Trophée Guillaume le Conquerant
| le Havre – Cowes 3 May 2009 
Weather Skipper Watch Leaders Crew Results |
Report After a fine lunch at the clubhouse Space Race slipped Le Havre just after 3pm local time to find the committee boat for the start of this race. There seemed to be about a dozen boats preparing to start the return race home. Space Race made a much improved start crossing the line seconds after the final signal. In a fresh breeze we beat towards the windward mark under full main and genoa. We were pleased to see Pi Squared close by again although she was now making good progress ahead of us. We tacked several times to eventually leave the East Cardinal Marker to starboard. At this time the decision was taken to change down to the No. 3 headsail as Space Race felt a tad overpowered. This improved our heel angle considerably after which the crew settled down into the long tack north across the channel as the wind continued a steady 16kts from the west. Visibility was good and we could clearly make out other racing yachts to our west and also ahead. Pi Squared alas was now out of sight. The wind continued steadily and by early evening had risen slightly to 18-20kts at which time we decided to take in a reef which immediately improved our heel angle and allowed us greater control on the traveller. Space Race continued on the same heading and we continued to manage around 8kts of speed allowing us to overhaul a couple of boats. Our strategy was to continue to head north and pick up a favourable tide heading westwards and also a predicted wind veer to the north. After midnight the wind weakened considerably. The No3 was replace by the No1 and the reef removed allowing the full sail plan to maintain a lower speed. This continued for the rest of the night but alas the wind veer never arrived. We were able to maintain a heading of around 330 which took us towards the NAB tower. We could see the glow of Brighton on the horizon as the dawn approached and we were able to race one more yacht at close quarters prior to heading off slightly more west and slowing. We eventually crossed the finish line between the forts at 08:15:30. This race, organised by the Société des Régates du Havre, does not contribute to the RORC entry requirements for the Fastnet Race. |