The suspense in the general ranking for the top three lasted right up to the end of the Grand Prix. Karine Fauconnier and her crew had to battle hard to take victory in this final day of racing. Groupama II and Gitana 11, finish this evening just two points from Sergio Tacchini who are doubtless relieved not to have to relive the stinging experience of the Grand Prix de La Trinité sur Mer at the start of the season, where victory was snatched from them in the last race by Groupama I.
The battle for second and third place in the general ranking was extremely tight ultimately. On even points with Gitana 11 at the end of the 7th and final race of this Grand Prix, Franck Cammas on his new trimaran has the advantage, according to the race rules of the circuit, thanks to its three race victories. As a result Groupama pockets « the Silver » leaving « the Bronze » to Gitana 11.
It was doubtless this morning that Fred Le Peutrec and his crew let second place on the podium slip away from them with a 5th place in the first of the three races today. « Despite a very good start, we never managed to find the right trim in the race », stated a regretful crew who pulled off 3rd and 2nd place in the following races; a sign that it was simply a temporary hitch.
« This 3rd place demonstrates that all the work the Gitana Team have carried out since the start of the season has been worthwhile, highlights the skipper of Gitana 11. The arrival of Yann Guichard in the tactics, a better understanding of the boat after two transats, a series of several training sessions and deliveries, the growing cohesion of the crew, our new mainsail with a big roach and a team of very honed and motivated shore crew are all factors that help our progression in the Orma Championship ranking 2004. There are still two events in the Mediterranean, the Grand Prix of Corsica and the Grand Prix de Marseille so it's up to us to continue to progress in the rankings. The result in the Grand Prix de Fécamp is very encouraging for us all. »
Sunday's races:
Results of the 5th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp
1 - Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
2 - Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
3 - Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
4 - Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
5 - Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
6 - Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
7 - Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
8 - Alain Gautier (Foncia)
9 -Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
10 - Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNC - Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)
Results of the 6th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp
1 - Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
2 - Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
3 - Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
4 - Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
5 - Alain Gautier (Foncia)
6 - Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
7 - Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
8 - Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
9 - Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
10 - Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNC - Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)
Results of the 7th race in the Grand Prix de Fécamp
1 - Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant)
2 - Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11)
3 - Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini)
4 - Franck Cammas (Groupama II)
5 - Alain Gautier (Foncia)
6 - Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group)
7 - Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi)
8 - Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire)
9 - Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine)
DNS - Thomas Coville (Sodebo)
DNC - Marc Guillemot (Gitana X)
General Ranking after 7 races
1 - Karine Fauconnier (Sergio Tacchini) : 1 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 4 +3 = 16 points
2 - Franck Cammas (Groupama II) : 3 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 18 points
3 - Fred Le Peutrec (Gitana 11) : 2 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 5 + 3 + 2 = 18 points
4 - Michel Desjoyeaux (Géant) : 7 + 6 + 5 + 8 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 32 points
5 - Alain Gautier ( Foncia) : 4 + 7 + 4 + 5 + 8 + 5 + 5 = 38 points
6 - Lalou Roucayrol (Banque Populaire) : 5 + 2 + 12 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 43 points
7 - Stève Ravusssin (Banque Covefi) : 6 + 4 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 8 + 7 = 46 points
8 - Thomas Coville (Sodebo) : 8 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 6 + 7 + 12 = 51 points
9 - Philippe Monnet (Sopra Group) : 9 + 9 + 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 + 6 = 59 points
10 - Yves Parlier (Mediatis-Région Aquitaine) : 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 10 + 10 + 9 = 77 points
11 - Marc Guillemot (Gitana X) : 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 + 12 = 84 points