Alinghi extends

After the Grand Prix Romandie.com Act 1 for the D35 cats on Lake Geneva

After a coastal race on Friday folllowed by two days of round the cans on Saturday and Sunday, the Grand Prix Romandie.com Act 1 ended with the victory once again for Alinghi. Thanks to a very well established breeze - a southwesterly of 15-20 knots - and magnificent sun, the race committee on the final day making up for Saturday's poor weather.

Over the course of the regatta Alinghi won four race of eight including three on Sunday in the bigger breeze. This allows Ernesto Bertarelli's team to widen the gap in the overall standings: "We are satisfied," said Yves Detrey, at the helm in Bertarelli's absence. "We increased our lead, but we still have to do the same in Act 2."

Foncia continues in second place overall in the Challenge Julius Baer championshipf or the D35s after their second place in the Grand Prix this weekend, while Zen Too remains in third place despite a 5th place at the Grand Prix:

"It was my last weekend with Zen Too but I am content," says ORMA 60 skjipper Stève Ravussin who has been sailing on board Guy de Picciotto's boat and is due to mount his own campaign next year. However Zen Too's position is under threat from Okalys: "We are approaching the podium, and we still have two races to achieve it," said Nicolas Grange, owner of SUI 2.

Other noteworthy performances were of Ladycat, Dona Bertarelli-Spaeth and Karine Fauconnier's D35 which finished sixth this weekend, while Julius Baer placed fourth to the greatest pleasure of her owner Philippe Cardis: "We are very happy, especially our last race (2nd place)."

Sadly just before the second race Romandie.com capsized marking the end of her racing at the regatta.

The Grand Prix Romandie.com Act 2 takes place in Versoix on 20-21 September.

Overall results - Grand Prix Romandie Act 1 :

1. SUI 1 - Alinghi 12pts
2. SUI 5 – Foncia 20pts
3. SUI 2 – Okalys 22pts
4. SUI 3 – Julius Baer 30pts
5. SUI 4 – Zen Too 31pts
6. SUI 10 – Ladycat 40pts
7. SUI 7 – Zebra 7 43pts
8. SUI 6 – Cadence 45pts
9. SUI 9 - Smart Home 48pts
10. SUI 8 - Romandie.com 61pts

Overall results - Challenge Julius Baer :

1. SUI 1 - Alinghi 7pts
2. SUI 5 – Foncia 15pts
3. SUI 4 – Zen Too 19pts
4. SUI 2 – Okalys 20pts
5. SUI 6 – Cadence 25pts
6. SUI 7 – Zebra 7 28pts
7. SUI 10 – Ladycat 28pts
8. SUI 3 – Julius Baer 28pts
9. SUI 9 - Smart Home 32pts
10. SUI 8 - Romandie.com 40pts