MINI PAVOIS 2010 (English)

Prototypes overall ranking after jury

2010-05-17T11:55:00.003+02:00

1 - 753 - RIECHERS Jorg - MARE.DE - 3j 1h 58m 10s
2 - 787 - NORMAND Thomas - FINANCIERE DE L ECHIQUIER     - 3j 1h 59m 19s
3 - 679 - DAVID Etienne - TEAMWORK - 3j 2h 12m 10s
4 - 719 - BOIDEVEZI Nicolas - DEFI G.D.E. - 3j 4h 48m 14s
5 - 618 - MONTAGNE Lucas - ONG CONSEIL - 3j 6h 36m 57s
6 - 265 - MARETTE Paul - REGION NORD PAS DE CALAIS - 3j 6h 46m 54s
7 - 509 - SCHRODER Lucas - BANZAI - 3j 7h 29m 20s
8 - 252 - FINN Ryan - MYRNA MINKOFF - 3j 11h 23m 19s
9 - 759 - KOLACEK Milan - FOLLOW ME - 3j 13h 30m 26s
10 - 36 - DENJEAN Pierre - OUFTI - 3j 13h 46m 8s
11 - 551 - PATOU Henri - ECARTIP - 3j 14h 52m 44s

Series boats overall ranking after jury.

2010-05-17T11:54:00.003+02:00

1 - 472 - MACAIRE Xavier - STARTER - 4j 16h 40m 18s
2 - 697 - FRANCOIS Amaury - www.amauryfrançois.com - 4j 20h 14m 41s
3 - 602 - ROSEN JACOBSON Robert - NED602 - 4j 20h 23m 16s
4 - 774 - OGER Jean-Marie - JMO SAILING - 4j 22h 38m 6s
5 - 480 - COLMAN Conrad - COLMAN COURSE AU LARGE - 5j 0h 38m 9s
6 - 473 - GERCKENS Jonas - PragmaWork - 5j 0h 38m 54s
7 - 757 - ARCHIN Brendan - ASSOCIATION LA TOULINE - 5j 2h 24m 12s
8 - 483 - LE PAUTREMAT Yann As de Cœur - Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque - 5j 3h 38m 49s
9 - 464 - ALLAIRE Jean-Marc - BAKER TILLY - AG2R LA MONDIALE     5j 3h 41m 12s
10 - 746 - CIZEAU Pierre - COLIBRI - 5j 4h 22m 14s
11 - 733 - VERTES Marc - LES AMIS DE LA TERRE KOKOPELLI - 5j 10h 44m 22s
12 - 518 - DENIS François - PASSION D'AVRIL - 5j 22h 9m 50s
13 - 488 - ORTI Nacho - NATCHO ORTI BUSCA SPONSOR - 5j 17h 34m
14 - 587 - ABEL Andy - PEPEN - 6j 1h 42m 31s
15 - 452 - REYNIS Benoit - AL DENTE - 6j 10h 25m 39s
16 - 708 - ROBIN Fabienne - PLUME D'ANGE - 6j 11h 3m 15s
17 – 230 - BERTRAND Serge – MINIMUM - 6j 13h 1m 52s

Entire fleet at La Rochelle.

2010-05-15T09:55:00.006+02:00

Here it is, all the participants of the Mini Pavois 2010 have joined La Rochelle. Congratulations to them all!

2010-05-15T00:30:00.002+02:00

It seems that photobucket is reaching saturation point as for images transfer on the blog. You can see the pictures here!

Nacho Orti has arrived safe and sound

2010-05-14T16:29:00.002+02:00

Nacho Orti (488 - NATCHO ORTI BUSCA SPONSOR) has arrived to La Rochelle and could attend the awards ceremony.

Marc Vertes is in La Rochelle

2010-05-14T11:36:00.000+02:00

Marc Vertes has... finally...reached La Rochelle. Why "finally"? Because he was "glued" in Antioche sluice for the all night... Harsh!

Awards ceremony partners.

2010-05-14T10:26:00.000+02:00

Despite, the postponment of the start in Gijon, the awards ceremony will be set ,as agreed, at 3 pm today Friday the 14th of May (Société des Régates Rochelaises). And when there is a prize ceremony, there are partners. Thta is why, GPO wants to say thank you this Mini Pavois 2010 ceremony's partners, that are: Pochon SA, Voiles & Voiliers, Karver, Big Ship and Lyophilisé.fr that offered products before the start.

