Key points :
. Event leader Lorina Limonade wins Act 6 coastal race and increases lead overall
. Trésors de Tahiti « at home » in the Med
. Team Lorina Mojito-Golfe du Morbihan new leader of Young and Amateur rankings
. Oman Airports score their best result since Dunkirk
Tour de France à la Voile is back to France after three days in Spain and Act 6 started today with a coastal race in Gruissan. Young tandem Quentin Delapierre and Matthieu Salomon were eager to confirm their leadership, and they did it again, with an amazing victory on the 40 mile raid along the coastline of Roussillon. « The course was set in a way to avoid going offshore because of strong wind conditions », explains Lorina Limonade-Golfe du Morbihan co-skipper Quentin Delapierre. « So in that case, it is an upwind downwind turn and you have to take the lead quite quickly to have the fresh air. That’s what we did, leading the fleet at the first mark. We crossed the finish line with about six minutes lead, but in reality five boats could have won today ».
And in second position on the finish line is Trésors de Tahiti again. After their victory yesterday in Gruissan, Med specialist Dimitri Deruelle stepped onboard with Pierre Pennec and Teva Plichart, and called perfect tactics around the course. « It’s fantastic for The Tahiti project », said Pierre Pennec after racing. « It was so peaceful and quiet onboard. Other crew can be stressed when it comes to make decision about wind force and direction and when to tack or not. But we even had a laugh at some stage. I think we are relaxed because we don’t have any pressure for results. Last year I was with Groupama and we got stuck in a lull while the others escaped ahead, so it’s nice to turn it around this year ! »
With Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne failing in scoring a top result today, Team Lorina Limonade – Golfe du Morbihan increase their lead to 48 points over Nicolas Troussel and his crew and Grandeur Nature Véranda are now pushing 4 points behind in third place. But tonight sees a new leader in the Young and Amateur Rankings, with another Lorina, Mojito skippered by Riwan Perron et Solune Robert. The young crew finished third and with their main rival Team France Jeune finishing 21st, they are now moving up to top their leaderboard. « It is so satisfying for us as it was a very tricky race. Achille did a great job calling the tactics. He is from Montpellier so he knows all the tricks about the local wind Tramontana. We did everything we wanted and we had a great boat speed. We are still far from the overall leaders, but it’s nice to top the young and amateur rankings ».
Oman Airports had their best result since Dunkirk today. Omani team finished 4th and seems to improve day after day. But tomorrow for the inshore races, Stevie Morrison will step off to go and do the commentary for the Cup in England. He will be replaced by another skipper.
