DCNS the speediest

Open 60s and Class 40s enjoy a day of speed runs at the Grand Prix Petit Navire

The Grand Prix Petit Navire for the IMOCA Open 60s and Class 40s has enjoyed a second day in the glorious sunshine of southern Finistère. And there was certainly no respite for the sailors this May Day. On the programme was a whole day of speed runs across the Bay of Douarnenez. It was also the official start of festivities, punctuated by the launch of the Dragon fleet, which are set to begin racing tomorrow.

The WNW'ly wind built slightly over the course of the day from 10 to 13 knots and the 17 crews had a tremendous time, sailing together, one run after another, off the port of Rosmeur. The first early on this morning were most favourable to Brit Air among the Open 60s and Telecom Italia among the Class 40s. But in the afternoon, Foncia snatched the lead while it was Zed 4 that took over in the Class 40s. At the end of this second and final day of speed runs, it was Giovanni Soldini ( Telecom Italia) who led in the Class 40s, with 10.31 knots, followed by Bruno Jourdren ( Le Pal) with 9.64 knots and Peter Harding ( 40 Degrees) with 9.62 knots. Marc Thiercelin ( DCNS) finished the day ahead in the Open 60s with 14.12 knots with Michel Desjoyeaux ( Foncia) second with 14.04 knots and Sébastien Josse ( BT) third, with 13.99 knots. Tomorrow, these speed runs will give way to a coastal race to the Mer d'Iroise.

In the Class 40s, despite the fact that the French contingent were out in force making up over half the number of entrants, it was Italian sailor Giovanni Soldini and his 100% Italian crew who dominated the class, following their wins in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007 and The Artemis Transat 2008. “It's the second time we've come here, because we like the great racing. It's always very entertaining to be back in Douarnenez; there's always a lovely atmospher,” said Soldini, also the winner of the last Grand Prix Petit Navire, in the Class 40. “We won last year, but it's not easy: this year there is stiff competition and, in my view, anyone could win it. Bruno Jourdren's just one such character… He's a talented skipper and he has a crew of experienced sailors.”

Kito de Pavant, skipper of the Open 60 Groupe Bel, who is sailing on the Class 40 Le Pal with Bruno Jourdren commented: “As a thoroughbred Mediterranean sailor, I was a bit worried about the racing yesterday morning due to the rain. We won and, in addition to that, we kept improving upon our record throughout the afternoon. Today we're going to race the same kind of event and, what's entertaining about the runs is that you don't even know your position in relation to the others. All of a sudden you find you aren't under much pressure: you race against the clock and not against the others, which is nice. Tomorrow we're going to race some coastal courses which will be even more interesting!”

Sébastien Josse, skipper of the Open 60 BT commented. “Yesterday we had a very good day, even though it was a bit rainy in the morning. We came second. The wind kicked back in during the afternoon, which enabled us to stay out on the water right through to 1700 hours. Today it's the same principal but there's a bit less wind. Tomorrow the racing will get even more exciting with even more strategy and tactics involved. In the speed runs yesterday and today the main aim is to be quick, but that's all going to change tomorrow. The Grand Prix Petit Navire is the first race of the season and it's an event which appeals to me because it's both useful and enjoyable: along with the crew you can invite other people to sail on our boats. Yesterday, for instance, there were 10 of us aboard BT.”

The official opening of festivities

The Senator Mayor of Douarnenez, Philippe Paul, was present at the official opening ceremony for the 10th edition of the Grand Prix Petit Navire late today. “The feeling I have about this event is very positive!” commented the mayor. “This year we're already going to be celebrating its 10th anniversary! I still remember the early days. I didn't really know if this event would work. Nevertheless, the Société des Régates in Douarnenez has done a fantastic job as today the Grand Prix Petit Navire is well known and widely recognised”.

Indeed it's the event which launches a whole series of summer events for Douarnenez. “The Grand Prix Petit Navire is naturally a good way of promoting the town and, what's more, there is something for everyone; those who are interested in Ocean Racing, Dragons, Kitesurfing and, more generally, maritime culture”.