Series in-crowd...

2010-05-14T09:47:00.004+02:00

Night brought its share of arrivals as expected... The series boat that arrived last night are: Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly - AG2R La mondiale) and Conrad Colman (480 - Colman Course au large), Jean-Marie Oger (774 - JMO Sailing), Pierre Cizeau (746 - Colibri), Brendan Archin (757 - Association La Touline), Jonas Gerckens (473 - PragmaWork), Yann Le Pautremat (483 - As de Coeur - Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque).
Three protos also reached La Rochelle last night: Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow me), Pierre Denjean (36 - Oufti) et Henri Patou (551 - Ecartip).

Series podium before jury.

2010-05-13T23:39:00.001+02:00

Xavier Macaire (472 - Starter) is the winner of this Mini Pavois with two victories. (leg 1 and 2).
The second series boat is Amaury François' www.amauryfrancois.com (697) followed by Robert Rosen Jacobson on the 602, Ned602.

Second leg's series boats podium...

2010-05-13T23:35:00.001+02:00

Xavier Macaire (472 - Starter) folowed by Robert Rosen Jacobson (602 - Ned602) and Amaury François (697 - www.francoisamaury.com).

Amaury François is the third to reach La Rochelle as for series boats

2010-05-13T23:27:00.002+02:00

Amaury François (697 - www.amauryfrancois.com), that was 2nd in Gijon, just finished third in the second leg as for series boats, after Robert Rosen Jacobson.

He should remain second at the overall.

Ryan Finn (252 - Myrna Minkoff) is back to La Rochelle.

2010-05-13T23:00:00.002+02:00

Ryan Finn (252 - Myrna Minkoff) has arrived in La Rochelle on his 1999 prototype Finot.

Robert Rosen Jacobson, 2nd Series boat in La Rochelle

2010-05-13T22:59:00.001+02:00

Robert Rosen Jacobson (602 - Ned602) has crossed the second leg's finish line.

Xavier Macaire first series boat to cross the finish line of the second leg.

2010-05-13T21:06:00.001+02:00

Xavier Macaire (472 - Starter) is the winner of the second leg of the Mini Pavois 2010 between Gijon and La Rochelle for the Series category.

Like Jorg Riechers for prototypes, Xavier scored twice.

Race time for the second leg: 3 days 9 hours 26 minutes and 5 seconds at an average speed of 5.71 knots.

Lucas Schroder crossed the finish line.

2010-05-13T19:01:00.001+02:00

Lucas Schroder (509 - Banzai) is back in La Rochelle.

Paul Marette 6th in La Rochelle: prototypes class.

2010-05-13T18:47:00.000+02:00

Paul Marette (265 - région Nord Pas de Calais) has arrived in La Rochelle.

Lucas Montagne, fifth proto in La Rochelle.

2010-05-13T18:03:00.001+02:00

Lucas Montagne (618 - Ong Conseil) just finished this second leg between Gijon and La Rochelle.

Xavier Macaire, 1st series boat, is expected in the evening.

2010-05-13T18:00:00.000+02:00

Xavier (472 - Starter) is 20 nautical miles from the finish line and should cross the finish line at 8.30 pm

Withdrawal of Benoît Laurière (539 - Kalonig 2)

2010-05-13T17:39:00.000+02:00

Benoît Laurière (539 - Kalonig 2) withdraws for technical problems and moored his boat in Lorient.

2010-05-13T17:16:00.001+02:00

Nicolas Boidevezi (719 - Défi G.D.E), fourth of the leg and third at the overall for prototypes (before jury): "I am dead... I had to tack like I never did before, I was exhausted. It was cold. It was 8 degrees (ed, Celsius) on the first part... this leg was gruelling! Incredible, how far the lead was from me... Luckily I am back. After Birvideaux, I used my genaker and I overpassed those who were behind, while we were passing the lighthouse as in a match race. I could have asked for water on the way! I'm tired and I dont' have dry clothes anymore.... "

Nicolas Boidevezi keeps his third rank at the overall (before jury).

