Squabble on the lake

Nicolas Gonet retires from D35 class after hostility towards BMW Oracle Racing's plans to compete

Nicolas Gonet has announced his withdrawal from the D 35 Class. Despite a very promising sportive season, that would have seen the arrival on lake Geneva of the team BMW Racing Racing on board his D35 Banque Gonet & Cie, most Class members have shown hostility during an owners meeting last Friday.

Team Gonet takes note of this position, which it respects but does not share. Despite its desire for continuity with its race team from previous years, Mr Gonet said he prefers to withdraw from a competition whose values he no longer shares.

Banque Gonet has been sailing with Russell Coutts for three years. Nicolas Gonet was a founding member of the Décision 35 Class, and Banque Gonet was a Class sponsor prior to acquiring a boat. The team has - amongst others - won the prestigious Bol d’Or regatta in 2006.