6,7,3,DSQ), 14 pts ;
7- Armel Le Cléac'h (7,7,6,5,7), 13 pts ;
8- Serge Madec (8,8,8,7,6), 8 pts.


Racing in front of the public on the edge of La Grande Motte. Image copyright Jean-Marie Liot/TCE.

In French:

Franck Cammas s'installe ce soir à La Grande Motte en tête du classement général provisoire du XXIe Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile, devant Loïck Peyron et Pascal Bidégorry. Cinq manches ont été courues, dont deux Raids côtiers et trois Runs sur le stade nautique, par un vent oscillant entre force 2 et force 3. Le jeu demeure ouvert, car cinq champions sur huit peuvent encore prétendre à la victoire finale. Le titre de "Champion des Champions" se jouera donc demain au gré des quatre Runs programmés de 14h30 à 16h00.

Le premier Raid du Trophée Clairefontaine a d'abord été dominé par Michel Desjoyeaux. Ensuite, Franck Cammas se faisait de plus en plus pressant. Il profitait d'une partie du parcours encombrée par des pêcheurs plaisanciers, près d'une bouée du parcours, pour porter une attaque qui fit mouche. Une fois aux commandes, Franck Cammas accroissait son avance et bouclait le premier Raid du jour en vainqueur sur la ligne d'arrivée située dans le port de La Grande Motte.

Le vent était plus soutenu en début d'après-midi pour le deuxième Raid. Pascal Bidégorry s'échappait vers le large en leader, poursuivi par l'équipage suisse du Team Alinghi, avec Luc Dubois à la barre. Dans le long trajet vers la bouée devant Port Camargue, Luc Dubois accélérait et prenait la tête des opérations. Loïck Peyron était lui aussi en embuscade et il doublait à son tour Pascal Bidégorry. Les positions demeuraient inchangées, tandis qu'en queue de peloton Franck Cammas bataillait pour éviter de perdre trop de points dans ce qui s'annonçait comme une contre-performance pour le tenant du titre. Il sauvait l'essentiel en cinquième position. Loïck Peyron devenait leader du classement provisoire.

Les Runs ont démarré dans un vent faiblissant, qui permettait à Loïck Peyron de signer une belle victoire et d'asseoir sa domination. Franck Cammas attaquait la quatrième régate avec une volonté évidente de remettre les pendules à l'heure. A SON heure, plus exactement. Il dominait la manche et Pascal Bidégorry orchestrait son duel avec Loïck Peyron en s'intercalant entre les deux champions, à la deuxième place de cette quatrième régate du jour.

Loïck Peyron et Franck Cammas entamaient donc la cinquième manche avec une parfaite égalité de points, toujours sur le parcours d'un RUN sur le stade nautique bordé d'une foule compacte. Suspense idéal. Pendant la première moitié du parcours, Loïck Peyron réussissait à intercaler un concurrent entre son tableau arrière et les étraves de Franck Cammas. Mais au passage d'une bouée où les huit champions se présentaient groupés, Franck Cammas s'extirpait en tête. Il remportait une troisième victoire en cinq manches et s'installait aux commandes.

Classement général provisoire après cinq manches :
1- Franck Cammas (1,5,2,1,1), 42 pts ;
2- Loïck Peyron (3,2,1,2,3), 38 pts ;
3- Pascal Bidégorry (6,3,3,4,2), 28 pts ;
4- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (Sui.) (4,1,4,6,4), 28 pts ;
5- Michel Desjoyeaux (2,4,5,8,5), 22 pts ;
6- Nicolas Charbonnier (5,6,7,3,DSQ), 14 pts ;
7- Armel Le Cléac'h (7,7,6,5,7), 13 pts ;
8- Serge Madec (8,8,8,7,6), 8 pts.

Trophée Clairefontaine