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2008/07/11 - 19h49
The crew of Groupama, Cammas and Lagarrigue, vice world champions of Formula 18
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| F18 Worlds - from 5th to 11th July in Nigrán (Pontevedra) - Spain |
| On the Nigrán race zone, the suspense reached fever pitch at the finish of the last race. With the breeze disappearing, the
sports catamarans ended their world championship. The hierarchy reigning since the start of the week was shattered as a result
of a shifty wind both in terms of strength and direction. Strewn across the race zone in the bay of Nigrán, the world's top
specialists were lost.
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Twelfth in the first race of the day, the Groupama crew, Cammas - Lagarrigue, are delighted with their very fine second
place in the general ranking behind the Dutch crew of de Konig and Van Leuuwen sporting No.3 on their mainsail. Behind
these two leaders, the podium candidates are as numerous as they are deserving. Whether they're called Mourniac - Citeau,
Booth, Mischa, Styles or even Landenberger, they all have the stature to become a world champion.
On
the start line, after an initial general recall, the race committee hoists the black flag which means that, in the event that
a boat crosses the line prior to the final start procedure, it is disqualified. In these conditions, everyone keeps a low
profile. Well positioned at the committee boat end, the crew of Groupama get off to an excellent start to windward of the
Dutch champion Mitch Booth. Nevertheless, the situation quickly reveals that those who set off from the leeward mark have
made the right choice. Whilst some crew are sitting on the float, others are on the wire. At this pace some gaps soon open
up. In the leading group at the first mark, solely the fellow French crew Mourniac - Citeau is a danger in the general ranking.
Specialists in the Formula 18 for a number of years, they form part of the cream of the circuit and fully intend to remain
there.
Not really on form, Franck and Jérémie force themselves not to founder. At the same first mark, they are in
23rd position. If things don't change a podium place and any dreams of a championship title will be over. It's little consolation
but there are a lot of crews in the same situation. Booth is floundering, the French crew Moana - Petit no better and the
leaders of the general ranking are just ahead.
Never defeated, the crew of Groupama have the pedal to the floor.
On the first downwind tack, they don't make any gains. The second upwind section proves more profitable with a passage in
17th position at the point they attack the final stretch of this world championship. But whilst Mourniac - Citeau are battling
for victory, it is imperative that Cammas-Lagarrigue finish higher than fifteenth.
Concentrated and applied, they
position their catamaran perfectly on the race zone. Whilst the leaders suffer from a wind which is losing power dramatically,
their pursuers get some wind back in their sails. Positioned inshore, the Groupama duo accelerate and pass an entire group
on the finish line.
It nevertheless proves difficult to give an accurate ranking as the boats pile in one on top
of the other. During the return to the beach where the boats are pulled out, calm reigns. Nobody yet knows who the champion
is. Some hope, others doubt.
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It's only once they get to land, in front of the notice board, that the faces say it all. The young Dutch crew Coen de
Koning and Jeroen van Leeuwen are visibly shocked to find they are the champions. And yet, that is exactly what they are,
with a two point lead over the crew of Groupama and five over the other Dutch crew Mischa - Tentij.
"If they'd
offered us this ranking at the start of the week we'd have snapped it up" said a delighted Franck Cammas who continues:
"We really battled hard though it's a shame that we missed out on the title by just two points. That's the name of the
game though and we're proud of the result. I think it's been a long time since a French team has achieved such a good result".
Alongside
him, Jérémie Lagarrigue is happy: "It's great. We are vice champions of the world. Franck and I got on really well and
had a lot of fun. He is really talented".
The compliment can certainly be returned to Jérémie, the Formula
18 specialist who has really helped Franck discover the secrets of the Nacra aboard which they sailed in this world championship.
Rendez-vous
next week at Brest 2008 with Groupama 2 then, on to Cowes on the Isle of Wight for the Ishares Cup where the
skipper of Groupama will sail with some familiar faces from the Formula 18 world championship, and Dutch sailor Mischa in
particular; the latter third in the general ranking.
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