Underdog on top

Fred Moura's Nickel claims today's race at the D35's Open de Versoix

The Club Nautique de Versoix hosted today the sixth event of the Vulcain Trophy for the D35 catamarans. And surprisingly it was Nickel, last in the provisional standings, that decided to shake up the form by winning today's one race ahead of Veltigroup and Realstone Sailing.

"This is great ! " said Fred Moura in a big smile that couldn't hide his satisfaction. The local skipper and sailmaker has been competing on the D35 circuit since its launch in 2004. "These are conditions that suit us well. We have a light crew and we are able to think and think pretty well up to 8 knots. Then it is more difficult, because we have to work hard physically and we certainly do not have the required physical strength. "And what about the crew? "We have three new team members for the second half of the season, and this could still evolve until the last Grand Prix because we are already starting to prepare for next year."

The first day of the second part of the Vulcain Trophy season, presented by Business & Decision, started in very light winds and in a beautiful late summer sun. The only race of the day got underway shortly before 1400 thanks to the lack of wind. This allowed the D35 crews to ease gently back after their summer break.

At this regatta Marie Riou (returning from  London 2012 where she competed in Claire LeRoy's Women's Match Racing team) was replacing Yann Guichard - away skippering the Spindrit Racing MOD70 - in calling tactics for Dona Bertarelli on Ladycat. On Artemis, Torbjorn Torbqvist's American's Cup skipper Terry Hutchinson and Morgan Larson came to reinforce the team.

The crew of Okalys Corum ended up fourth place, with skipper Nicolas Grange leading for most of the race.

Ernesto Bertarelli has returned with his usual Alinghi crew ranks and finished fifth today, neck and neck with De Rham Sotheby's of Philippe Cardis. Zen Too, skippered by Guy de Picciotto, tried a risky option that did not pay at the end.

Veltigroup sailed a great race with the leaders with very good tactical choices made by Boris Lerch which allowed the crew to finish in second position. And last but not least, the young crew on Realstone Sailing as ever were on the podium, coming home third.

Results after one race:
1. Nickel (Fred Moura)
2. Veltigroup (Boris Lerch)
3. Realstone Sailing (Jérôme Clerc)
4. Okays Corum (Nicolas Grange)
5. Alinghi (Ernesto Bertarelli)
6. De Rham-Sotheby's (Philippe Cardis)
7. Zen Too (Guy de Picciotto)
8. Ladycat (Dona Bertarelli)
9. Artemis Racing (Torbjorn Tornqvist)