A weather without wind, the difficulty, the slight and erratic breezes, all these are the nightmares of the racers on regattas. Yet, during this 2010 edition of the Marie-Agnès Péron Trophy, the racers had to sail with these stressful wind conditions. As good competitors, they did it with or rather without!
Harsh this 2010 MAP trophy ! “ A calm weather ? it adds some stress.” Guillaume Le Brec ( Eva Luna ) recognized. A calm weather forces us to set continuously and at the millimetre. A calm weather incredibly complicates the strategical deal : at 2 or 4, maximum 5 knots, it is difficult to attempt something, an edge of factor or to play on the speed potential of his boat. But it is possible. You see, Amaury François, left in last position because of electronical problems at the departure, then left again in last position because of a worry of anchorage in the Raz de Sein, and yet ke ranks 2nd in Serie ! In prototype, the finish between Jorg Riechers and Guillaume le Brec resolved with a tactical approach. All, with more or less success and/ or lucidity, kept on watching the flurry and on playing with the coasts effects.
No matter the breeze is, the regatta is still the regatta, but we must admitt that the Marie-Agnès Péron trophy was very harsh as Davy Beaudart ( Nauty Mor ) winner in Serie summoned up : “ it is one of the gruelling races I have ever taken part in”.
Close to and then close...
After the level crossing by the Raz de Sein, where 3 boats alone, the three firsts sailed free of worries. A second sharp brake reunited the leaders at the Birvideaux. Then, they need to hard work physically and morally. After 24 hours sailing without sleeping, the single-handed racers got the confirmation that they would return to Douarnenez, in about 0 to 5 knots of wind ! which is just not on for the mini racers! In these cases, the best is not to think a lot, to take a deep breath and to concentrate on the running of the boat, on the tactic. On land, it would be time to reflect on the pangs of difficulty ! The most perceptives have succeeded in doing great tactical jobs on this completely “open” return ( without any course maker ), the most tired ones have set whatever’s best their minis so as not to fall behind.
Finally, all exhausted and unanimously happy to have participated in this MAP trophy, the competitors will meet up tonight at 8:00 p.m for the prize-giving. Some will still be at sea, the last competitors will arrive all along the night. The welcome will be all the more cordial. This third half is looming as tired as the race ! A number of competitors of the MAP trophy will meet up again in a few days to race the Mini Fastnet. The race keeps on in June in Douarnenez!
They sait it !
The german Jorg Riechers ( Mare.De ), winner of the 2010 MAP Trophy shared his astonishment, his joy and maybe one of his secrets... “ I’m always happy and astonished to win ! I never expect it. There are very good sailors on the Mini Circuit. There are about 5 or 6 who are, each of them, approximately equally good, racing on boats that sail well. It is a succession of victories : 2nd of the Select 6.50, 1st of the Mini Pavois and now I win. It’s like a dream ! The difference is to be found on the adjustments because I worked a lot on it last winter. By now, I know quickly which one is the optimal adjustment for each wind and sea condition. Here, in this type of demanding weather condition, it’s of course an asset.”
Guillaume Le Brec ( Eva Luna ), 2nd of the MAP trophy, he has fought along these 180 miles first on the race edge to edge with Jorg Riechers. “ It is a crazy race ! Intense from the beginning to the end ! We race edge to edge and simulteanously the course allows us to choose strategically, this is really fun ! With Jorg, yesterday, we meet up at dawn and we stay together all day long! The second night, I went to find a planned rotation wind on the coast, but I went too late : we were already in Penmarc’h. It is at that precise moment that Jorg broke away. But it was fantastic and I am really proud of the result.”
Romain Bouchet, almost novice on the circuit, taking the helm of his “ Brazelleg”, one plan Dejeanty of 2003, starts beautifully his second Mini season ranking at the 3rd place on the MAP trophy. From start to finish of these 180 miles, he fought with the favourites and the vey last proto. “ I spent many hours to work on my boat last winter. I invest a lot... this is the reward : the boat sails well, even if it is older, heavier than nowadays protos all made up of carbon.”
Davy Beaudart ( Nauty Mor ) wins in Serie boats just before Amaury François (www.amauryfrancois.com) coming back from the “ diable vauvert”. Continuously under the pressure, also continuously before, Davy gets everything to gain a deserved victory ! “ So complicated this race ? Complicated is a poor word ! I have never raced a so wearing race! There was so a wide range of conditions that we have never found the time to rest ! I succeed in widening the gap 2 times and everytime it has stamped. We had to struggle, believe in it and go back again ! Wearing ! ...”
Amaury François ( www.amauryfrancois.com) is 2nd in Serie boats. Leaving on the last position from the Raz de Sein, he played with speed, strategies and ... made sweet dreams ! ... To finish on a remarkable ascent ! “ I got electronic problems then of anchorage : I went on the going down to Groix on the last position ! Then, I catched up little by little, my speed was correct and I launched 2 or 3 tactical approachs that worked well. And I must win the Gold Marmot. I sleep a lot when I am on race, about 3 or 4 jours a day!”
Bruno Simmonet ( El Nono ), 3rd in Serie, fought all along. “ It was wearing and even sometimes dangerous when we skidded because of the stream. But is was a captivating race, you must be careful all the time, find the veins of the winds, the going up streams. Anyway, if you did not try something, you would not be able to gain ground!”