Press
Release n° 7
The
overall leaders, Fleur de Lys in the Modern category and Vision
of Sebago in the Sira category, confirm their supremacy at the
end of the fifth round
Once the race committee was sure that the wind was well established, it gave the go-ahead for the fifth round of the World Championship 2003. A wise decision as conditions were ideal : a 12 knot westerly breeze, brilliant sunshine and a slightly choppy sea. Silk stated that she would not be racing and so at 15h 36, 19 competitors set out on a fifth windward-leeward loop of around 10 miles.
The helmsmen no doubt had yesterday’s false starts in mind and managed their eagerness better on the start lien today. There was no question of taking too much of a risk. Only Mystery got away too early and had to come back and cross the line again to repair her mistake. She never the less succeeded in rounding the first windward mark placed fourth, after having made her way back up through the fleet.
Once again Fleur de Lys soon moved into the lead, followed by the Swiss Aluette. In the Sira category, Vision of Sebago, helmed by Frank Munier from Arcachon confirmed his previous day’s performance. In stable weather conditions, Fauroux’s crew (Fleur de Lys) sailed worry-free right through to the finish, clocking up her fifth win in a row after 1h 45 on the race course, tow and a half minutes ahead of Yquem. A fine race performance also on the part of Aluette and Lafayette who finished third and fourth just 11 seconds apart.
By finishing seventh (after having been 5th for a while), Vision of Sebago wins the Sira category for this fifth round. A last-minute crew, comprising people from Arcachon and Brittany, it would appear that the Nicholson yacht, designed in 1930 was quick to find her feet, as confirmed by today’s performance.
Finishing eighth overall today, Bona finishes 2nd of the Sira category and 1st in the Coupe Cartier. But the outcome of the jury’s deliberations have to be heard before final places can be confirmed.
Two days before the end of the World Championship, whilst this event has confirmed which are the leading boats in the overall rankings, Sira and Cartier, it has brought about one or two changes for the following boats. Aluette moves into second place overall after her fine 3rd place this afternoon.
The
Coupe Cartier
Founded in Geneva in 1998, the Coupe Cartier is awarded to the winner of the Vintage series in the 8M IC World Championship, reserved for yachts which have been conserved as closely as possible to their original construction (wooden mast, sails made of classic materials) and which have undergone no major modification.
The Vintage 8 M IC are exceptional yachts, built in the 1920-1940’s, telling the long story of this class, built on passion and elegance. Among those present in La Trinité for this 2003 Championship, are Bona (1934), Catina IV (1936), Amorevita (1939), Enchantement (1923), Suzette (1930), together with Aile VI (1928), Virginei Hériot’s legendary yacht.
On Friday evening, the winner of the Coupe Cartier 2003 will raise the silver trophy at the end of a day under the special patronage of the jeweler, a trophy decorated with the three famous rings, symbols of freidnship, fidelity and love. A cup desgined for the occasion in Cartier’s creation workshops and for which the event is raced every year.
Today’s rankings :
Round
n°5 – Wednesday 18th June – start : 15h 36
Overall
provisional rankings after 5 rounds
Coupe
Cartier after 5 rounds |
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