Gery Trentesaux Triumphs Again

 
At 0630 BST on Saturday 3 July, Chris Little 's IC45 Bounder took line honours in a remarkable Cowes-Dinard-St Malo race.  126 boats had entered to take part in the RORC's traditional race to St Malo which usually results in a great run ashore.  With strong winds, owners and skippers had to decide whether or not to start, with only 75 of them deciding their boats and crew were prepared sufficiently and coming to the RYS start line.    

Two reefs in the main seemed to be the norm as the fleet started to the West in a S/SW 6/7.  Magnum II (Andrew Pearce) was one of the first to report his retirement due to a split mainsail.  This was to be the first of many calls to the Race Committee. Damaged sails, rig problems and mal de mer were all taking their toll.  Boats were reporting 30 knots in the Solent and up to 40 knots as they crossed the Channel heading for France .    

The Race Committee, based in the Yacht Club de Dinard, began to wonder just how many boats would finish this race.  The finishing line boat supplied and skippered by Christian Fougeray, brother of the Yacht Club de Dinard's new President, Gerard - who also braved the uncomfortable conditions - went out on station for 24 hours and finished 42 of the fleet.

Following Bounder home at 0717 was Richard Roscoe's multihull Triohe, the only one to finish out of three multihulls who started.

Peter Hopps & Hilary Cook's Volvo 60, Innovation K2, was also the only boat in Super Zero to finish, arriving in St Malo at 0745.

At 0829, Gery Trentesaux crossed the line with his chartered Grand Soleil 45, Satori Courrier Ile de France.  This was to prove good enough for them to take the coveted King Edward VII trophy for BCT.  Commenting after the race, Gery said that this had not been an easy race, the boat being difficult to steer in those challenging conditions and although fast, the crew got cold and wet.  However the 100 mile upwind sail had been good training for his Rolex Commodores’ Cup team.  He now plans new sails for the boat and work will be done on the hull before they defend their title in Cowes later this month.  The French boats for the 3 RRC teams have been announced and the exact team combination should be known by Monday.     

Other French RRC team boats who did well were the Sinergia 40 Paprec Recyclage ( Stephane Neve ) coming third in IRC1 and the J109 Pen Azen owned by Philippe Delaporte who achieved first in IRC2.

Finishing at 0901,   Jaques Pelletier's X43   L’Ange de Milon won IRC1

With ISAF Special Regulations in force all boats in RORC races prepare for tough conditions and none more than those going double handed.  Six boats started with two finishing – Michel Kleinjans’ Lutra 40, Roaring Forty and Guy McBride's Storm 33, Exeat.

Thanks are due to the Yacht Club de Dinard for hosting the race and to the Societe Nautique de la Baie de St Malo for their co-operation.

Trophies were presented at the Yacht Club de Dinard on Sunday 4 July.  RORC medallions will be presented on Tuesday 13 July at the Clubhouse, 20 St James's Place, London SWl.  All crews will be welcome.  

King Edward VII Cup – BCT IRC        Satori Courrier ile de France      Gerry Trentesaux and Steven Blom   

Derek Boyer Trophy – 2 ^nd BCT IRC                 Bounder            C G Little

RORC Medallion – IRC SZ      Innovation K2   Peter Hopps & Hilary Cook

Noryema Trophy – IRC Z         Satori Courrier ile de France      Gerry Trentesaux

2 ^nd        Bounder                        C G Little

3 ^rd        Roaring Forty                Michel Kleinjans

Yeoman Bowl – IRC 1              L’Ange de Milon           Jaques Pelletier

2 ^nd        BPO Granville Sea FM Karibario Racing Sarl

3 ^rd        Paprec Recyclage                      Stephane Neve

YC de Dinard Trophy – IRC 2 Pen Azen           Philippe Delaporte

2 ^nd        Jou Jou Extra                 Bertrand Cothier

3 ^rd        Leonardo                      Eric Mordret

4 ^th        Winsome                       Harry Heijst

5 ^th        Brittanny Ferries            Lognone

IR Trophy – IRC 3        Apsara              Jean-Michel Mercier

2 ^nd        Iromiguy            Jean-Yves Chateau

3 ^rd        Hai-Tsiang         Jean-Michel Hoarau

4 ^th        Ortolan Bruno Guiomar

Passmore Bowl – most numerous production boat class in IRC Apsara              Jean-Michel Mercier                  First 31.7

Sandison Memorial Salver – 1 ^st Boat Home                   Bounder           C G Little

Newcome Hoare Trophy – best IRC yacht on corrected time with 25% of the crew under 25     Brittanny Ferries             Lognone

Roulette Trophy – best Contessa 32 belonging to the class Association   Not Awarded

Holman Cup – BCT IRM          Bounder                        C G Little

Yacht Club de France Sheild – Largest class        IRC2   Pen Azen           Philippe Delaporte

John West Trophy – Inter-Club Challenge                      Yacht Club de Dinard

Satori Courrier ile de France                  Gerry Trentesaux

Leanardo                       Eric Mordret

RORC Prize – Multihulls                        Triohe               Richard Roscoe

RORC Prize – 2 Handed Division                      Roaring Forty                Michel Kleinjans

Seahorse Division                      Roaring Forty                Michel Kleinjans