J/122 J Lance IV Excels
(Marseilles, France)- It was a grandiose final in Marseilles to round off the SNIM (International Nautical Mediterranean Week), where a series of races were launched in the northern harbour in a steady 20-25 knots of NW wind and a big swell after two days of Mistral. And when the Mistral comes into play, the spectacle is well worth a look: surfing, broaches to windward and leeward and a lot of boats heeling a bit too much! It has to be said that the tough conditions have forged the SNIM's reputation over the years, to the extent that today it has become a real trademark of the competition.For a lot of crews the SNIM marks the end of the winter and the weather really threw everything at the competitors. With Southerly wind, Easterly wind and then a steady Northerly, followed by a powerful Mistral, there really was something for everyone. “That’s what the SNIM is all about: blue, white and wind” resumed the President of the Société Nautique, Bernard Amiel.
In IRC Class 2 with twelve boats, the J/122 J LANCE IV sailed by George Asperti and crew reveled in the windy conditions to sail a nice series and finish third in a very competitive class. Sailing in IRC Class 3 with twenty-three boats was Phillipe De Sainges in his J/109 GALANGA, getting just sixth amongst some fierce competitors. Another J/109 racing in an IRC configuration with conventional spinnaker pole was Richard Burton's JET LAG, getting just eighth place after a few bad races going the wrong way. The lone J/92 JIN-TONIC sailed by Bernard Daurelle racing against fourteen boats in IRC Class 5 was third overall! For more information on SNIM Sailing results. Photo credits by Gilles Martin-Raget