First blood for Peyron

The seven Decision 35 catamarans sail their first official regatta in the Genève-Rolle-Genève race

232 boats took the start at 1400 on Saturday 5 June of the 40th Genève-Rolle-Genève race.

Among the 232 boats were the seven new Décision 35 catamarans (watch thedailysail this week for a good long look at these exceptional new boats) racing the first regatta of the Challenge Ferrier Lullin.

Run by the Yacht Club de Genève, the first regatta of the season was held in a brisk 20 knot northerly wind.

At the start Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi took the lead, followed closely by Zebra 7/Team Redaccueillant with the famous French trimaran sailor Loïck Peyron on board.

At Promenthoux, Zebra 7 successfully overtook Alinghi in the deJoran (a fresh wind of the north-west which blows on the south of the Jura and the lake Léman).

Both the D35s of Team Red then passed the buoy off Rolle in the lead within a minute of Alinghi. On the way back the competitors chose different options. Eventually first across the line was Zebra 5/Team Red followed by Ferrier Lullin.

Recognised for his many victories in the 60ft trimaran circuit, Loïck Peyron will be at the helm of TEAM Red for the season. On board with Peyron are his regular Fuji crew such as sailmaker Jean-Baptiste Levaillant, 470 World champion and Groupama tactician Tanguy Carriou, match racer and Tour Voile, Michel Cohen, and Swiss sailor Jean-Claude Burdet.

Next up in the D35 calendar is the Bol d'Or next Saturday.

Results:

1. SUI 7 Zebra 7 / Team Red
2. SUI 3 Ferrier Lullin
3. SUI 1 Alinghi
4. SUI 5 Zebra 5 / Team Red
5. SUI 4 Zen Too
6. SUI 6 Cadence
7. SUI 2 Bédat & Co