Grand Prix Facchinetti Automobiles at Société Nautique de Genève - Day 1
by Sandra Mudronja 12 Oct 2012 21:08 BST
12-14 October 2012
Grand Prix Facchinetti Automobiles day 1 © Pierre Menoux
The Société Nautique de Genève welcomes the Grand Prix Facchinetti Automobiles this weekend, last stage of the Vulcain Trophy 2012, presented by Business & Decision. While Realstone Sailing, skippered by Jérôme Clerc, has already won the Trophy, Alinghi team led by Ernesto Bertarelli seems to be able to secure the second place. The third place is still very undecided between de Rham Sotheby's of Philippe Cardis and Ladycat helmed by Dona Bertarelli.
Under a beautiful sky loaded with great clouds the D35 catamarans met in the harbor of Geneva this morning for the last race of the season. Three regattas were sailed in a very variable and shifty southwesterly breeze. During the last race, the wind reached 20 knots and some teams decided to reduce the sails. The show was amazing at the end of the day with a beautiful autumn sunshine!
In this dramatic atmosphere, the racing was intense. Some breakage has to be reported: Veltigroup and Okalys Corum have torn their gennakers. Veltigroup has collided with Nickel and gets away with a cracked bow. They decided however to continue to sail for the day.
Realstone Sailing takes the lead from the start of the event, with a second place and two victories. With 4 points, the team led by Jérôme Clerc is closely followed by Alinghi, helmed by Ernesto Bertarelli (7 pts), who easily won the second race of the day. Not far behind, Artemis Racing, skippered by Torbjorn Tornqvist, makes a nice start and gets to the 3rd step of the provisional podium with 11 pts.
The duel between de Rham Sotheby's (Philippe Cardis) and Ladycat (Dona Bertarelli) for the third step of the podium of the Vulcain Trophy 2012 is still in the programme, although Zen Too helmed by Fred Le Peutrec has slipped in-between and stands at equal points with de Rham Sotheby's. A great fight is expected between Zen Too and Artemis Racing for 5th place. If weather conditions permit, up to 18 races could be sailed in the beautiful nautical stadium of Geneva harbor, shared this weekend with the Moths (Swiss Nationals) and the participants of the Syz & Co Speed Week 2012.
The Grand Prix Facchinetti Automobiles marks the end of the season. A Prize Giving ceremony will be held on Sunday at the Société Nautique de Genève, during which the Vulcain Trophy will be awarded.
Results after Day 1:
1. Realstone Sailing (1-2-1)
2. Alinghi (2-1-4)
3. Artemis (3-6-2)
4. de Rham-Sothebys (7-3-5)
5. Zen Too (5-4-6)
6. Ladycat (8-5-3)
7. Nickel (6-8-7)
8. Okalys (4-9-9)
9. Veltigroup (dnf-7-8)
A photo gallery named "Archives 2004-2010" is now available on the website, showing images of the epic D35 series since its start in 2004. The complete results also on www.vulcaintrophy.com