Deauville 2007

Second running of this sailing week to include first ever French IRC National Championship

After the inaugural event stirred up keen interest from 500 top level racers, things are looking good for the second edition of Deauville International Sailing Week running over 6-10 June 2007.

The facts from this year speak for themselves: nearly 50% international crews from ten countries, 11 races sailed, around 200 press articles, 1,800 companies and bodies invited for Public Relations operations...

The inaugural Deauville International Sailing Week was made possible by the determined commitment of the Mayor of Deauville Philippe Augier, the Deauville Yacht Club, as well as the support of the institutional partners (the Calvados County Council, the Basse-Normandie region, the Pays d’Auge CCI), the media (Ouest-France, Voiles et Voiliers, France Bleu Basse and Haute-Normandie) and numerous businesses (Audi, Orange, Veolia Eau, Mumm, SNIP, Musto, North Sails, Max Sea…)

Deauville, on northern France's Normandy coast, has just committed to the event organiser, Sirius Evénements, another three years.

The 2007 event will start with a practice round on Wednesday 6 June, with entries possible right up until Thursday 7 June at 12.00 hours. The first official race will take place on 7 June at 14.30 , and will be the first of four days of intense racing.

Once again there will be a Franco-British Race Committee led by Christophe Gaumont with the support of the Royal Southern Yacht Club. As was the case in 2006, it will rely on the Deauville Yacht Club, the Basse-Normandie League of the French sailing federation (FFV), as well as the main Baie de Seine clubs.

As in 2006, the classes will include top level one design classes include the Melges 24, Hunter 707, J/80, J/105 and J/109.The Mumm 30 as used in the Tour de France à la Voile, which held their European Championship in Deauville in 2006, have officially put the 2007 event in their calendar and are keen to turn it into one of the series’ key events.

The X-35 and the Farr 45 are also expected to be among the one design classes racing in 2007.

The most important development in 2007 will be the event’s hosting of IRC classes. The UNCL and Sirius Evénements have decided to include the first French IRC Nationals within Deauville International Week. Three IRC classes are planned divided into rating bands but roughly corresponding with 30-35/35-40/40-50ft length bands.

Didier Dardot, President of the UNCL, and Gerry Trentesaux, two time winner of the Rolex Commodores' Cup, have already declared their participation.

Deauville awaits all those who declared last June “there’s no question that we’ll be back next year”…….