Thoughts from the Tour Voile

... Richard Bonham-Christie's perspective on the Tour Voile

We are coming to the end of the Tour Voile, and at the time of writing, Simon Shaw's British Universities Sailing Team is leading the student division and ninth overall.

Behind all of the sailors is Richard Bonham-Christie, owner of the Mumm 30. If Richard Bonham-Christie had not come to the rescue and provided the team with the Mumm 30 there would be no British entry in this year's regatta. Not only has Richard provided the boat, but also an old Greyhound bus to sleep and transport the team......

I write from Port Camargue. I am sitting in my camper with all the windows covered with reflective material to keep the sun out as it is hot outside, some 29 C in the shade. There is a little breeze but no more than 5 knots, however by midday the sea breeze normally settles in and today there are three inshore races. Luckily for me the sea is cool and clean which is where I shall be. 
The offshore race here yesterday was to be our turning point. A fifth place secured our overall lead in the student division. A four point disadvantage over CSC Peat Marwick was converted to a four point advantage. The other main contender Thales also did badly so we have an advantage over them of 21 points. However Cap University which is now being helmed by Thiery Peppernay and some 37 points behind is also a danger. Peppernay is a legend in France second only to Bertrand Pace who is sailing with Team New Zealand, who incidentally we beat yesterday.

Herve Gautier (42) the skipper on CSC Peat Marwick Essec is very unhappy with the situation and is out to get back his lead. He has been training with his team of students for 60 days prior to this event and this is his third Tour Voile with that University. All this information is to emphasise how brilliantly well our team are doing.  The skippers/helmsmen on the other student boats are professionals and are paid to get results. They are now under pressure from their Universities and sponsors to perform. Our chaps seem fairly relaxed and go out to enjoy the racing. Let's hope that their expertise can keep them ahead and out of trouble.
 
Last night Jeremy arrived back with SiFi and Mark, so we are back to our original team. They also brought out clean shirts from Craft Insure, thank goodness, as laundry is a bit of an issue out here.
 
Wednesday evening, they only managed two races today, as the wind died. We scored a fifth and fifteenth. Essec did badly as did Thales and we increased our lead to ten points, but Cap University did very well and started to close the gap, but is still too far behind to be a real threat I hope.
 
This evening at the prize giving; there is a prizegiving at the end of each stop; we were awarded a special prize, along with the prize for being leading student. All the boys went onto the stage and Simon said a few words which included thanking all those that had made this tour possible, Zannah for keeping the team fed and the Queen.
 
Talking of Zannah, she has run out of pasta and nearly finished the rice, she battles on preparing meals for the offshore races all packed up in foil takeaway containers plus endless baguettes. Food when they get back from racing and then another meal later in the evening. Tomorrow the offshore starts at 0600hrs and she will make a cooked breakfast at 0500hrs. We are all very well fed, but she draws the line on the untidiness of the bus. I must say eight sometimes ten students living in confined quarters do make quite a mess!
 
Bandol is the next stop, 85 miles by sea. At the briefing this evening they were told to take plenty of fuel as they will motor until the sea breeze sets in at around 1200.