On Sunday 16 November 2008, the second Catamaran raid took place with a single leg. Organized by the Club Nautique Windforce at Pointe Fort au Robert, the race took place in 25 knots of wind.
With the arrival of the Jean-Louis Andre Regatta (Hobie Tiger, skippered by Andre, crewmember Thierry Berne) in the Catamaran F18 category, we spoke to the crew: “With 25 knots of wind, we had to do some ‘there and backs’ in the Baie du Robert. The original course was supposed to pass by the Baie de Spoutourne but was modified because the wind and sea were strong. We were taken by surprise by the change and arrived late at the start line.
“Immediately, the two first competitors were racing away. One of our competitors had rudder problems and was forced to stop momentarily. We passed in third place and kept it until the channel marker signaling the windward turn. After a lusty gybe in some serious swell, we threw up the spinnaker to head toward the second buoy. In stowing the spinnaker, we destroyed our race. The spinnaker sheet became tangled in the boom and we lost our advantage.
“My crewmate became a floating anchor in front of the boom. At this moment, we were no longer in the race, but became privileged spectators. We watched, powerless the victory of Anthony Horst and Alick Arsenne on the Nacra F18 ahead of Patrice Ivaldi on the Nacra Infusion. Third was Bertrand Libar on a Nacra F18.
For more information, contact the Club Nautique Windforce at Robert on 0596 65 59 70 or email windforce@aol.fr
Next Races in Martinique
- 21 to 23 February 2009: Carnival Regatta for cruisers
- 21 to 24 February 2009: Schoelcher Sailing Week.
- 14/15 March: Bananas Cup for cruisers.
