Extreme Sailing Series Europe: Day 1 in Sète - Guichard on top, just!

At the resort of Sète on the south coast of France, the first event of the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series got underway today. There was sunshine and there was breeze, although it proved unreliable in both direction and strength but enough to see the Extreme 40 hulls flying and generating some great pace on the downwind legs


Groupe Edmond de Rotheschild, skippered by Yann Guichard, was first after the fírst day of racing. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

by Emily Caroe

At the resort of Sète on the south coast of France, the first event of the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series got underway today. There was sunshine and there was breeze, although it proved unreliable in both direction and strength but enough to see the Extreme 40 hulls flying and generating some great pace on the downwind legs.


The Wave, Muscat, as seen from ECOVER. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

The eight teams of world-class sporting calibre competed in three longer-course races on this non-public day here in Sète, allowing the teams to stretch their legs for the first time. It was not a perfect day to gauge the teams' form, and this was reflected in the varying results posted on the leaderboard.

Video of Yann Guichard on Day 1 in Sète:



Nonetheless, Yann Guichard's Groupe Edmond de Rothschild scored a 1st, 6th and 2nd to leave them top of the leaderboard.


The Ocean Racing Club, skippered by Mitch Booth, was second overall after three races on day one. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Mitch Booth, co-creator of the Extreme 40 class and no stranger to this type of racing, put in a great performance on brand new entry The Ocean Racing Club with a 4th, 1st and 6th putting them in second place overall: "Yeah it was a difficult day, in a few races we were back but with those sort of conditions it's not over until it's over," he laughed. "We just kept fighting all day, trying to take every shift. We got a few lucky ones but a few unlucky ones too! But it was a good day we are pretty happy with the results, the teamwork is good, the boat speed is okay and we're looking forward to a good regatta."


First day of racing in Sète. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Defending champions, Oman Sail Masirah, had a day of mixed fortunes benefiting from a major wind shift in race 1 to go from last to second! But their luck didn't hold and a 7th and 5th leaves them in 6th place on the overall leaderboard. The fastest man around the planet, Franck Cammas on his Groupama 40, scored a good victory in the final race today allowing them to scrape into third overall ahead of Paul Campbell-James' team on The Wave, Muscat.


Team GAC Pindar crossing Oman Sail Masirah. Image copyright Thierry Seray/DPPI/OC Events.

The Red Bull Extreme Sailing team were in the mix throughout the day, scoring a 3rd and a 2nd, but a disappointing last place in the final race dropped them into 5th place. Mike Golding's Ecover, now helmed by Leigh McMillan, were also in the fray but problems with their rudder kicking up, and staying up in race 2, cost them dearly. Rallying in the last race with a podium third-place, ensured they ticked off on of the team's objectives on day one.


Action on the first day of the Extreme Sailing Series Europe. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Tomorrow will revert to the short, close combat racing this Extreme Sailing Series is renowned for to entertain the crowds here in Sète from Friday through to Sunday.


Groupe Edmond de Rotheschild, skippered by Yann Guichard, was first after the fírst day of racing. Image copyright Vincent Curutchet/DPPI/OC Events.

Extreme Sailing Series Europe