Troussel ahead

As the Grand Prix Guyader sets sail in Douarnanez

The start of the Grand Prix Guyader today saw competition from the M34s in the Volvo DRIVe Race and Open 7.40, Longtze and Mach 6.5 one designs as well as a fleet of 52 Dragons competing in the Brittany Coupe Crédit Mutuel. Today represented a fine start to the event ahead of the arrival of tomorrow’s forecast depression.

The Dragons began with a general recall at 14.40 local, with a second start under black flag. The heavy weights made their mark early with victory going to the Danish boat African Queen, followed by Bunker Prince (UKR 9) and Alisa (RUS 2).

Two races were held for the M34s, with eight boats from the Sailing Tour de France competing at the Grand Prix Guyader. The first race was won by Bretagne Crédit Mutuel, under skipper and double Solitaire du Figaro winner Nicolas Troussel.

The second was won by Corentin Douguet's crew on Nantes Saint Nazaire E.Leclerc. "This afternoon we were really racing," said the former Mini Transat winner. "The wind gradually built and by the end of the day we had up to 20 knots. We really made the most of it because tomorrow we don’t know if we will be able to sail. Although the low pressure system coming from Spain is taking such a random route that it could still change.” If conditions are over 25 knots tomorrow the Race Committee will suspend racing.

“There are going to be some fabulous battles out on the water,” added Douguet. “The Russian team are new to the circuit and although they are newcomers they are definitely ones to be watched; they are real contenders.”

Results here