D35 SUI 4 (Zen Too) lining up before the start of the Genève-Rolle-Genève. Image copyright Loris von Siebenthal/MyImage.
by Delia Collardi (in translation)
With 20 knots of wind on average, the winner of the Decision 35s failed to beat the race record. It was by 4 small minutes that Okalys-Corum, helmed by Loïc Peyron missed this reference time. Behind, Alinghi SUI 1, of Ernesto Bertarelli, and Alinghi SUI 6 completed the podium.
The fleet of D35s left the Yacht Club de Genève at 14h00 heading for Rolle. The multihulls had differing strategy on the usage of the sails. Today with winds of more than 25 knots at times, it was necessary to find a compromise between power and pure driving of the catamarans.
In 2H and 23 minutes, Okalys-Corum missed the record. However, that did not displease Nicolas Grange at all: "We are happy, this is the third time that we have won this race and that is very interesting before the Bol d'Or, in contrast to what certain others say. The battle was persistent. We had to sail defensively against Alinghi SUI 1, but all while not losing any view of the remainder of the boats."
Ladycat of Dona Bertarelli Spaeth left in the lead with a reduced sail surface, a reef in the mainsail, while its direct assailants, Smathome of Christian Michel and Zebra 7, helmed by Loïc Peyron sailed with full sail. Surprising the navigators, these minutes of overcharge were very delicate for all. Smarthome capsized in front of Le Point d'Yvoire.
Pierre-Yves Jorand comments on the new duel: "Today, there were two scuffles. The first one was against the elements that were particularly wild on one part of the course! There were stormy lines that decimated some boats. Next, there was a superb race between Alinghi Sui 1, Okalys-Corum, Foncia and Alinghi SUI 6. This was an extraordinary day." Alinghi SUI 6 finished in front of Foncia skippered by Alain Gautier and climbs to the third one rank of the podium.
Banque Populaire, helmed by Paques Bidégorry, finished just behind Foncia, in fifth. The youngsters of Zebra 7 finished in 6th place followed by Julius Baer, helmed by Philippe Cardis, in 7th place. Helmed by Franck Cammas, the multihull of Guy de Picciotto, Zen Too finished in 8th place, just in front of Ladycat, in 9th. Veltigroup of Marco Simeoni, helmed by Steve Ravussin, finished in 10th place and capsized at the end of the race, after a team member fell into the water. In 11th, Romandie.com, helmed by Fred Moura completes the list of the Decisions 35.
In the overall results, Okalys-Corum is in front of Alinghi SUI 1, but on equal points. Foncia, rediscovers the third place on the podium. One notes the ascent of Zebra 7 to seventh place and the one of Banque Populaire to ninth place.
Do not miss June 13, the Bol d'Or Mirabaud, which is the fourth stage of the Challenge Julius Baer 2009, starting at 10h00!
Results of the Genève-Rolle-Genève 2009
1. SUI-2 Okalys-Corum 1PT
2. SUI-1 Alinghi SUI 1 2PTS
3. SUI-6 Alinghi SUI 6 3PTS
4. SUI-5 Foncia 4PTS
5. SUI-12 Banque Populaire 5PTS
6. SUI-7 Zebra 7 6PTS
7. SUI-3 Julius-Baer 7PTS
8. SUI-4 Zen Too 8PTS
9. SUI-10 Ladycat 9PTS
10. SUI-11 Veltigroup 10PTS
11. SUI-8 Romandie.com 11PTS
DNF SUI-9 Smarthome 13PTS
Current Overall Results of the Challenge Julius Baer 2009
1. SUI-2 Okalys-Corum 3PTS
2. SUI-1 Alinghi SUI 1 3PTS
3. SUI-5 Foncia 8PTS
4. SUI-6 Alinghi SUI 6 9PTS
5. SUI-3 Julius-Baer 10PTS
6. SUI-4 Zen Too 13PTS
7. SUI-7 Zebra 7 15PTS
8. SUI-12 Banque Populaire 16PTS
9. SUI-11 Veltigroup 17PTS
10. SUI-10 Ladycat 17PTS
11. SUI-9 Smarthome 23PTS
12. SUI-8 Romandie.com 23PTS
Challenge Julius Baer
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