2010-05-13T16:58:00.000+02:00

Nicolas Boidevezi (719 - Défi G.D.E) is still 3rd at the overall for prototypes before jury.
His race time for the whole Mini Pavois 2010 is 4 days 9 hours 26 minutes and 17 seconds. Etienne David, meanwhile, completed the 800 nautical miles in 4 days 9 hours 47 minutes and 27 seconds.

Nicolas Boidevezi time of race for the second leg: 3 days 4 hours 48 minutes and 14 seconds at an average speed of 6.04 knots. He arrived 2h50 after the first and 2h36 after the third.

2010-05-13T16:34:00.000+02:00

Etienne David (679 – Team Work): "I am very happy because I have good ranking and it was not fun. It was pretty difficult... The mini with this wind, I discovered it. It was wet and super cold. It was a good leg and it stimulated me to be always in contact with Jorg and Thomas. I did not give up! I do not know what sail to choose sometimes and when I think I'm fine, I see the other go even faster... It's crazy! I must get used to it and I need to learn to dare. But when I see the potential I have with that boat and that I can fight with the good ones, it's encouraging! For a first try, I am very happy .... "

Thomas Normand, 2nd proto of the second leg and 2nd of the Mini Pavois

2010-05-13T15:07:00.002+02:00

Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'Échiqiuer): "My feeling about that race is that I feel super comfortable on this boat. She is brand new and I feel good .. She and I were shoved near the Gironde and it was not easy to handle... But I did my best to properly manage my efforts and I am glad. I managed to pull out all the stops when it was necessary, I am satisfied. The first night has been quite complicated to go, with two fronts. This was very tactical... And the second half of the race when we thought it would be simple, there were moves to try especially around Belle-Ile. That's where, I think, we dug the gap with the others. For me, we had done three quarters of the race at the mark but not at all! I accomplished what I came for, I wanted to do my best on this Mini Pavois and suddenly I'm so happy. Especially with a brand new boat ... Good start for the season!"

Jorg Riechers, 1st proto of the second leg and Mini Pavois' winner.

2010-05-13T14:53:00.001+02:00

Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de): "I was at the mark with a good lead on Thomas (ed., Normand) but the wind fell and Thomas came back to the contact. It was extremely difficult from the beginning to the end... It was very physical because it was quite windy and I did not have much time to rest. I'm very happy that I have won both races. being second of the Select 6.50 and first of the Mini Pavois is great. If it continues like this, it's cool ... "

Etienne David ranked 3 for the second leg.

2010-05-13T14:23:00.002+02:00

Etienne David (679 - Team Work) crossed the second leg's finish line at 13h 32 m 10sec. He is, thus, third in the prototypes class.
He completed the 465 nautical miles of this leg in 3 days 2 hours 12 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 6.27 knots. he arrived 14 minutes after Jorg Riechers.

Jorg Riechers and Thomas Normand crossed the second leg's finish line.

2010-05-13T13:46:00.001+02:00

Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de) and Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'Échiquier) crossed the finish line of the second leg of the 2010 Mini Pavois between Gijon and La Rochelle, respectively at 13h 18min 10sec and 13h 19min 19sec.

A neck-to-neck final sprint, Thomas arriving only 1 minute and 9 seconds after Jorg Riechers.

Congratulations to Jorg Riechers, who won the first leg already! He completed the 465 nautical miles between Gijon and La Rochelle in 3 days 1 hour 58 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 6.29 knots.

As for Thomas, he does a great start in the mini circuit. Third in the first leg, he completed the second half of the race in 3 days 1 hour 59 minutes and 19 seconds at an average speed of 6.28 knots.

Jorg Riechers and Thomas Normand neck-to-neck.

2010-05-13T12:54:00.001+02:00

3 protos in view: Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de) and Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'Échiquier) are sailing neck-to-neck.
A little further is Etienne David (679 - Team Work).

Slowdown...

2010-05-13T11:27:00.000+02:00

Slowdown in the lead...Light northeast wind with opposite current. New ETA: 1.00 pm for the firsts. Note that Thomas Normand and Etienne David were more rapid than Jorg Riechers at the last score. Will Jorg keep the lead? Bets are open. On his side, Nicolas Boidevezi just passed the mark.

