Ecover dismasts

Disaster for Mike Golding during Open 60 Grand Prix

The racing

The racing got underway at 1130 this morning in 10-12 knots of north/north east wind.

The six Open 60s taking part in the Grand Prix were sent out on a 10 mile long ‘banana’ shaped course. The first race was won easily by Roland Jourdain’s Sill Butters Gall, while Jean-Pierre Dick’s Virbac, formerly Michel Desjoyeaux’s Vendee Globe winner, came second.

The second race of the day was also on the ‘banana ; course in around 10 knots of wind and flat sea. Virbac dominated this race, with Ecover in second and Sill in third. During the race Sill experienced some spinnaker trouble. In a lightening breeze the course was shortened.

The final race of the day was more of an offshore course. The wind had piped up a little to 15-18 knots and this race was won by Sill again.

Results

1. SILL BEURRE LE GALL, Roland Jourdain - 6 points
2. VIRBAC, Jean-Pierre Dick - 8 points
3. BOBST GROUP ARMOR LUX, Bernard Stamm - 13 points
4. ECOVER, Mike Golding - 17 points
5. SOLIDAIRES, Thierry Dubois - 18 points
6. ADECCO ETOILE HORIZON, Bob Escoffier - 25 points

More photos from Jacques Vapillon on page 3...

Sill leads Armor-Lux