Alinghi ahead after day one

Rookies lead the proceedings after day one of the Trophée Clairefontaine champion of champions event in La Trinite

The 18th Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile started this morning at La Trinité-sur-Mer with a rapidly disappearing wind. This involved an Open Race in the Bay of Quiberon with three races run. The Alinghi Team from Switzerland, with Luc Dubois at the helm, and Pierre-Yves Jorand and Yves Detrey crewing, ended the day leading the fleet. It is the first time in the history of the Trophée Clairefontaine that a foreign helmsman has been in the lead the day before the final, and, moreover, this is the Swiss team's first time participating. This evening, the Alinghi team leads ahead of Nicolas Troussel and Loïck Peyron.

With no response from the wind Gods this morning, the eight champions were towed out into the Golfe du Morbihan as far as the island of Houat. In the early afternoon, the sailors practised, showing the sharpness of their manoeuvring in the light airs in the Quo Vadis Challenge, the return race back towards La Trinité-sur-Mer. In a wind fluctuating between five and eight knots, the champions engaged in a superb tactical combat, since the best route to get to La Trinité was not that easy to work out.

Franck Cammas was ahead leaving the island of Houat and was also the first to appear at the La Trinité channel having chosen to go left on the race course. Luc Dubois and his Alinghi Team, second in the open race, was perhaps inspired in the fluctuating breeze, which probably reminded him of his own sailing area back on Lake Geneva. Another surprise in third place was Figaro sailor Nicolas Troussel; a fine result in this his first race on the Trophée Clairefontaine catamarans. Former winner Michel Desjoyeaux and Yann Eliès made the poorest choice of the day. The large detour they attempted after they had left Houat did not bear fruit and they finally crossed the line behind the fleet, bringing up the rear in this race.

The eight champions then continued with three race in stronger winds directly off La Trinité harbour. Vendee Globe winner Vincent Riou and Loïck Peyron got back to business by taking first and second place in the first race. The danger, however, came from the consistency of the Alinghi Team, which came third and then first ahead of Jérémie Beyou.

The race that concluded the first day of the Trophée Clairefontaine saw Michel Desjoyeaux return to the fore, despite difficult condtions thanks to the strong tide. After a few clever manoeuvres, Nicolas Troussel staged a fantastic come back, to finish overall second ahead of past multiple winner, Loïck Peyron.

At the end of this first day of racing, the 'Rookies' - those competing for the first time - were the ones to dominate the proceedings of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Luc Dubois and Nicolas Troussel have shown their worth to Loïck Peyron and Michel Desjoyeaux. Tomorrow, between 14:00 and 16:00, for the last five races what will be the reaction of these two champions, who together total ten victories in 17 Trophée Clairefontaine races? And there is still Franck Cammas, the defending champion, who will still have his say in the matter.

Provisional ranking after four legs:

1- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (Sui.), 26 pts
2- Nicolas Troussel, 23 pts
3- Loïck Peyron, 22 pts
4- Michel Desjoyeaux , 21 pts
5- Franck Cammas, 20 pts
6- Jérémie Beyou, 19 pts
7- Vincent Riou, 18 pts
8- Yann Eliès, 7 pts.