27th Trophee Pinatel

REGATTA REPORT

Report by Roman Andrieux:

What a great race this 27th Pinatel Trophy at the CVP !

We had two days of racing, two different wheather, nice boats, a patient and efficient race committee, skippers and crew from all around the world, a very nice atmosphere and an international podium.

On Saturday, as the race was starting, there was almost no wind. Not even a breath. Barely enough anyway to go against the tide on the Seine river, only few kilometers downstream from Paris.

Officials tried to launch one or two races in those tough conditions with only limited success and cancellation to follow. Everyone was waiting for some wind to get in and we finally achieved to race a single heat by Saturday night.

Philippe Burban and his teen daughter did demonstrate great talent and experience to finish 1st in front of a solid 11 star boats fleet.

It was then time to meet at the bar where we had the chance to share some drinks also with Pierre Mathթ, Pinatel Trophy founder, who came to welcome all Star crews. During the official dinner, Christian Desouches, CVP President, had a kind word in English for all our foreign visitors.

The Sunday was a very nice day of sailing. A well established light breeze from the west with some puffs was giving chance even to port start on the line. We could race five heats with three different leaders before getting back to the crane. Despite strong competition, Thierry de la Villehuchet, with crew Caroll Mc Callum from Central Long Island Sound fleet, won three races to obtain a very well deserved win.

The price giving ceremony celebrated a three nation podium with USA _