Meteo Consul: Southwest in the end of the night

2010-05-13T11:09:00.001+02:00

Thursday the 13th of May
Northeast wind force 3-4, variable from 1 to 3 near Belle-Île. In the afternoon, turning northwest wind force 3-4. The wind turns north (in the south of Belle-Île) before reinforcing. Coastal trade winds are increasing. Slight to moderate sea. Mostly cloudy weather. Very few showers. In the night, the wind falls. Southwest wind in the end of the night.

Friday the 14th of May
West wind force 2-3 reinforcing southwest force 3-4. In the end of the night, northwest wind force 2-3. Unclouded sky becoming cloudy. Showers on the evening.

New ETA on the line...

2010-05-13T10:24:00.002+02:00

New ETA for Jorg Riechers that should reach the line at 11.30 am.

Express sail down...

2010-05-13T10:00:00.001+02:00

The lighthouse of Birvideaux has offered a long downwind sail down... And if there were zones with no wind, the protos have rapidly sail to the mark that they should reach soon. Jorg Riechers took the lead, followed by Thomas Normand and Etienne David. Among series boats, Xavier Macaire has gleaned some miles from Robert Rosen Jacobson... Xavier is leading and he will be for sure the first to reach the mark. The first protos are expected to be at the Minimes buoy at around 10.00 am / 10.30 am, finish line of this Mini Pavois. Cross fingers for Jorg Riechers and Xavier Macaire. It seems that it is their Mini Pavois.

In the night in the Birvideaux.

2010-05-12T17:57:00.001+02:00

Etienne David is keeping the lead to Birvideaux. First to the mark, he keeps up the pace and slips to the lighthouse between Belle-Ile and Ile de Croix. He is followed by Jorg Riechers and Thomas Normand who are 8 nm behind. Note that Nicolas Boidevezi is 26 nautical miles behind, the sailor can forget the benefits of his excellent second rank in Gijon...

Among Series, Robert Rosen Jacobson is still ahead even if Xavier Macaire is getting closer and closer... Robert offered us a beautiful performance on water ahead of Conrad Colman that slipped just before Xavier. The all three are almost in contact, nothing is done for the moment. Do not forget Jean-Marc Allaire and Amaury Francois that are fourth and fifth, 7 nm from the leader.

Météo Consult weather forecast.

2010-05-12T17:26:00.004+02:00

Wednesday the 12th of May
Gusty northeast wind in the morning, turning progressively north-northeast. North wind force 3 in the afternoon. At the mark, difficult passage with a very variable wind to force 2 – 3 in the evening and in the middle of the night, strengthening north-northeast to force 4, locally to force 5 in the second half of the night. Calm to slight sea, locally moderate in the night. Very variable weather. Good visibility.

Thursday the 13th of May
North-northeast winds force 4 weakening force 3 in the morning. In the afternoon high risk of wind's fluctuation in a northwest area sometimes declining to force 2, before strengthening to force 3-4 close to the finish line. No wind in the night.

Friday the 14th of May
The wind rises in the southwest force 3, before strengthening to the west-southwest to force 4. Calm sea.

Benoit Reynis in La Rochelle

2010-05-12T16:26:00.000+02:00

Benoit Reynis (452 - Al Dente) has arrived in La Rochelle because of autopilot problems. He wants to repair and set sails as soon as possible. To be continued...

Withdrawals

2010-05-12T15:57:00.000+02:00

Loic Le Bras (579 - Cachaca) and Henrik Masekowitz (625 - Caribou) arrived in la Rochelle. Loïc retires for energy problems and Henrik Masekowitz (625 - Caribou) withdraws for keel, water seepage and energy problems.

Masekowitz on the way back to La Rochelle.

2010-05-12T12:07:00.000+02:00

Henrik Masekowitz (625 - Caribou) is returning to La Rochelle. Loïc Le Bras will reach La Rochelle in few hours.

Second part...

2010-05-12T09:52:00.000+02:00

Escort boats contacts, the second part, Loïc Le Bras (579 - Cachaca) has energy problems and heads to La Rochelle. Jonas Gerckens (473 - PragmaWork) has pilot problems too. Note that the 446, Emmanuel Renaud on Koati has tacked and is back in the right course.

News from the sea...

2010-05-12T09:39:00.000+02:00

News from the escort boats: Tolga Pamir (737 - Yakamoz) announced that he was heading to La Rochelle after the mark because of water seepage in the boat by the keel. Alban Astier (785 - Seanergy) said that he had pilot matters but does not withdraw by now. The N° 452, Benoit Reynis on Al Dente has pilot problems too and heads to La Rochelle.

