The Mauritius Regatta: Michel Desjoyeaux leads. Image copyright The Mauritius Regatta
by Coralie Rassinoux
For the third racing day in the Mauritius Regatta, the Northern Islands of Mauritius were the background to a fierce battle!
Michel Desjoyeaux onboard Champagnes Nicolas Feuillatte crossed the start line moored in front of Hotel 20° Sud first. He proved once again his great racing experience by leading at the first mark in Grand Baie. The catamarans battled on under spinnaker colouring the magnificent backdrop of Mauritius.
The second mark moored by the Grand Baie Yacht Club was the start of a long tack offshore to round Île Plate and Coin de Mire. The skippers were able to tackle the waves of the Indian Ocean. On the way back, the deed seemed done but once again, Vendée Globe double-winner, Michel Desjoyeaux, then in second place crossed the coral reef by using a tricky channel. His brilliant manoeuvre allowed him to steal first place from François Gabart followed by the rest of the fleet.
The girls’ team showed great energy today and tenacity as they encountered a few technical problems. Their local crew had to climb the mast to fix the mainsail hook. But high spirits remain good onboard!
21/05/2013 - Ranking
1. CHAMPAGNES NICOLAS FEUILLATTE Michel DESJOYEAUX
2. LA BALISE MARINA / INVESTEC Romain ATTANASIO
3. SOL’S François GABART
4. FONDEOLE Franck-Yves ESCOFFIER
5. YACHT MANAGEMENT Harry SPEDDING
6. MTPA (female boat) Dee CAFFARI
Provisional overall ranking
1. CHAMPAGNES NICOLAS FEUILLATTE Michel DESJOYEAUX
2. SOL’S François GABART
3. LA BALISE MARINA / INVESTEC Romain ATTANASIO
4. FONDEOLE Franck-Yves ESCOFFIER
5. YACHT MANAGEMENT Harry SPEDDING
6. MTPA (bateau féminin) Dee CAFFARI
The Mauritius Regatta
