Barcelona World Race: Barcelona World Race entries Virbac-Paprec 3 and Foncia launched after arrival by ship from Caribbean

* Nearly half the Barcelona World Race fleet now in Barcelona.

* Work starts for the Virbac-Paprec 3 and Foncia shore teams.

* Barcelona World Race title holder Jean-Pierre Dick goes on a sailing holiday to relax pre-start!


Foncia and Virbac-Paprec 3 arrive in Barcelona, © Manuel Medir / Barcelona World Race

by Isabel Genís

At a little after 1000hrs (CET) on an uncharacteristically damp and cold Barcelona morning the cargo ship Olivia offloaded her precious cargo, the duo of IMOCA Open 60’s Foncia and Virbac Paprec 3, on schedule without a hitch.

This morning’s arrival of Jean-Pierre Dick’s Virbac-Paprec 3 and Michel Desjoyeaux’s Foncia directly from Martinique by ship brings the complement of IMOCA Open 60’s in Barcelona to seven.

That means almost half of the 15 boat fleet, which will take to the start line on 31st December for the Barcelona World Race, are making final preparations in the start city, and despite the chill, damp weather the atmosphere is definitely building.

Virbac-Paprec 3 and Foncia’s 10 day transatlantic delivery directly from the recent Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race saw them transferred immediately to the FNOB’s offshore sailing base where they will undergo various levels of work against a tight deadline to be ready for the two pairs of co-skippers, Dick and Loïck Peyron and Desjoyeaux and Francois Gabbart to be sailing as soon as possible.

“We have a few little modifications to do, nothing very big, just little changes to make.” Summarised Foncia’s Boat Captain Marc Liardet today, “But our key objective now is to have the boat sailing so that Michel and Francois can go sailing as soon as possible.”

Foncia’s objective is to be ready for the co-skippers to be sailing by 10th December


Foncia and Virbac-Paprec 3 arrive in Barcelona, © Miquel Casanelles / Barcelona World Race

Virbac-Paprec 3’s project manager Romain Ménard explained:

“There is no big refit considering the lack of time we have. Everything is fine. We will do some ultrasound inspections and we will change some sails because they have done quite a lot of miles, we change some of the standing rigging.”

Of the electrical problem which compromised some of Dick’s race he confirmed:
“ Actually we identified that there was some leaking which was letting some water into the battery box: and water electrical stuff is not good! What we have identified is that we need to keep it dry. We are not going to change the system at all. We sailed the boat from New Zealand for eight weeks to France. We were very happy with the system so there is no reason to change everything now. We won’t waste the work we have done or the advantages it gives.”

“For sure the Route du Rhum has been a very good training session for the Barcelona World Race, it was very important for us to do it as we prepare our title defence, for the battery for one thing, and also getting two weeks solid offshore is invaluable where you can improve.”

Dick, who won the first edition of the Barcelona World Race and recently finished fourth in the Route du Rhum, went straight from the finish in Guadeloupe to enjoy some recovery time prior to the start of the round the world race. The Barcelona Race race champion’s choice of holiday break? Seemingly he can’t keep away from the water and had been cruising in the Caribbean.

Barcelona World Race

Interview with Will Tiller, FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) Racing's Skipper (NZL)

Will Tiller, of FMJ Racing. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/www.myimage.com/WMRT

On finals day at the Telecom New Zealand Match Racing Championships, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, today, we have an interview from Anne Hinton who recently caught up with petite-finalist, and latest young Kiwi match racing skipper to take part in the World Match Racing Tour, Will Tiller, of FMJ Racing.

Tiller took part in the Danish Open on the World Match Racing Tour this year, beat Phil Robertson of Waka Racing to win the Warren Jones Regatta 2010, was (without his regular crew) runner-up to Josh Junior at the New Zealand Youth Match Racing Championships, RPNYC, Wellington, 2010. He has also won the Governor's Cup twice, and the Harken International Youth Match Racing on Sydney Harbour in 2010. Tiller is a graduate of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's Lion Foundation Youth Scheme.

AH: How, in what, and at what age, did you start sailing?

WT: I started sailing crewing for my dad in a Sunburst at the age of 6.

AH: What was your progression (e.g. P class/Starlings) through boats/events?

WT: After sailing in the Sunburst for a few years I moved into the Optimist and then progressed through P class, Starling.


Will Tiller leads fellow Kiwi, Phil Robertson, in the finals of the Warren Jones Regatta, Perth, 2010. Image copyright John Roberson.