Robert Rosen Jacobson, first series boat

2010-05-12T09:19:00.001+02:00

Among series boats, hats off to Robert Rosen Jacobson (602 - Ned602), that after a nice 3rd rank in Gijon, was first to the mark. He is followed by Conrad Colman (480 - Colman Course au Large) and Xavier Macaire (472 - Starter) .

Swiss sailor, 1st at the mark Eaux saines

2010-05-12T09:08:00.001+02:00

Etienne David (679 - Team Work) was the first at the mark Eaux Saines around 4 am. Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de) and Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'échiquier) were 2nd and 3rd at the mark. The sailing to Birvideaux starts in a Northeast flow.

Meteo Consult weather forecast

2010-05-11T17:54:00.005+02:00

Tuesday the 11th of May
The fleet took advantage of favourable northwest wind to progress. Their speed is 6 to 8 knots. The speed weakens on Tuesday in their ascent when beating near Antioch. They will pass the mark in the second half of the night.
Conditions:
Northwest wind force 3-4 turning north-northeast in the evening force 4. Gusts force 5. Moderate to locally slight sea. Northwest waves of nearly 1m. Increasingly unstable weather with more and more showers from the afternoon. Good visibility.

Wednesday the 12th of May
The fleet progress towards Birvideaux on the fringe of the low-pressure system centred from southwest to northeast France. Boats are progressing in a moderate northeast wind weakening in the north, at the approach of mark in the evening and night.
Conditions:
Northeast wind force 4 with gusts force 5 in the morning, gradually weakening to force three in the afternoon and turning north. Once the mark is passed, conditions rapid down winding to La Rochelle with northeast wind force 4 in the second half of the night. Moderate to locally slight sea. Northwest waves around 50 cm.
Predominant bright intervals. Good visibility.

Thursday the 13th of May
Low pressure system should move rapidly eastward along with the rise of a ridge of high pressure in the west of Brittany in the morning and in the north of Biscay in the afternoon before collapsing in the evening La Rochelle.
This evolution gives north light wind, moderate in the northwest, until the arrival of La Rochelle. Moderate to locally slight sea in the evening.

Meteo Consult weather forecast:

2010-05-10T12:50:00.003+02:00

Monday the 10th of May
Light and variable wind angling northwest force 3 in the evening. 1,5 to 2 m northwest waves. Very cloudy and rainy weather. Sometimes very bad visibility with banks of fog, the situation gets much better after the wing angles northwest.

Tuesday the 11th of May
West wind force 3 to 4. 1 to 1.50 meters northwest swell. Predominant bright intervals. Good visibility. There be should a clear improvement of the forecast.

Wednesday the 12th of May
NNE wind force 4, force 5 gusts. Slight to moderate sea. Predominant bright intervals. Good visibility.

Next trends
Moderate north streams.

Course memo

2010-05-10T12:49:00.003+02:00

Ile d'Yeu to leave portside, the South Cardinal buoy named Sablaire to leave starboard (46°43,7 - 02°19,4W), Belle Isle to be left portside, the lighthouse of Birvideaux to circumvent and leave starboard (47°29.2N - 03°17.4W), Belle Ile to leave starboard, mark buoy to leave portside, the lighthouse of Chanchardon to leave portside, the tower of Antioch to leave starboard, finish line between the buoy at the Minimes to leave portside and a tetrahedral orange buoy to leave starboard. That will meddle offshore and coastal course with all the difficulties that it brings: night sailing, fishermen fleets, coastal effects, currents, and tidal phenomenon... The firsts are expected Thursday in the late afternoon in the Port Minimes.

Good start at 11:20…

2010-05-10T12:48:00.005+02:00

The fleet has set sails at 11:20 this morning and headed towards La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime) for 465 nm. The wind was 5 / 6 knots east sector (90 °). A windward mark was moored 1.3 miles off Cabo de San Lorenzo in front the Island of Tortuga and Nicolas Boidevezi (719 – Défi G.D.E) took the lead for protos ahead of Paul Marette (265 - Région Nord Pas de Calais) and Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow me). Among series boats, it’s Amaury François (697 - www.amauryfrancois.com) that was first to head North for his second crossing of the Bay of Biscay ahead Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly - AG2R La Mondiale) and Pierre Cizeau (746 - Colibri).

