French nationals dominated by Stokes Bay duo

A report from the Dart racing on the Morbihan

The French Dart Nationals were held over 4 days in early July at the town of Locmariaquer at the entrance of the Gulf of Morbihan in Southern Brittany. Two British teams joined one Belgian as the visitors to make up a competative 50 boat fleet. The event was heavily sponsored with meals, a quality band and free beer every night not to mention exceptional prizes.

Day 1 started with a Westerly seabreeze building from force three to top of a five by the end of the day. David & Sam Lloyd sailing Typhoon dominated with two firsts and a second with France Catamaran and Thierry & Christine Wibaux winning the other race. Dave & Louise Roberts' Sailingbooks.co.uk also scored a useful third.

Day two and the wind was lighter and this time it was Sailingbooks.co.uk who had the best day with a first, second and sixth with Herve Le Maux and Catherine Bayle in their brand new Banque Scalbert Dupont scoring a first, fourth and sixth. Typhoon had a consistant day and the other race winner was Pierre Vidal.

Day three and the wind was even less so the race officer delayed for two hours while the French Association brought forward their AGM. The first race started in a very light seabreeze which didn't fill in properly until half the fleet had finished. The race was initially led by Christophe Le Hay but Typhoon showed superior downwind speed to gain a substantial lead and Sailingbooks.co.uk pulled up to take third.

The wind steadily increased as the afternoon progressed but it was becoming very difficult to predict which side of the course would have most pressure as first one side then the other would pay. France Catamaran scored a useful first and fourth and Vincent Bouvier & Fanny Merelle a first and second.

At this stage all boats except for Typhoon had at least three results in double figures but Typhoon was discarding an eight and a nine.

The final day began very light again and the fleet took to the water for a 1000 start but it took till 1100 until all had drifted to the start line.

The Race Officer was unable to set a course as the seabreeze tried to fill in and the wind shifted through 60 degrees. The time of the last possible start came and three guns signalled the end of the regatta.

This meant that Typhoon won the event with a race to spare meaning that they became the fist sailors ever to hold both British and French titles at the same time and makes them one of the clear favorites for the World Championships to be held at their home club, Stokes Bay in late August.

Results

1st Typhoon David & Sam Lloyd Stokes Bay S C GBR
2nd France Catamaran Thierry & Christine Wibaux FRA
3rd Sailingbooks.co.uk Dave & Louise Roberts Stokes Bay S C GBR