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19th Trophee Clairefontaine

Posted 2 months, 18 days ago

19th Trophee Clairefontaine
www.Sail-Search.com: Six races of the scheduled nine of the 19th Trophée Clairefontaine were sailed today. The first of them, the Copa Valencia Yacht Base, took place in front of Valencia Beach. After that, the five races left took place in the Marina Real Juan Carlos 1st, the port of the 2007 America's Cup. Loïck Peyron made the first move by winning the first race, in front of the American Ed Baird (Alinghi Black). But tonight, it is the Swiss Luc Dubois (Alinghi Red) who is the one to keep an eye on, as he is only three points behind Loïck Peyron. The Frenchman Nicolas Charbonnier is third in the provisional general ranking in front of of the American Ed Baird (Alinghi Black) and the Spanish Fernando León. Photo Jean-Marie Liot / SailingOne Tonight in Valencia, Loïck Peyron is only slightly ahead of Luc Dubois, who finished second in the 2007 edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine of Sailing Champions, only one point behind the Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux. It gives you an idea of the intense competition among the crews tomorrow between 1.00pm and 3.00pm. "After all, it's like that every year" Loïck Peyron pointed out at his arrival on the pontoon "it's always during the last tack of the ultimate regatta of the Trophée Clairefontaine that the title is won!". The Swiss Luc Dubois confirmed this fact. He added with a smile: "As long as the last finish line is not crossed, the competition is still open...". Nevertheless, the Spaniard Fernando León started well in the Runs raced on the Sailing Stadium, by winning two legs of the Trophée Clairefontaine with a good advantage in terms of points over Loïck Peyron and Nicolas Charbonnier. The third race even allowed Alinghi Red to win more precious points with Loïck Peyron finishing second. Nicolas Charbonnier is still fighting and finished in third place matching his third place Bronze Medal won recently during the Beijing Olympic Games in the 470 Class. Luc Dubois did it again in the fourth leg, by stealing the finish from the Frenchwoman Claire Leroy who unfortunately crossed the line only a few seconds after him but with much support from the crowd gathered along the quayside, who even booed the winner as Claire Leroy and her all-female crew deserved this victory! During the fifth race, Loïck Peyron reminded everybody who the boss is here in Valencia. This victory allowed the Frenchman to get more precious points. However, the advantage he had won started to melt away under the sun of Valencia during the last run of the day, as Luc Dubois won this last battle and Loïck Peyron only finished fifth of this leg. Tomorrow, three races are scheduled. After that, Rita Barberá Nollá, Mayor of Valencia, will present the trophies to the winners with Jean-Marie Nusse, President of the Papeteries Clairefontaine (Clairefontaine Stationary). Full Story »

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