We caught up with Loick Peyron, general manager of the Gitana Team and Gitana 11 skipper :
Fecamp will be the last crewed meeting of the season...
“Yes, a last 2006 Grand Prix which brings a very interesting season to a close at Fecamp, a course I particularly appreciate! It's important for us, even if the Gitana team is currently quite focused on preparing the two Gitanas for the Route du Rhum. I'm going to be sailing with Thierry Duprey du Vorsent in “false-solo” mode, to help him with his training as it's his first solo ocean-going experience. Consequently, we're going to put the two trimarans in Grand Prix configuration, but only in the first days of September.”
In terms of the Championship, where does this Grand Prix fit in?
“The Championship is done and dusted, the pecking order is already established and winning points at the Grand Prix du port de Fécamp won't change anything: Franck Cammas is guaranteed the title, so much so that he doesn't even really need to come to Normandy… Against Michel Desjoyeaux, we don't have much chance of taking second place from him in the general combined ranking but it's an interesting duel and we'll be doing everything we can to overtake him at Fécamp. If we're going to do it, we'll have to do as well or even better than at Portimao!”
Are the waters at Fecamp quite specific?
“Definitely. This place really lends itself to a Grand Prix. Fécamp has always been the scene of interesting and hotly disputed races. It's full of difficulties, quite rough and there are significant tidal currents and coastal effects due to the cliffs. Rounds can take place alternately in light air, in a breeze or in medium wind… Nothing can be taken for granted in Normandy!”
Lastly, after the Grand Prix du port de Fécamp, the two boats will stop off in Guernsey, where they will take part in the LCF Rothschild Challenge. This annual meeting is organised over two days, the 12th and 13th September, by the LCF Rothschild Group. It consists of the validation of a record between the two main Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey. This record is currently held by Thierry Duprey du Vorsent on Gitana X in 55 mins and 21 secs… but for how long?
Cafe Ambassador Multi Cup Ranking before the GP du port de Fécamp
1-Franck Cammas - Groupama 2 (1st+1st+1st+1st+1st) 27.5 points
2-Michel Desjoyeaux - Géant (3rd+2nd+2nd+2nd+3rd) 19 points
3-Loick Peyron - Gitana 11 (4th+3rd+3rd+3rd+2nd) 15.5 points
4-Pascal Bidégorry - Banque Populaire IV (2nde+4th+DNC+DNC+DNC) 12 points
5-Thierry Duprey du Vorsent - Gitana 12 (5th+5th+DNC+4th+4th) 7.5 points