At the start of the day, Gitana 11 was a mere two points behind Groupama-2 and Gitana 12 had a 3-point lead over Geant. So there was everything still to play for, that is, until the weather intervened! For it has become apparent that Gitana 11 is a lot more at home in heavy weather, where Franck Cammas's domination is a lot less glaring. But with the very light breeze that prevailed over the course today, Loick Peyron, who nonetheless made an excellent start and pulled off a fine tactical coup on the first round of the day, could only stand back and admire as the official 2006 Multi Cup champions strutted his stuff! Groupama-2 was denied victory only on the day's second round, which saw Geant cross the line in front… It amounted to a fine way to sign off for Michel Desjoyeaux, who was making his last multihull run today!
This win also enabled Michel Desjoyeaux to pip Gitana 12 to third place in the general ranking. Thierry Duprey du Vorsent's crew consequently finish fourth, but the gap between them and Geant could not be more marginal.
Loick Peyron, skipper of Gitana 11:
“It's been a really interesting Grand Prix with highly varied conditions. The pecking order has remained intact, with Groupama-2 extremely comfortable and difficult to combat but we have also shown that she's not unbeatable! This season has been really hectic and exciting for me and all the team. The crews have shown real motivation. I have to say that we're really lucky to have the chance to sail on these incredible vessels and we owe that to the owner Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, who I would once again like to thank for that and for all the energy he injects! Where Gitana 12's concerned, she may be a touch off the pace still, but progress is being made and they should never lose heart! That's what we asked of them for their first season!”
Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, skipper of Gitana 12:
“I'm a bit disappointed as I'd really been hopeful of finishing 3rd! But I'm satisfied in spite of all that as the results for the season as a whole show we've come a long way. We lack a bit of consistency but where the crew's concerned, the right reflexes are beginning to develop. Gitana 12 is a very good boat and, little by little, we've been learning how best to handle her.”
Provisional general ranking over the seven rounds of the Grand Prix du Port de Fecamp :
1- Franck Cammas (Groupama-2) 1st+2nd+DNF+1st+1st+1st+2nd = 35 points
2- Loick Peyron (Gitana 11) DSQ+1st+1st+2nd+2nd+2nd+3rd = 31 points
3- Michel Desjoyeaux (Geant) DSQ+3rd+2nd+3rd+4th+3rd+1st = 26 points
4- Thierry Duprey du Vorsent (Gitana 12) 2nd+4th+3rd+4th+3rd+4th+4th = 25 points
Final ranking of the Multi Cup Cafe Ambassador 2006
After the race course Londres-Alpes Maritimes (coefficient 2), the Trophée du Conseil Général des Alpes Maritimes (coefficient 0,5), the Trapani Grand Prix (coefficient 1), the Grand Prix de Marseille (coefficient 1), the Grand Prix du Portugal-Portimao (coefficient 1) and the Grand Prix du port de Fécamp (coefficient 1) :
1-Groupama 2 (1er+1er+1er+1er+1er+1er) 32,5 points
2-Géant (3ème+2ème+2ème+2ème+3ème+3ème) 22 points
3-Gitana 11 (4ème+3ème+3ème+3ème+2ème+2ème) 19,5 points
4-Banque Populaire IV (2ème+4ème+DNC+DNC+DNC+DNC) 13 points
5-Gitana 12 (5ème+5ème+DNC+4ème+4ème+4ème) 9,5 points
2006 Gitana 11 crew :
Loïck Peyron, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, Frédéric Le Peutrec, Yann Guichard, Lionel Lemonchois, Jean-Baptiste Le Vaillant, Frédéric Guilmin, Jean-Baptiste Epron, Daniel Souben, Ronan Le Goff, François Denis, Christophe Lassègue, Antoine Mermod, Alexandre Quiblier, Cyril Dardashti, William Fabulet.
2006 Gitana 12 crew :
Thierry Duprey du Vorsent, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, Erwan Le Roux, Mayeul Riffet, Nicolas Raynaud, Mathieu Tatibouët, Arnaud Derrendinger, Léopold Lucet, Antoine Carpentier, Alexandre Marmorat , Fabrice Blondel, Yann Le Govic, Pierre Pennec, Pierre Boursier, Richard Loncle.