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Franck Cammas won everthing in 2009 in the Sailing Stadium of La Grande Motte and he is starting off at the same pace in this 21st Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voiles. Photo Jean-Marie Liot /SailingOne
Franck Cammas started the 21st Trophée Clairefontaine des Champions de Voile as he finished the twentieth - by winning! The leader of Team Groupama dominated this afternoon, under a force three wind in the Sailing Stadium of La Grande Motte, at the end of the eight Warm-up Rhodia Runs, which are, in fact, training legs. The outcome of these Runs is an independent ranking which is not taken into account in the Trophée Clairefontaine itself, the start of which will take place tomorrow at 10:30. Franck Cammas, the title holder dominated over Loïck Peyron and Armel Le Cléac'h.
The basic workings of the Trophée Clairefontaine are intact for this twentieth anniversary. It should be understood that the atmosphere is closer to a street fight than a regatta between yacht men. In eight regattas, each lasting about ten minutes, six different champions have collected the honours and a victory. This gives you an idea of the intensity of this yacht battle. Franck Cammas dominated twice, as did Loïck Peyron. Luc Dubois and Team Alinghi opened the dance. Pascal Bidégorry won the third leg. For his first time taking part in this super champions' game, Armel Le Cléac'h won the fourth leg. Nicolas Charbonnier also showed his abilities in the gusts of this summer breeze. There is no doubt; the 21st Trophée Clairefontaine has got off to a fine start.
Today, Franck Cammas and Loïck Peyron demonstrated, more so than in previous years, that the difference is not to be made in the victories, which the champions share with ease, but in the less easy legs which handicap the skippers aiming at the higher steps of the podium. By observing the criss-crossing of the two champions, you will notice that Franck Cammas has never been ranked under sixth place, while Loïck Peyron has finished twice in seventh position. In short, to win the Trophée Clairefontaine, you need to store up a few victories, but, above all, to avoid being relegated to the back of the pack, even in just one leg. It is not always easy to be regular in top level racing, particularly, when all the crews have exactly the same equipment!
Tomorrow, two Open races are on the champion's programme, at 10:30 and at 15:30. These are the traditional coastal regattas which last between 45 and 90 minutes. The sailing show will really begin around 16:00, when the eight champions will meet in the Sailing Stadium, in front of the crowd, to carry out a series of three Runs to the rhythm of Shakira, Katy Perry and David Guetta. This cleverly creates an atmosphere on the sea wall, since, on the body of water, the champions do not need the summer chart toppers to bring to life to the dance floor.
Warm-up Rhodia Ranking: 1- Franck Cammas (3,5,6,2,1,2,4,1), 54 pts ; 2- Loïck Peyron (4,1,2,5,7,5,1,7), 45 pts ; 3- Armel Le Cléac'h (5,3,7,1,2,6,2,6), 44 pts ; 4- Luc Dubois - Team Alinghi (CH) (1,6,8,6,3,3,3,2), 43 pts ; 5- Nicolas Charbonnier (2,8,4,3,8,1,5,3), 41 pts ; 6- Pascal Bidégorry (6,4,1,4,6,7,8,4), 34 pts ; 7- Michel Desjoyeaux (8,2,5,8,4,4,6,5), 31 pts ; 8- Serge Madec (7,7,3,7,5,8,7,8), 20 pts.
Media relations: Sophie Grimaud / 06 15 04 77 87 / sophiegrimaud@voila.fr (Download the press release in PDF)
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