One lap for the classics, two for the big boats, three races for the 5.5 and the Tofinou, two for the Dragons: a lot of action on the Bay of Cannes today, despite a very light northerly, not exceeding eight knots. Mid-way through the Régates Royales de Cannes, in most classes, victory is still there to grab.
Typical early autumn conditions on the Cote d’Azur, the day started with a cloudy sky and then, as hours went by, the sun came out and a light southerly built, before dying down again in the late afternoon. But the local organizers and the race officials, after a short postponement, opted for an almost windward/leeward course just off the beach of Cannes-La Bocca, with a long upwind leg towards, a mark turning and a downwind beat to La Napoule.
The 15 Metre Mariskawinning yet another duel with her bigger brother Cambria. In the other classes, the light wind conditions favoured those who managed to sail and manoeuvre well like Angelo Mazarella’s Carron II or Brendan Mc Carty's Rowdy, that jumped on the top of the provisional scoreboard.
The one-design and small Metre classes - Dragons and Tofinou- had their course set on the golfe Juan, that proved to be an even more complicated, tactically tough race area with light air and an uncomfortable sea state. The first race went to Russian Annatoly Loginov on Annapurna who managed to sail past the finish line just seconds before UK’s Yvan Bradbury on Blue Haze.
Behind them, four crews put up a fight for third place, with Germany’s Pedro Rebelo de Andrade on Pow Wow succeeding in crossing the line before his opponents Igor Goikmberg from Russia on Zenithand the two French team skippered by Jean Breger on Ulysse and Géry Trenteseaux on Courrier des Saints.
The Race Committee was able to launch a third race: British crew profited from a wind shift, whilst the Russians were dragging in the back of the pack. A good chance for Pow Wow to bounce back, as did female skipper Gavia Wilkinson-Cox onJerboa, who crossed in third. The next to days will be absolutely crucial for the overall win at the Régates Royales, with are no more than ten boats aspiring to a place on the podium, and Yvan Bradbury’s consistency could make a real difference.
Switzerland’s Christian Bent Wilhemsen on Otto got his second consecutive win in the 5.5 Metre class, in front of Bahamas’ Merk Holowesko New Moon, who later made a great comeback with two wins. Among the Tofinou, Edward Fort on Pippa managed to keep the leadership, despite attacks by French skipper Patrice Riboud on Pitch.
For full results and more content, please visit: www.regatesroyales.com
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