AH: When did you do the RNZYS youth programme and get into match racing?

WT: I joined the youth programme at 16 and graduated after four years. In my first year I was on mainsheet before helming for three years.

AH: Which people/teams have you competed against a lot?

WT: I have most consistently raced Josh Junior, but other rivals would have to be Reuben Corbett and Phil Robertson.


Will Tiller leads Reuben Corbett across the finishing line at the Telecom New Zealand Match Racing Championships 2009. Image copyright RNZYS.

AH: Please could you mention key results throughout your sailing career?

WT: 1st 2009 & 2010 Governor’s Cup
1st CYCA Bavaria
1st Harken International Youth Match Racing 2010
1st Warren Jones Regatta 2010

AH: What university/career have you had alongside the sailing?

WT: I have completed my first year of engineering at Auckland University, but have put that on hold for now to sail as much as possible.

AH: What made you decide to take on match racing internationally?

WT: After getting a real feel for match racing from the youth programme, a few of us graduating got together and decided to form the team ‘FMJ’ and take on the world match racing scene.


Will Tiller, Harry Thurston and Shaun Mason with the Governor's Cup in 2010 - their second time of winning it. Image copyright Balboa Yacht Club.

AH: How do you see your sailing progressing into the future?

WT: For my sailing going into the future it’s all about working hard with our ‘FMJ’ team to get onto the world tour. I’m also really keen to do other racing off the match racing scene to make sure I don’t get to one dimensional.

AH: Of the major events – Olympics/Volvo/America’s Cup – which do you want to do (and why)?

WT: To race in the America’s Cup or the Volvo would be an awesome achievement and a huge challenge; either of these would be the pinnacle for me.

AH: What support have you had in your sailing?

WT: I have received a lot of support from my family all the way through my sailing which has been awesome.


Handshakes as Will Tiller, Harry Thurston and Shaun Mason celebrate winning the Governor's Cup for the second year in a row in 2010. They had decorated the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron label on the mainsail with heart stickers! Image copyright Balboa Yacht Club.

AH: Who have been the most influential people in your sailing?

WT: I would have to say my father, he got me into the sport and has been giving me advice from then on.

AH: Who do you most look up to in sailing in NZ/internationally, and why?

WT: Gavin Brady, I really look up to him because he came through the youth programme and has gone on to do great things with his yachting.

AH: What sponsors have you had in your sailing?

WT: Our main Sponsor has been Chris Meads who owns the yacht ‘Full Metal Jacket’ without him our match racing wouldn’t be possible so we are extremely grateful for his support.


Will Tiller (NZL) to windward of Bjorn Hansen (SWE) at the World Match Racing Tour's Danish Open 2010. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/www.myimage.com/WMRT

AH: How did you develop the sailing programme of training/events to compete in for 2010?

WT: This year was our first hit out on the international match racing scene, we learnt a lot and are looking forward to developing our team into the future. As a team at the beginning of the season we sat down and planned the regattas we wanted to compete in. From this we worked out what sort of training we were going to need to do, that being out on the water and in the gym.

AH: What have been the highlights of racing over the past year for you?

WT: Winning the Warren Jones at the start of this year would be the top highlight, but others would be 2nd at Young 88 Nats and defending our Governor’s Cup title.

AH: Who do you see as your main opposition in the NZ Match Racing Nationals 2010?

WT: Every race is going to be tough but Reuben, Phil and Josh will be hard to beat. [Note from SailRaceWin: Will was spot on here! Correct prediction of the semi-finalists prior to the event]


Will Tiller (NZL) versus Bjorn Hansen (SWE) in the World Match Racing Tour's Danish Open 2010. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/www.myimage.com/WMRT

AH: What plans do you have for racing in 2011?

WT: We are looking at continuing our match racing into 2011 with the goal of getting our ranking inside the top 20.

AH: What developments in the sport of sailing would you like to see in the future – in NZ and internationally?

WT: It would be awesome if the sport could develop more of a following from the public and was more media friendly.

AH: Many thanks for your time and all the best for your future sailing career

NB Interviews with Reuben Corbett of Black Sheep Racing, and Phil Robertson of Waka Racing - both also in the semi-finals of the Telecom New Zealand Match Racing Championships 2010 - are also available on the SailRaceWin website, by clicking on their names.

