Press release

 

17th July 2006

 Voiles Classiques de La Trinité – pure pleasure !

 

 The 6th run of the event was held in La Trinité over the French national holiday weekend of 14th July. It was announced that this edition would be one to be remembered and it was indeed the case.

 The high pressure system was omnipresent – sun high in the sky and a steady NE 8-10 knot wind blowing throughout the weekend.

Both committees of the race areas set up by the SNT for the event and chaired by Jean-Paul Vallégant and Jean-Luc Basset, to run 2 to 3 races a day over a perfectly flat sea.

The 53 strong fleet raced in the Bay of Quiberon. The 6M IC and REQUIN were the most strongly represented classes. In the middle of the 15 elegant and finely honed REQUIN, the current French Champion, Pascal Civel (APCC Nantes) and Vice Champion, Jean-Pierre Sauvage (SR Rochelaises) made for a top quality sporting spectacle. In the end, Pascal Civel ("Doena") was a cut above the rest, taking 4 consecutive firsts ahead of Jean-Pierre Sauvage ("Pierric II") in La Trinité, and was duly announced winner of the Challenge Pierre Le Roc'h. The presence of "Agathe" did not go unnoticed. A brand new REQUIN built at the end of 2005 had decided to keep her first official appearance for this event in La Trinité.

As for the sixteen 6M IC – a gathering of this size being an event in itself in Atlantic waters – according to Jean-Pierre Blavec, Chairman of the SNT (Société Nautique de La Trinité-sur-Mer). During this French Open, the English boats stood out from the crowd in both the Classic and Modern series. Brian Pope, skipper of "Titia" stayed ahead of Patrick Le Floc'h at the helm of his "Vingt Ans Après", whereas André Chaudoye on "Maybe VIII" took third.  Avia Willment ("Tempest") won the Modern cup. She also took the Tape de Bouche from the Yacht Club de France, presented by Stephan O'Reilly Hyland, Chairman on the French Union of the 6M IC.

 At the prize-giving ceremony, much to the satisfaction of both French and English 6M IC owners, and to that of Robert Leigh-Wood in particular, Chairman of the BISMA (British International Six Metre Association) and Rees Martin, Chairman of the IMETA (International Metre Association) relayed by the presence of British reporters, there a strengthening indications that the 6M IC are likely to become faithful supporters of the Voiles Classiques de La Trinité.

 For the 8 M IC, the victory of Hispania IV at the expense of the boats from Noirmoutier  ("Enchantement IV" and "Aile VI")  exposed the quality of the restoration work carried out on Tanneguy Raffray’s boat, making her first outing for 3 years.  "Gaulois" was sadly not among those on the starting line, the result of an incident arising during handling.

 The loyal and ever enthusiastic partnership brought by CITROËN was once again greatly appreciated by the regatta’s organisers, as was the support of the local council of La Trinité-sur-Mer, the Department of Le Morbihan, the region of Brittany as well as the Port de La Trinité. Special prizes were awarded by BACCARAT, the Casino BARRIÈRE in Carnac and NORTH SAILS, who also greatly contributed to the success of the event ashore, to the joy of those taking part.    

All those present, expressed their enthusiasm for the next run of the Voiles Classiques de La Trinité scheduled to take place on 13^th, 14^th and 15^th July 2007.

The SNT has no intention of letting them down.

Upon that occasion, the Organising Committee will be inviting several exceptional classic yachts to come and join the classes which traditionally enter this regatta, further enhancing the kudos of the racing.

 

Consult the results for 2006 on www.classiques-latrinite.org

 Press Contact:

Damien GRENIER : 06 27 11 17 67

 

Revue SNT 2006