(Marseilles, France)- Damien Iehl and his French Match Racing Team made the perfect start to their World Match Racing Tour season after defeating Bertrand Pace's Aleph Sailing Team in an all French Final at Match Race France in Marseille. Surprised? Most French sailors in J/80s wouldn't be. After all, only 107 J/80s recently sailed Spi Ouest-France. Many French sailors are fast in J/80s.
This
was Iehl's second ever victory on the World Match Racing Tour following
his win at Match Race Germany in 2008 (also in J/80s) and his early
justification for being awarded a Tour Card for the 2011 season. The
victory caps a week in which the Frenchman has been in majestic form,
firstly by Qualifying in second position, then defeating the 2003 Tour
Champion Jesper Radich (DEN) 3-1 in the Semi-Finals and finally Pace in
the first all French Final on the Tour since 2007. Sailing Photo by Nico Martinez/ www.nicomartinez.com. Sailing Photo Gilles Martin-Raget / Match Race France
