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Transat 650

Bertrand Delesne wins leg 1 in Funchal

Fracisco Lobato, 2nd, takes 1st in serie division

samedi 19 septembre 2009 – Information Transat 650

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Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre durablement) won at mid afternoon the first stage of The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 for the categoty prototype, completing the 1148 miles that separate the Charente-Maritime of Funchal - Madeira Islands - in 6 days, 21 minutes and 21 seconds. The young naval architect form La Rochelle Henry Paul Schipman (Maisons de l’avenir Urbatys) arrived two hours later, and was the author of a remarkable run on a prototype designed by himself (for the firm Lombard). The one that caused a great sensation in this first stage is undoubtedly the young (24 years ago) Portuguese Francisco Lobato (ROFF TMN), which glamoured Lusitania media by wining the stage in the series category. He relegated his nearest rival, the native of Harfleur Charlie Dalin (cherche sponsor - charliedalin.com) 75 miles behind, and if we consider conditions of low-wind prevailing on the islands, it is a strong hours capital therefore never seen in this category.


The race time record set here two years ago by the sailor Isabelle Joschke, that was about to be defeated for a long time after this great downwind in the Portuguese trade winds, is still the property of the Franco-German. The last 36 hours of racing in the heart of the anticyclone pushed and still pushes the solos sailors dig in their physical and mental resources. Bertrand Delesne, surprisingly relaxed and lucid, already thinks of this stage as a (good) souvenir, and prepares himself for the next 3 100 miles to Salvador de Bahia.

"What a great race !" "I was delighted," What an amazing boats !"... Bertrand DELESNE, HP Schipman and Francisco Lobato, the comments of the first sailors to reach Funchal testify of the intensity of the race as well as of the pleasure they had at sea on this fabulous machines when they were playing with the elements. First lessons, not least to identify among all the statements made with the nicest smiles, Francisco Lobato his fast, he sails perfectly, and he has an unusual sense of trajectory. Qualities that should make him next year, a dreaded "freshman" in the Figaro Class. Another reflection of the heroes of the day, the prototypes can go much faster... but for shorter times than the Portuguese’s Pogo 2 ; "Our prototypes literally fly in the breeze" Delesne says. "Keeping in thirty knots of wind the code 5 (small breeze gennaker, Ed), more than two hours would be impossible," says the winner of the day. "I made the descent along the Iberian peninsula with two reefs and solent" HP Schipman does not hide his joy and outbid on the same subject. "I spent the first 4 days in the the cabin, under pilot, with three reefs in the mainsail to Cape Finisterre !" Yet the fantastic protos flew in acceleration to 20 knots and more, "21 knots followed by a jump over a wave" says Delesne. "As a result, I sailed continuously to 60% of its potential, I got scared."

Time and distance gaps in series : Behind Thomas Ruyant (Faber France), that arrived less than three hours after Delesne, were are still waiting in the evening for Stéphane Diraison (Cultisol Marins Sans Frontières) and Fabien Després (Soitec). Thus, the larger gaps will extend the wait. The podium in series is not yet completed and between Charlie Dalin (cherche sponsor-charliedalin.com), Ricardo Apolloni (Ma Vie pour Mapei), Xavier Macaire (Masoco Bay), who will be 2nd and 3rd ? These three men have t70 miles of becalmed weather to find out... So the gap widened by Lobato may be significant.

Ordre d’arrivée à Funchal

– 1 754 DELESNE Bertrand ENTREPRENDRE DURABLEMENT 6j0h21’21’’
– 2 607 LOBATO Francisco ROFF TMN 6j2h31’3’’ (1er série)
– 3 716 SCHIPMAN Henri Paul MAISON DE L’AVENIR URBATYS 6j2h40’13’’
– 4 667 RUYANT Thomas Faber France 6j3h21’56’’

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