NATIONAL REPORT - FRANCE
Med focus for 2020... full of hope for 2021 Jean-Bernard Datry, the President of the French Association, explains the activities of the French fleet during 2020 - more information at their website http://french55.unblog.fr.
W
ith the Lorient Open Metric and the Atlantic Metric Challenge having been cancelled in 2020, the 5.5 French sailors turned to the Mediterranean sea, which has a later season. Fortunately, the European Championship in Sanremo and the Régates Royales in Cannes were maintained. Four 5.5s, two members from the Yacht Club de l’Odet, one from La Baule, and one from Fouesnant decided to race despite the current health crisis. Two of them went beforehand for a warm-up race at the Noirmoutier Classic, organised at the last minute, to play
in the currents of the Bourgneuf bay with the 5.5 Cybèle II, a ‘mockup’ of the 12 Metre France I. European Championship in SanRemo Four French boats made the trip: Bagheera VIII (FRA 43 Evolution 85), Joker (FRA 50 - Evolution 93), Enez C’Las (FRA 51 - Modern) and Korrigan (FRA 19 - Classic) Light winds and choppy water did not favour these boats over modern boats. In these difficult conditions, the best French was Enez C’las (FRA 51), helmed by Nicolas Abiven, of the APCC (winner in particular of the Transat Jacques Vabre, the Admiral’s Cup, the Fastnet, the Tour de France of sailing, and the Mumm 36 world championship, multiple French Champion in Dragon) which took 13th place overall, crewed by Sylvie and Yann Delabrière. A special mention must go to Korrigan (FRA 19 Copponex plan, built in 1961): Gurvan Jaouen (YCO) spent half the week alone because he arrived without his crew from the French Navy, who withdrew due to quarantine. Despite the health restrictions, the Yacht Club de Sanremo organised a fabulous event, an excellent competition in sometimes difficult weather conditions. Hospitality ashore was perfect with refreshments, white wine and pasta (of course) after each day of racing in an open and spacious but sheltered setting.
Left: Bagheera VIII et Korrigan in Sanremo (Robert Deaves) Top: Enez C’Las in Sanrrmo (Robert Deaves) • Right: Stormy weather in Cannes (Robin Christol) Top right: Joker in Cannes
