20th anniversary Trophée Clairefontaine

Loick Peyron wins his eighth champion of champions regatta

Loïck Peyron made history in the Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile winning this French champion of champions event for the eighth time. Already champion in 1990 in the first Trophée Clairefontaine, Peyron celebrated the 20th anniversary of this competition by finishing ahead of Franck Cammas and Pascal Bidégorry. Peyron won the much coveted title of Champion of Champions at La Grande Motte, following Franck Cammas' victory  in 2009.

The 21st Trophée Clairefontaine was marked by the duel between Cammas and Peyron. Non-stop, they exchanged the position of leader before Loïck Peyron snatched the title from him to win. However, Cammas won the highest number of races, with one Open Race and two Runs to his name. Peyron won two Runs. Luc Dubois (Team Alinghi - Switzerland) also won one Run, as did Armel Le Cléac'h, Michel Desjoyeaux and Pascal Bidégorry, totalling six winners out of eight champions.

The breeze wavered between force 1 and 3. Moreover a few gusts were felt at La Grande Motte, but also moments of devastating calm, which got the play underway again. In reality the eight champions all enjoyed a moment of glory, since they all took the leading position at least once.

Nicolas Charbonnier enjoyed some success and he even came very close to a victory in the eighth leg. However, this time, Michel Desjoyeaux sailed faultlessly and left him no opportunity. The presence of Serge Madec, skipper of the Jet Services V maxi-catamaran in the last 1980s, was a nice reference to the history of this competition. He was the first to win this unusual race. He enjoyed some good racing, even when the wind was shifty.

The Trophée Clairefontaine has demonstrated, once again, that this unique type of race that unites champions from different international sailing disciplines, is a recipe for success. It has not aged in 20 years. There is suspense, the atmosphere is intense and it is a wonderful show for the general public.

This 20th anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate the loyalty of Papeteries de Clairefontaine (Clairefontaine Stationery), partner of the Trophée des Champions® since it began in 1990. Thanks to this family company, backed by the Fédération Française de Voile 67 champions of different nationalities have taken part over the last 20 years.

Overall resuilts (nine legs):

1- Loïck Peyron (3,2,1,2,3,1,5,6,2), 63 pts
2- Franck Cammas (1,5,2,1,1,5,6,4,6), 57 pts
3- Pascal Bidégorry, (6,3,3,4,2,6,2,5,1), 53 pts
4- Michel Desjoyeaux (2,4,5,8,5,4,3,1,4), 48 pts
5- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (CH) (4,1,4,6,4,7,4,3,3), 47 pts
6- Nicolas Charbonnier, (5,6,7,3,DSQ,2,8,2,5), 35 pts
7- Armel Le Cléac'h (7,7,6,5,7,3,1,7,7), 33 pts
8- Serge Madec, (8,8,8,7,6,8,7,8,8), 13 pts.