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The show given by the champions of the Trophée Clairefontaine de Valencia has livened up the Marina Real Juan Carlos st to the sound of operatic arias during the whole afternoon.
Photo Jean-Marie Liot / SailingOne Six regattas out of the nine regattas of the 19th Trophée Clairefontaine have been raced today. The first of them, the Copa Valencia Yacht Base, was raced in front of Valencia Beach. After that, the five regattas 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 regatta, 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. In fact, thirty points will be distributed tomorrow during the three legs left. 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.
Tonight in Valencia, Loïck Peyron is only slightly in front of Luc Dubois, who finished second of the 2007 edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine of Sailing Champions, only one point behind the Frenchman Michel Desjoyeaux. It gives you an idea of how the intensity among the crews will grow 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 smiley face but a strong confidence: "As long as the last arrival line is not crossed, the competition is still open … ".
Nevertheless, the Spanish man 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 regatta even allowed Alinghi Red to win more precious points with however Loïck Peyron finishing second. Only a slight advantage. Nicolas Charbonnier was still fighting and won the third place. It seems like he took a subscription to this third place after his 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 arrival to the Frenchwoman Claire Leroy who unfortunately crossed the line only a few seconds after him but with the crowd gathered along the quay on her side. A public who even booed the winner as Claire Leroy and her all-female crew deserved this victory! During the fifth regatta, Loïck Peyron reminded everybody who the boss is here in Valencia - so far. This new 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 regattas are scheduled. After that, Rita Barberá Nollá, Mayor of Valencia, will present the cups to the winners with Jean-Marie Nusse, President of the Papeteries Clairefontaine (Clairefontaine Stationary).
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