Bentley Geneve Match Race: Bertrand Pacé Wins

Bertrand Pacé remporte le BENTLEY GENEVE MATCH RACE




Bertrand Pacé with the trophy, thanking the organisers for the event. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

by Laurence Clerc

Cinq des meilleurs barreurs mondiaux étaient présents dans la rade de Genève ce week-end pour la 8ème édition du BENTLEY GENEVE MATCH RACE. Les marins chevronnés ont une nouvelle fois démontré tout leur art dans cette discipline où la maîtrise des règles de course prévaut. A l'issue de matchs d’une qualité hors du commun, c'est le français Bertrand Pacé qui confirme sa suprématie.


Close racing at the Bentley Geneve Match Race. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

Dès samedi matin, les airs permettent aux premières rencontres de s'effectuer à un rythme soutenu. Rappelons que la formule d'un "round robin" prévoit que chaque concurrent rencontre au moins une fois chacun de ses adversaires. Le vent forcit dès le milieu de journée et se stabilise pour atteindre la force de 18 à 20 noeuds. On entend alors claquer les voiles des Surprises engagés dans des duels sans pitié.

Le nombre de concurrents permet de boucler deux round robin complets, soit 10 matchs au total. Au terme de cette première partie, c'est clairement la valeur des équipages qui s'affirme. Les demi-finales se courent alors au meilleur des trois matchs. Grand favoris de la journée, c'est Bertrand Pacé qui termine devant Eric Monnin. Accompagné de l'équipage du Team Alinghi, le genevois Arnaud Psarofaghis mène ensuite devant l'australien Keith Swinton, vainqueur de la précédente édition.


Alinghi versus Black Swan Racing. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

Le ciel de dimanche se dégage sur le coup des 11 heures, laissant place à des conditions favorables pour lancer les premières manches. Comme à son habitude dans la discipline, les matchs se jouent serrés. La finale (1ère et 2ème place) démarre en même temps que la petite finale pour les 3ème et 4ème place. Les premiers à totaliser trois points sont gagnants. Au final, quatre matchs seulement sont courus et chaque finaliste se retrouve en avoir remporté deux. Un cinquième match ne pouvant être couru, le format de l'événement prévoit de départager les finalistes ex-aequo sur la base des résultats atteints à l'issue des deux Round Robins.

Classement final :
1. Bertrand Pacé /France
2. Eric Monnin / Suisse
3. Arnaud Psarofaghis / Suisse (équipage Alinghi)
4. Keith Swinton / Australie
5. Jérôme Clerc / Suisse (équipage du CER / Centre d'Entraînement à la Régate)


Bentley Geneve Match Race against the backdrop of Geneva and the Jet d'Eau. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

Commentaires :
Heureux vainqueur de l’événement, Bertrand Pacé revient sur sa deuxième expérience genevoise : "Très différente de la 1ère où nous avions eu froid avec une Bise très forte. Cette fois, c'était comme je m'y attendais avec des airs lacustres très changeants. Je suis très content d'avoir pu partir chaque fois du bon côté de la ligne et dans un bon timing. Tout est positif. L'organisation est parfaite, ce qui n'est pas toujours évident."

3ème et vainqueur de la petite finale, Arnaud Psarofaghis conclut sur son expérience avec Alinghi : "Nous avons effectué une très belle progression par rapport aux premiers matchs. C'est la première fois que je naviguais en Match Race avec des membres du Team Alinghi, Je suis très content de notre excellente coordination. Ca a bien fonctionné tant au niveau de la communication qu'au niveau des manoeuvres et je suis très satisfait de cette 3ème place."

Bentley Geneve Match Race

Bentley Geneve Match Race: Alinghi Finish Third

Arnaud Psarofaghis, Alinghi. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

by Paco Latorre

Alinghi's new match racing team with Arnaud Psarofaghis at the helm took third at last weekend's Bentley Geneva Match Race, behind Bertrand Pace and Eric Monnin. The group, including Alinghi America's Cup sailors Yves Detrey and Nils Frei, and fellow D35 sailor Tanguy Cariou, was match racing together for the first time and by the end of the three day event, Arnaud declared himself 'happy' with their third place: “We progressed very well throughout the event and given it is the first time I have match raced with members of the Alinghi team, I am really pleased with our excellent coordination. Our onboard communication worked well as did our manoeuvres and I am very happy with our ranking.”

After a light start on Friday, the breeze kicked in Saturday afternoon with 18-20 knots and the race committee was able to run two round robins and the semi-finals. Sunday saw the first to three point finals and petit finals caught short when the wind died and so the winner was decided based on the round robin results. Two-time America's Cup sailor, Nils Frei commented on their first outing as a group: “It was a good result considering this was our first match race with Arnaud on the helm. There is no doubt that he is talented and a fast learner with lots of potential.”

