23rd Spi-Ouest Regatta at La Trinite-sur-Mer - Day Two

Day two started with an Easterly 10 knot breeze and a full day of sunshine which was welcome for the British contingent who had seen very little of it in the last 6 months.

The wind held out for the majority of race one before becoming fickle as the temperature rose. The second race was the traditional Spi-Ouest 'long race' around bouys and posts in the bay of Quiberon. This was dramatically shortened for the Sportsboats and smaller one-designs after a few legs as the remaining Easterly battled with a new breeze. By the end of race two the new breeze had won and the fleet finished in a good wind.

In the J/24s David Ellis was the man of the day with his team in 'Hitchhiker' (pictured below) as they collected two 1st places to move to first overall. Jo English had a good day in his Cork 1720 with a 1st and 2nd place in the Sportsboat fleet.

The pontoons and walkways ashore were packed with the Easter tourists, who had come down to La Trinite to see the racing and view the new 60 foot trimaran 'FujiColor' sitting on the dock together with some of the Open 60s from the Vendee Globe.

Also pictured below is one of the Open 7.5s that have become quite popular in France. They are easily capable of planing on a reach in around 10 knots of wind.

Day Two Photographs: Click thumbnail for full image - © Mark Jardine

More Information:

• Spi-Ouest Regatta Website with full results