The wind has finally rose at the Mark Foy Trophy, international 18 foot skiff gathering at the Carnac Yacht Club from June 28th to July 4th. A late 10 knots breeze has swept across the bay of Quiberon to the 30 teams delight who have up to now to race in light winds.
10 knots, it's not much but it's enough to launch two races and make these high-powered boats take off. 5,49m long, a pole nearly as long, a maximum weight of 170kg, a 10m mast and rigging of 110m²... the weight/power ratio is impressive! The teams gathered together are as much impressive: not less than ten world champions, former and present. This sport eminently Australian, invented more than a century ago in the bay of Sydney, is traditionally dominated by ... Australians! It's with brilliance and pride that Grant Rollerson, Slam's helmsman, defends his country colours. Thrice winner out of four races during the Mark Foy Trophy, he reigns absolutely on this competition. Rob Greenhalgh, is a spoilsport, with in his wake another Australian crew. Asko, led by Dan Wilson completes the provisional podium in front of the American veteran Howie Hamlin (Macquarie). The British Andy Richards and his men, 2007 European champions on Pindar, are ranking 7th , just behind the Danish team of GP Covers, very efficient despite the light weather conditions that don't really suit to their lumberjack build. The end of the week is off to be windy... great show in prospect!
Results :
http://www.yccarnac.com/usa/regates/mark-foy-trophy/resultats-mark-foy-trophy.html