Monday, September 24, 2018
IMOCA Open 60 - Défi Azimut - Lorient FRA - Final results
After the 24-hour solo race - we reported on the victory of Vincent Riou FRA ('PRB') yesterday - the Speed-Runs for teams were on the program, an impressive spectacle in the prevailing fresh winds. Jérémy Beyou FRA was the fastest with a top speed of 29,85kn. His 'Charal' is the first Open 60 of the latest design, and with the new foils, the hull is lifted out of the water completely ! Samantha Davis GBR ('Initiatives Coers') and Paul Meilhat FRA ('SMA') followed on the ranks 2 and 3.
The ranking lists, the news and the videos.
The fourth and last leg of the 2018 Solitaire ended yesterday with the victory of Anthony Marchand FRA. Although only 9th in this last leg, Sébastien Simon FRA stayed on top of the overall rankings with a 16 minute-advantage on Anthony Marchand FRA. Finishing 7th in this leg, the best woman 
Yesterday morning, the 3 leg of the Solitaire was concluded in Saint-Gilles FRA, again with Sébastien Simon FRA as winner, extending his overall lead on 35min. He will hardly loose this advantage in the final 4th leg of only 160nm. Behind the leader, the fight for the podium will remain fierce. Xavier Macaire FRA on rank 2 is only 12min ahead of rank 4 (Anthony Marchand FRA). The best woman 
This morning 7h UTC at press deadline, the leading Sébsatien Simon FRA had only 10nm to sail to finish the race .... but nothing has been decided yet: Pierre Quiroga FRA on 2nd is only 0,8nm behind and Fréderic Duthil FRA on the 10th place is only 2nm back. The best woman Justine Mettraux SUI has a 3,9nm backlog and is 24th. In the light wind and the tide current, everything is possible. By noon, the dice will be cast. 
In early September, the America's-Cup-winner James Spithill AUS had the opportunity to try the Maxi-Trimaran 'Macif' with François Gabart FRA during two day. The Australian was impressed by the high speeds of the foiling trimaran in excess of 45kn during several hours ! 
Since last Saturday, the Solitaire fleet has been underway in leg 3 from Spain to Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie (French Atlantic Coast North of La Rochelle). Up to now, light winds dominated the scene. The leading Thierry Chabagny FRA was 120nm, roughly one day, from the arrival this morning with a 3nm advantage on a closely sailing persuers' group. Pierre Quiroga FRA on rank 2 is onnly 4nm head of the best woman Justine Mettraux SUI on rank 13. The ETA is early Wednesday morning.
46nm before the finish line, the final approach at the Concarneau 300-miles race for two-person Mini-650 was fully open this morning UTC in the Protos as well as the Series Minis.
Leg 2 of the Solitaire ended yesterday at the Spanish Northwest Coast with the arrival of the last boats. With his victory, Sébastien Simon FRA took at the same time the 
After a fast ride across the Bay of Biscay, the fleet reached the port of call of the Solitaire leg 2 at the Spanish Northwest Coast this morning. Sébastien Simon FRA was the winner 20 minutes ahead of Xavier Macaire FRA, and another minute Eric Péron FRA on 3rd. Anthony Marchand FRA, winner of leg 1, followed as 4th with a 26 minutes' deficit. The new overall leader is therefore Simon FRA with a 26 minutes' advantage on Xavier Macaire FRA. The best woman 
