Riou joins the party

News from September's Trophée Clairefontaine

Vincent Riou, winner of the last Vendée Globe on PRB joins the line-up of the eight great skippers of the 17th Trophée Clairefontaine of Sailing Champions, which will be raced as every year, at La Trinité-sur-Mer (Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September). He enters following the withdrawal of the Austrian, Roman Hagara, who will be in China beginning of September sailing the test-event for the next Olympic Games.

Eight champions will take part in a three-crew regatta (the champion at the helm assisted by two crewmen) on the spectacular SailingOne one-design catamaran (25' - 7.65 m) exclusively designed and used to be entrusted by the organization to each of the eight champions of the Trophée Clairefontaine. As it is the case every season, since 1990, the debate is open as to the supremacy of the logical favourites: Loïck Peyron, holder of the title and Michel Desjoyeaux - with ten victories between them in sixteen matches! - likely to be heavily challenged

Vincent Riou, winner of the Vendée Globe 2004-2005 on PRB and in preparation of the new PRB at the moment, will come to La Trinité accompanied by Sébastien Josse, recent skipper of ABN AMRO Two in the Volvo Ocean Race. Vincent and Sébastien are due to enter the Barcelona Race 2007 on PRB.

Mike Sanderson, from New Zealand, holder of an impressive record of achievements, stunning winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005, (crew manned round-the-world-race), will be the super star of this 17th Trophée Clairefontaine.

To read about the other entries - click here