Heading for the Mediterranean Sea

Skilful sailors for a demanding race
Three M 30s already had the red Honda Civic Hybrid spinnaker of the leader in the overall ranking, many more will try and get it! Toulon Provence Méditerranée – COYCHyères (Fabien Henry) was the first one: the defender was leader in Dunkerque. But Nouvelle-Calédonie (Vincent Portugal / Ronan Dreano / Bernard Mallaret) took the lead in Dieppe and kept it until Granville – Pays Granvillais. Courrier Dunkerque (Daniel Souben) has been leading the race since Lorient. Unfortunately, as the wind blew too strong in Normandy, the boats remained stuck in Granville for a few days. They couldn’t sail two offshore legs: 105 nautical miles to Perros-Guirec Côtes d’Armor, and 180 miles to Lorient. Instead of that, they travelled on the roads through Brittany! The race committee has decided to intensify the program of the races in the Mediterranean Sea.

Courrier Dunkerque pulls ahead of the other competitors
42 points ahead of the second in the overall ranking, Courrier Dunkerque is in a comfortable position. This advance will matter during the last week of races: “we’ll have to be careful of course, but we are rather confident”, says skipper Daniel Souben.

The followers are fighting
They were among the favourites, and are only a few points apart now. Nouvelle Calédonie (Vincent Portugal / Ronan Dreano / Bernard Mallaret) ranks second, only one point before Elcimaï – Ville de Marseille (Dimitri Deruelle). Eight points behind, defender Toulon Provence Méditerranée – COYCHyères (Fabien Henry) still hopes to finish first « it’s not over » says skipper Fabien Henry.

The duel is still on by the amateurs
Leader Saint-Malo Purflo Team SNBSM (François Lebourdais) is fifth in the overall ranking. No matter that they won the last race in Royan, they will have to be careful as Val Thorens (Lucas Millieret / Alexis Littoz) is only five points behind. “The race is going to be tough till the end!” says Alexis Littoz. Although eight amateurs compete in this Tour de France Sailing Race, it is actually a duel that is going on: the third amateur Ville du Port – Région Réunion (Gabriel Jean-Albert) is eighty points away from the other two boats.

CSC – HEC – Ecole Navale still alone in the lead
Despite the excellent results of their opponents in the last races, CSC – HEC – Ecole Navale (Hervé Gautier) is still leading the student ranking. Seventh in the overall ranking, Gautier is 90 points ahead of the second, INSA – Sopra Group (Simon Troel). The race will be much tighter for the second place, as Brest Grandes Ecoles ENSIETA ESC (Loïc Le Garrec) is only 14 points behind Troel.

The Festivities Village is still 100% !
The screen allows visitors to follow the race live. They may also enjoy the attractions proposed by the Tour de France Sailing Race’s partners. This includes tasting Bordeaux wines, Aoste ham or Malongo coffee. The new Honda Civic Hybrid may also by tried, just as the Xbox 360. Local exponents present their products in every stop-city. In the evening, the rock band Les Shades gathers a numerous public for the Rock on the Beach concerts!

Today, the sailors starts the races at noon in front of Saint-Cyprien.