Morvan wins prologue

The 14 Figaros in the Trophee BPE Belle-Ile en Mer-Marie-Galante competed in a delivery/race from Concarneau

The prologue for the Figaro class' singlehanded transatlantic race, the Trophee BPE Belle-Ile en Mer - Marie-Galante, despite superstition, was won was Gildas Morvan, skipper of Cercle Vert. Rather than being the typical round the cans affair, the prologue was a proper shake down for the 14 competitors on a 47 mile course down from Concarneau to Belle Ile.

The race got underway in WNWerly winds of 10 to 15 knots. Two competitors were over early - Franck Le Gal (Lenze) and François Gabart (Espoir Région Bretagne) - and had to restart. After the first weather mark, the Figaros were able to set their kite to make it up to Ile de Groix, the next mark of the course, left to starboard. Early leaders were Gildas Morvan ( Cercle Vert), Thierry Chabagny ( Suzuki Automobiles) and Gérald Veniard ( Macif).

About five miles from Ile de Groix some strategic differences were evident - one group led by Nicolas Troussel ( Financo) and Eric Drouglazet (Luisina) sought to take advantage of the gusts and shift along the coast while Gildas Morvan ( Cercle Vert) and a few others went offshore.

In the end, and having dominated throughout this prologue of the 2009 Transat BPE, it was Gildas Morvan on Cercle Vert first to cross the line off the citadel after 6 hours 10 minutes and 49 seconds of racing. He was followed by Thierry Chabagny ( Suzuki Automobiles) and Erwan Tabarly ( Athem).

"When I'm on the water I always want to do well," commented Morvan on his arrival. "A victory, even when it does not count in the overall standings, is something that I certianly take pleasure in! This race between Concarneau and Belle-Ile-en-Mer also enabled me to test all of my sail wardrobe and reassure myself about all the equipment on board. Everything is fine for this week prior to departure. The reception received in Belle-Ile-en-Mer with the sun and the sound of the band is perfect!"

Results:
1 - Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert) arrived at 16h10m49s - running time: 6h40m49s
2 - Thierry Chabagny (Suzuki Automobiles) at 1m18s - running time: 6h42m7s
3 - Erwan Tabarly (Athem) at 7m02s - running time: 6h49m09s
4 - Adrien Hardy (Agir Recovery)
5 - Gérald VENIARD (Macif)
6 - François Gabart (Espoir Région Bretagne)
7 - Eric Drouglazet (Luisina)
8 - Franck LE GAL (Lenze)
9 - Isabelle JOSCHKE (Synergy)
10 - Yannig Livory (Cint 56)
11 - Nicolas Troussel (Financo)
12 - Armel Tripon (Gedimat)
13 - Louis-Maurice TANNYERES (Nanni-Diesel)
14 - Victor NOEL JEAN (Marie-Galante Country)