07.10.11
Showtime on the race zone:
Race For Water (3rd, 1st and 2nd) and Gitana 11- Edmond de Rothschild Group (2nd, 2nd and 1st) enjoyed an almost faultless round of races today, providing some top-level racing!
In addition to the fact that they were very aggressive in the start phases, Stève Ravussin and his tactician François Morvan performed some perfect trajectories, which were absolutely spot-on as regards the most direct course. They kept up the pressure in relation to the prototype Gitana 11-Edmond de Rothschild Group, which enabled the Swiss crew to dominate in Race 2. Ultimately, it was down to a positioning error committed just shy of the finish line in Race 3, that Race for Water yielded to the crew helmed by Sébastien Josse.
Having dominated today’s first fleet race from beginning to end, Michel Desjoyeaux and his crew aboard the MOD70 Foncia found themselves vying with Roland Jourdain and Veolia Environnement in the two following races, in what proved to be a match within a match. With the two crews battling on an equal footing, it was a game of cat and mouse, each taking turns to get the upper hand. Both authors of some poorly negotiated starts, the crews certainly weren’t lacking in motivation and had what it took to keep up the pace.
The Speed Match, races within a race:
The end of the afternoon, like yesterday, was opened up to duels between the four teams, which involved return sprints with the wind on the beam. These runs were notably aimed at separating those boats which were tied on points after the day’s first three races.
Live ‘in-your-face’ coverage…!
Thanks to the installation of a substantial audiovisual production package (six image and audio sources: helicopters, boats, onboard cameras aboard Veolia Environnement and Race for Water, complemented by two sources of 3D tracking) and a partnership with the AMP Visual TV Group, the last two KRYS MATCH races of the day were able to be followed live on the official website www.krys-oceanrace.com
Twenty-seven people were in charge of creating and producing this live show and there were more than 2,000 of you in front of your screens!
Quotes from the boats:
Stève Ravussin, skipper of the MOD70 Race for Water: “We’re really happy! We got off to some good starts and managed to pull off the majority of our manœuvres. I’m very happy with my team, which is progressing very fast. François Morvan, our tactician adapted very quickly and traced us some fine trajectories. It’s not a done deal yet though! Let’s wait till tomorrow night!”
Sébastien Josse, skipper of the prototype Gitana 11-Edmond de Rothschild Group: “For us coming along to the KRYS MATCH is the opportunity to observe our future rivals in the MOD70 class. At the end of the first two days of racing we can see that there’s little separating us now. The MOD70s have come up to our expectations, namely a trimaran capable of sailing in 30 knots of wind, without us having to effect repairs in the evening. Furthermore, the race format makes it possible to run a whole series of races, which leaves the playing field wide open in competitive terms!”
Programme for Saturday 8 October in La Trinité-sur-Mer:
1000 to 1230 hours Pro-am
1400 to 1630 hours Three fleet races
1730 hours Prize-giving
