Saturday, September 7, 2013

INTERFACE CONCEPT 2 Pornic J/Cup Champion

J/80 one-design sailboats- sailing off Pornic, France (Pornic, France)- The French J/80 class continues the next stage of their season long J/Cup and this past weekend sixteen J/80s sailed the 11th edition of the Pornic J/Cup Regatta hosted by CN Pornic.  The crews were treated to gorgeous conditions with plenty of sun and winds that ranged from 10 to 25 kts all weekend!

J/80 one-design sailboats- starting to sail off Pornic, FranceThe three days of racing in great breeze enabled Alex Cordier, PRO on the CN Pornic Race Committee, to run nine races!  On Friday the 7-10 kts W/SW winds under a bright sun greeted the crews on the water, allowing the committee to send teams on three races.  Saturday's sailing again saw amazing conditions, with sustained 20-25 kt westerly breezes challenging all the competitors in true planing conditions-- the crews were exhausted after a thrilling day of four races.  The discussions that evening at dinner were all about mistakes, high-speed surfing and some of the more amazing broaches when crews missed their gybes.  Sunday's final day of racing saw less breeze, but lots more sun with the CNP PRO running two more races in a 10-15 kts westerly breeze in very tactical conditions.

J/80 winners sailing Pornic Cup off FranceIn the end, the crew of Simon MORICEAU on INTERFACE CONCEPT 2 sailed like a champion, garnering four 1sts and three 2nds on their way to being crowned Pornic J/Çup winners for 2013-- in fact, they didn't even have to sail the last race.  Giving them tough competition for most of the series was Herve Leduc sailing XTREME YACHTING JIBE SET, accumulating three 1sts, two 2nds and three 3rds to easily grab second place overall.  Herve Delaroux on JACUZZI snagged third overall, a much improved finish for him and most likely greatly appreciating having J/80 French Champion, Eric Brezellec, on board to help on speed and tactics!  Fourth position was taken by Frederic Hauville no ECOLE NAVALE and fifth was Franck Vallet on J'ALLUCINE.

The top women's team from Nantes, France was Catherine Lepesant sailing THIERRY IMMOBILIER, she was also seventh overall in the regatta!  Taking second place was Marion Ledoux's crew from Pornic sailing CASA BOUBOU.

The "Family Award" goes to the Stonestreet's sailing AVEVA from Rochelais, France-- six of them aboard including Gauthier, Noemie, Thomas, Marie, Lucie and Odie!  Proof that a family that lives together can also have fun sailing together!  For more Pornic J/Cup Regatta sailing information