Ranking:
1. Bertrand Pacé /France
2. Eric Monnin / Switzerland
3. Arnaud Psarofaghis / Switzerland (Alinghi crew)
4. Keith Swinton / Australia
5. Jérôme Clerc / Switzerland

Alinghi
Bentley Geneve Match Race

Bentley Geneve Match Race: Semi-Final Loss for Black Swan Racing

Eric Monnin vs Keith Swinton in Geneva. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

by Keith Swinton

Just a quick update. Unfortunately we lost our semi-final to local sailor Eric Monnin.

"Conditions on the lake were very difficult. We managed to battle our way through the round robins to make the semi-final but still hadn't quite come to terms with sailing the boats to their maximum. Tomorrow we will sail off for 3rd place this will also provide us with more practice for our next event The Grade 1 Berlin Match Race in just over a week" Keith Swinton Black Swan Racing.

Black Swan Racing would like to thank our following supporters: South of Perth Yacht Club, Kerman Contracting, Westrac Pty Ltd - the Equipment Management Company, Abbotts PTY LTD Chartered Accountants, McNally Group PTY LTD, Musto Australia & Sweden

Black Swan Racing
Bentley Geneve Match Race

Bentley Geneve Match Race: Professional Match Racing in the Bay

« Des matchs de pro dans la rade »



by Laurence Clerc

Genève accueillera la 8ème édition du BENTLEY GENEVE MATCH RACE du vendredi 22 au dimanche 24 octobre 2010. Dix des meilleurs barreurs mondiaux seront là pour s´affronter dans des matchs de voile serrés qui leur permettront de remporter des points et gravir les échelons au classement annuel mondial de l´ISAF (équivalent au classement ATP pour le tennis).

Neuf skippers internationaux confirmés répondront présents à l´invitation de la Société Nautique de Genève pour venir disputer le BENTLEY GENEVE MATCH RACE. Le prestigieux événement de voile (grade 2) prévoit une série de matchs pour accéder en demi-finale puis en finale, le dimanche.

Le dixième skipper aura la chance d´être sélectionné à l´issue du week-end de Match Race précédent (16-17 octobre) puisqu´une place est attribuée au vainqueur de l´épreuve de sélection. Accédant ainsi au niveau des meilleurs, il aura l´occasion de venir s´essayer aux côtés des barreurs les plus affûtés du moment.

Au programme des festivités, le sponsor principal Bentley Genève - André Chevalley SA, présentera vendredi 22 octobre la nouvelle Bentley Continental GT, un modèle dévoilé la semaine précédente en première mondiale au Salon de Paris. Les dispositifs d´accueil prévus à cette occasion sont ouverts à tous publics désireux de venir admirer la dernière technologie dans une ambiance sportive détendue. Avis aux amateurs !

Barreurs annoncés :
- Keith Swinton /AUS (16ème ISAF, vainqueur de la dernière édition qui vient défendre son titre);
- Arnaud Psarofaghis /SUI (équipage «ALINGHI»);
- Eric Monnin / SUI (23ème ISAF, équipage du «CER»); - Philippe Presti /FRA (21ème ISAF);
- Bertrand Pacé /FRA (46ème ISAF)

Bentley Geneve Match Race

Bentley Geneve Match Race: Black Swan Racing To Defend Title At Bentley Geneva Match Race

Black Swan Racing at the Bentley Geneve Match Race 2009. Image copyright www.bgmr.ch / JF Hervo.

by Keith Swinton

We are back in action at the Bentley Geneva Match Race. Since our event in Helsinki the team have been spreading our skills across a number of other sailing opportunities. We are really happy to be back together and match racing. Last year we had a great regatta here on Lake Geneva, the conditions were quite varied, I am sure we will see similar again this year.

"Its great to be back in Geneva. It's going to be fun defending our title, they have a strong field here again this year including the French sailors Bertrand Pace and former winner Phillipe Presti. We have the same team as our last event in Helsinki where we finished strongly so we are confident." Keith Swinton Black Swan Racing.

For footage and interviews from last year's event click here.

Black Swan Racing would like to thank our following supporters: South of Perth Yacht Club, Kerman Contracting, Westrac Pty Ltd - The Equipment Management Company, Abbotts PTY LTD Chartered Accountants, McNally Group PTY LTD, Musto Australia & Sweden/ Trendmark.

Bentley Geneve Match Race
Black Swan Racing