[singlepic=876,300,204,,left]IMOCA 60 – Parigi – Armel Le Cléac’h, skipper di Brit Air, è il nuovo campione iridato della classe IMOCA 60. Il solitario francese, secondo classificato nella Transat Jacques Vabre e nella Vendée Globe, nella speciale classifica stilata tenendo conto dei risultati maturati nei principali eventi della stagione agonistica ha anticipato Marc Guillemot e Michel Desjoyeaux. In pratica la stessa graduatoria della Vendée Globe, ma al contrario. Grande soddifazione è stata espressa da Le Cléac’h, che ha aggiunti di sperare nel successo nella Transat Jacque Vabre di quest’anno.
Quest’anno, la top ten del Mondiale vede i velisti francesi sempre sugli scudi: ben 5 delle prime 10 piazze sono infatti occupate da skipper transalpini. Le altre appartengono invece agli inglesi (4) e una agli statunitensi. La prima donna, nonchè migliore tra i non francesi, è Sam Davies. La solitaria di Roxy, quarta alla Vendée Globe, è quarta anche nella classifica del Mondiale.
The 2008 IMOCA World Championship, top 10
1 – Armel Le Cleac’h (FRA), pt. 371
2 – Marc Guillemot (FRA), pt. 368
3 – Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), pt. 351
4 – Samantha Davies (GBR), pt. 338
5 – Vincent Riou (FRA), pt. 316
6 – Arnaud Boissieres (FRA), pt. 290
7 – Dee Caffari (GBR), pt. 288
8 – Brian Thompson (GBR), pt. 260
9 – Steve White (GBR), pt. 256
10 – Richard Wilson (USA), pt. 226
IMOCA 60, ARMEL LE CLEAC’H CROWNED WORLD CHAMPION
[IMOCA 60 Press Release] A key point in the IMOCA Class’ calendar is announcing its new World Champion. This time the annual title goes to 32 year old Armel le Cleac’h. He shares the IMOCA Championship podium with Marc Guillemot and Michel Desjoyeaux, exactly the same podium as the Vendée Globe, but the reverse way round.
Monday 16 March 2009, Armel, skipper of Brit Air, has won his place by finishing second in both the Artemis Transat and the Vendée Globe. The Vendée Globe obviously carries the maximum points in the championship, and all 12 sailors that completed it will be rewarded accordingly. This year the top ten rankings is made up of 5 French skippers, 4 Brits and 1 American. Amongst them will be Sam Davies in 4th place who was the first Brit and first woman to finish the race.
So at the age of 32, since winning the Solitaire du Figaro in 2003, Armel has gradually but convincingly established himself on the IMOCA circuit. He is hoping to add to this recent accolade by winning the 2009 Transat Jacques Vabre.
Armel Le Cleac’h commented on winning :
« We are really happy! This title goes to the whole team who have worked together since the start of the project. Consistency reaps rewards. The whole way through the project our main aim was always to have a really good Vendée Globe and to finish in the best possible place we could. We’ve finished second in the two greatest solo races on the circuit. That proves that we got our timing right, and had the right approach, even if we were denied an actual win. As far as the boat’s concerned, we got it right, as at no point have we had to make any major modifications after any of the races. I’m also really pleased that my sponsor Brit Air has made it as IMOCA World Champion after only three years in sailing. I’d like to finish by saying that it’s a great podium, I’m just in front of Marc who has vast experience and has one of the best boats and then obviously there is the winner of the Vendée Globe, Michel Desjoyeaux himself. It goes without saying that (sharing the podium with them) gives me a lot of pleasure. I’m continuing this season with Brit Air and would really like to finish it off by winning the Transat Jacques Vabre for the first time. »
The 2008 IMOCA World Championship, top 10
1 – Armel Le Cleac’h (FRA), pt. 371
2 – Marc Guillemot (FRA), pt. 368
3 – Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), pt. 351
4 – Samantha Davies (GBR), pt. 338
5 – Vincent Riou (FRA), pt. 316
6 – Arnaud Boissieres (FRA), pt. 290
7 – Dee Caffari (GBR), pt. 288
8 – Brian Thompson (GBR), pt. 260
9 – Steve White (GBR), pt. 256
10 – Richard Wilson (USA), pt. 226
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