Figaro 3, good first: at Sardinha, youngsters checkmate old foxes

There was great anticipation for the Figaro 3 ‘s true season debut at the Sardinha Cup (Read HERE why) and expectations were not disappointed. It was a tough 400+ mile stage from the start, with consistently muscular conditions, a stage with a positive balance for the fleet and with not a few surprises: retirements were 7 of 34 enrolled, including the distinguished names of Loick Peyron and Mike Golding, an acceptable percentage considering that this is the boat’s absolute debut and many crews have had only a few weeks of training available.

The first news is the 19th place of Alberto Bona paired with Ian Lipinski, which is, however, second among the rookies, who in the Figaro have always also had a separate ranking, behind the Conrad Colman/Sebastien Marsset pair.

A good debut that of Sebago, who although he failed to stick to the leading group in the long windward leg to the Glenans was always in the fray, keeping behind some important names in the French course au large of recent seasons.

The stage was won by the Pierre Leboucher-Erwan Tabarly pair on Guyot Environnement, followed by Martin Le Pape-Thierry Chabagny, thirdLoïs Berrehar-Thomas Rouxel, all packed within just 4 minutes. Those who expected a domination of the old foxes had to think again quickly. The best of the old guard was Yann Elies who finished fourth, Jérémie beyou even 16th, we told about Peyron above, while better went Charles Caudrelier (skipper of Dongfeng winner of the Volvo Ocean Race) who finished seventh. An interesting detail about the winners should be pointed out: Pierre Leboucher is not only an avid offshore sailor, but his training comes through pure foils; in fact, he has been racing for several seasons in the Waszp class, of which he is European vice-champion, and behind him is a long career in 470 at a high level with a participation in the Olympic Games. In short, it really seems that the old foxes in this first season in Figaro 3 will have a lot of work to do to keep the new generation at bay, and this in principle is something that does the whole movement a lot of good.

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