Transat 650
Sébastien Rogues wins leg 1 in Funchal 28 minutes ahead of David Raison
"Nous nous sommes tirés une belle bourre avec David et Jorg"
Tuesday 4 October 2011 –
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Sébastien Rogues (716 – Eole Generation-GDF SUEZ):
« It is my greatest victory. Because it’s the hardest race I’ve ever done. The more you suffer; the more it’s valuable to win. Especially because I believe I raced brilliantly. I have always been at the forefront of the fleet. But suddenly, off Portugal, when there were 40 knots of wind I wondered what I was doing there. What was going to break first, the mast? The hull? And at that moment the race is not your priority, you think about yourself first. We had a very combative but quite friendly race with David and Jorg. This morning, I wondered where David had gone. I did not dare to ask by the VHF and he is the one that told me "Is that you ahead of me?” What a great moment! The boat is fine. I can leave right now; I just have a few ropes to change. »
28 minutes and 25 seconds after Sébastien Rogues, David Raison on TeamWork Evolution finished this stage between La Rochelle and Funchal in 8 days 21 hours 55 minutes ans 08 seconds at the average speed Speed #speedsailing of 5,38 knots.
David Raison (TeamWork Evolution):
"I got scared this morning because I had blocked the main sail up the mast. I thought I was going to crash the boat on the rocks. I, also, have broken one batten. But, really, after the last 24 hours 24 hours 24 hours best distance covered records I was tired. And everything I have been doing was stupid. But my "Magnum" (ed., the name of the boat) is remarkable. I could not use her full potential. Because I, the man, was not able to follow. But she is made to win."
Jorg Riechers on Mare.de finished third in 8 days 22 hours 19 minutes and 07 seconds. He covered the 1148 miles at an average speed Speed #speedsailing of 5.36 knots.
"When, before the departure from La Rochelle, Bertrand Delesne collided with me, I was furious. I would have killed him if I had him close enough. I remembered that I was forced to withdraw in 2009. I did not want it to happen again. During two seconds max, I thought about giving up. But I changed my mind. I laminated from the inside all night and by day I did the outside. After that experience, I’m happy with my race. I sail against great champions and I’m third. It’s great. Nothing is definitive yet; there is still the second stage. I got a scared like David in the end. I have touched the mole, but nothing serious. We will fix it."
Ordre d’arrivée à Madère
1. Seb Rogues en 8 jours 20 heures 46 minutes et 43 secondes
2. David Raison en 8 jours 21 heures 55 minutes et 08 secondes
3. Jorg Riechers en 8 days 22 hours 19 minutes and 07 seconds
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Transat 650 : Solo American Skipper Emma Creighton Takes On the 2011 Mini Transat
Transat 650 : Ruyant, Delesne and Schipman on the prototypes podium
Transat 650 • Leg 2 : Bertrand Delesne leader to Cap Verde