ProAm

Deauville Week, in France, is where amateurs do battle with professionals in a host of classes and the atmosphere is terrific. Add to that a beautiful region, some great boats and really competitive racing and you can see why this event draws people back time and time again. Xavier Le Cœur, skipper of the K 6.50 Matra Sport, summed it up “You had to stay on the pace and not let up at all. We had 4 intense days of racing with some very varied conditions, right up to the last minute, so you really had to battle for victory. We attach a great deal of value to fact that we’ve won as it took a lot of effort!”

A new event added to the racing proved to be a huge success and that was the 7 windward-leeward races and one 116 miles offshore race for Farr 30s. The 17 participating crews unanimously agreed that it was ideal training for the upcoming Tour de France à la Voile. “We can now be certain of our onboard configuration.” said Daniel Souben, skipper of Courrier Dunkerque. “The format is suited to our programme, it’s a superb idea!” added Cédric Château, helmsman on Manche Basse-Normandie. Photo Jean-Marie Liot and more here.