Solitaire du Figaro, Jérémie Beyou sfida la sorte
FigaroMonotipiaSolitaire du FigaroVela 28 Luglio 2009 Zerogradinord 0
[singlepic id=3574 w=300 h=204 float=left]La Solitaire du Figaro – Lorient – C’è chi le regate di prova punta a non vincerle e chi, come Jérémie Beyou, punta invece a non lasciare niente per la strada. Lo skipper di Bernard Paoli, infatti, ha fatto suo il prologo della Solitaire du Figaro, dimostrando buone prestazioni e un ottimo livello di forma. Il solitario francese, infatti, ha condotto la prova, durata oltre 3 ore, sin dai primi minuti e non si è mai voltato a guardare la flotta, mangiando i metri che lo separavano dall’arrivo con grande determinazione.
A finire secondo, staccato di almeno 7 lunghezze, è stato Frederic Duthil (BBox Telecom) seguito da Nocolas Bérenger (Koné Elevators). I primi tre hanno girato tutte le boe da leader, mostrando la via lungo le 16 miglia della prova, disputata con vento tra gli 8 e i 12 nodi.
La partenza della prima tappa della Solitaire du Figaro – Lorient-La Coruna di 345 miglia – è prevista per domani alle 13.00.
Suzuki Prologue
1. Jérémie Beyou (Bernard Paoli)
2. Frédéric Duthil (BBox Telecom)
3. Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Elevators)
4. Charles Caudrelier-Bénac (Bostik)
5. Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert)
followed by 47 boats
JEREMIE BEYOU WINS SUZUKI PROLOGUE ON LA SOLITAIRE DU FIGARO
[La Solitaire du Figaro Press Release] The world’s solo sailing greats have gathered in Lorient to compete on the 40th Anniversary year of what is considered to be one of toughest events of the sailing season, La Solitaire du Figaro. 52 competitors will take part and six previous winners, with a total of ten years’ worth of wins return to test and hone their offshore racing skills against the world’s leading solo sailors and upcoming talent. Among the fifteen rookies keen to leave their mark is Johnny Malbon (Artemis), while fellow Briton Nigel King (Nigel King Yachting) and Franco-German sailor Isabelle Joschke return to make up the fleet’s international contingent. Jérémie Beyou (Bernard Paoli) defied superstition by winning the Suzuki Prologue race in Lorient.
The entry list for the 2009 Solitaire du Figaro reads like a who’s who of solo sailing for the 40th anniversary year of France’s oldest yacht race. The Figaro comprises four stages over a month of racing between France, Spain and Ireland and gathers the best short handed sailors to compete on the one design Bénéteau Figaro II boat. The competition is fierce with the likes of two-time winner, and defending champion, Nicolas Troussel (Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne); three-time winner and record holder, Michel Desjoyeax (Foncia); the 2005 winner, Jérémie Beyou (Bernard Paoli); 2004 winner Charles Caudrelier (Bostik); the 2003 winner, Armel Le Cleác’h (Brit Air) returning to his roots after an impressive podium finish in his first Vendee Globe, and Eric Drouglazet (Luisina), winner in 2001 – past masters of La Solitaire du Figaro returning to size up the new competition.
Jérémie Beyou (Bernard Paoli) grabbed the lead of the Suzuki Prologue in Lorient and never looked back to win the race in a little over 3 hours. Closely following in second place, a mere 7 boat lengths behind at the finish, was Fréderic Duthil (BBox Bouygues Telecom) with Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Elevators) less than half a mile back. This trio held the first three positions around every mark of the 16-mile course, sailed in bright sunshine with a gentle 8 – 12 knot south-westerly breeze. The 52-boat fleet made an impressive sight as they sailed the last downwind leg under spinnaker, stretched out over five miles of the bay outside Lorient.
Fabien Delahaye brushed off the competition from his fellow rookies, being the first of them to cross in a very respectable 16th place ahead of Christophe Espagnon (Groupe Legris Industries) in 22nd and Joseph Brault (Samsung Mobile) in 24th.
On the international front, Franco German sailor, Isabelle Joschke (Synergie) crossed in 38th whilst Nigel King (Nigel King Yachting) beat fellow countryman Johnny Malbon (Artemis) to the finish line to take 42nd and 43rd places respectively.
The start of the first leg, 345 miles from Lorient to La Coruna, is set for 13:00 local time on Thursday 30th July.
Suzuki Prologue
1. Jérémie Beyou (Bernard Paoli)
2. Frédéric Duthil (BBox Telecom)
3. Nicolas Bérenger (Koné Elevators)
4. Charles Caudrelier-Bénac (Bostik)
5. Gildas Morvan (Cercle Vert)
followed by 47 boats
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