Bullets for Groovederci

More inshore racing at St Cyprien during Tour de France a la Voile

Of the two races sailed today there were two victories for the American, Deneen Demourkas and her anglo-saxon crew supported by Laurent Pagès. The Groovederci team set out with the goal of opening up a lead from the very first regattas in the Mediterranean and that’s what they got: Two crushing victories in which they gained the lead on the first upwind legs of the two races, sailed in an easterly wind strengthening to 20 knots off St Cyprien.

Defi Partage Marseille, still second overall, is still fighting hard following her two eighth place positions yesterday but is not quite up to the pace of the professionals on Groovederci who have made up for Bouwe Bekking’s departure with the arrival of illbruck watch leader Stu Bannatyne and djuice's, Wouter Verbraak for the Mediterranean section.

Theoule Mandelieu, third overall, were disqualified yesterday for a premature start in the first race. "Those two seconds cost us very dearly on the first race and we were 11th in the second, which wasn’t great either. It really hasn’t been a good day” commented a disappointed Sylvain Chtouder.

Bouygues Telecom, always quick to get in with the leading pack, rose to third place overall thanks to a second and fifth place in the legs with a faultless performance by the Nantes crew.

It was the same scenario for Toulon Provence Mediterranee Coych who slipped ahead of Region Ile de France, Jimmy Pahun's team also disqualified after an early start. The team from Hyères are fifth overall after two fine 3rd and 4th places. "It’s encouraging. We were fast upwind, which we were lacking in a bit at the start of the Tour. We were at ease and hope to continue to stay that way," said skipper Fabien Henri.

In the amateur section it was also a great day for the Breton teams on the Cotes D’Armor, CSC Essec and Ville Du Port Bred La Reunion.

In the student ranking, Port de Commerce La Rochelle Estudines.com continued to close in on the overall leaders Defi Grandes Ecoles Total Insa while, Eigsi La Rochelle Charente-Maritime dismasted following the breakage of a shroud.

The same wind conditions are forecast for tomorrow’s three courses, the first of which will set off at 09h00.