The five first Series boats at the mark.

2010-05-10T12:08:00.004+02:00

1 - Amaury François (697 - www.amauryfrancois.com),

2 - Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly - AG2R La Mondiale),

3 - Pierre Cizeau (746 - Colibri),

4 - Yann Le Pautremat (483 - As de cœur - Mécénat chirurgie cardiaque),

5 - Brendan Archin (757 - Association La Touline).

Five first prototypes that reached the mark.

2010-05-10T12:07:00.002+02:00

1 - Nicolas Boidevezi (719 - Défi G.D.E),

2 - Paul Marette (265 - Région Nord Pas de Calais),

3 - Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow me),

4 - Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'Échiquier),

5 - Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de).

Start of the second leg.

2010-05-10T11:37:00.000+02:00

The race's second leg between Gijon and La Rochelle has started! Wind sector East 90° at 6 knots.

Atmosphere before the start.

2010-05-10T09:13:00.000+02:00

White and cloudy sky in Gijon at 8:00 this morning, there is almost no wind in the zone ... The sailors started to fill in the attendance sheet at 8:00 and the boats have started to leave Gijon's harbour at 8:30. Only 34 boats will leave, Vincent Pilato (481 - Mcom) will not set sails for personal reasons. The starting line should be on the right of the zone and the windward mark should be a 1.3 miles next to San Lorenzo beach... Now, everything depends of the wind in the zone...

The start is postponed by 23 hours.

2010-05-08T21:23:00.002+02:00

The fleet will set sails on Monday the 10th of May at 11 am. This delay is due to the stormy pressure that slowly moves in the Bay of Biscay. This pressure should cause harsh heavy showers at 45 knots in Sunday to Monday’s night. For obvious safety reasons, the race committee have decided to postpone the start of this second leg between Gijon and La Rochelle. The firsts should reach La Rochelle during Thursday to Friday night.

B course.

2010-05-08T18:14:00.003+02:00

The course B has been chosen for the start tomorrow at noon... 465 nm, 500 nm (number of miles validated). The fleet heads to a mark buoy to leave portside (46°05.6N - 01°42.4W), Ile d'Yeu to leave portside, the South Cardinal buoy named Sablaire to leave starboard (46°43,7 - 02°19,4W), Belle Isle to be left portside, the lighthouse of Birvideaux to circumvent and leave starboard (47°29.2N - 03°17.4W), Belle Ile to leave starboard, mark buoy to leave portside, the lighthouse of Chanchardon to leave portside, the tower of Antioch to leave starboard, finish line between the buoy at the Minimes to leave portside and a tetrahedral orange buoy to leave starboard.

Meteo Consult: pressure...

2010-05-08T18:07:00.002+02:00

Sunday the 9th of May
The low pressure moves quickly in the morning to head towards the middle of the Bay of Biscay. It goes slightly north in the afternoon, and generates very disturbed conditions. For the start, conditions of low pressure with west-southwest wind force 3-4 that turns west. The showers limit the visibility. With the rise of the low pressure in the afternoon, the west wind strengthens and is then northwest force 4-5 with a risk of reaching force 5-6 in a sea that becomes rough. In the evening and night it will continue to strengthen sector west-north-west force 6 with potential 35 knots gales and gusts. This kind of changing situations limits its reliability due to uncertainty about the precise development of the low pressure. Nevertheless, there are risks of conditions that will get worse.

Forecast for the beginning of next week
Low pressures on Monday in the North of theBay of Biscay before reaching France on Tuesday. The low pressure and very unstable conditions on Monday will change into a northerly stream Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, the pressure should increase and improve the weather forecast.

Ryan has arrived...

2010-05-07T13:49:00.000+02:00

Ryan Finn (252 - Myrna Minkoff) has arrived. Everybody's in Gijon...

Welcome to Gijon!

2010-05-07T10:45:00.003+02:00

Located on the shores of the Bay of Biscay, Gijon enjoys an attractive combination between coastal environment, heritage and modern seaside architecture. The important buildings of the city have their origins in the town's Roman past, before it has grown in the sixteenth century when the Catholic Kings decided to build a port.
The hill of Santa Catalina and the fishing district of Cimadevilla compose the old city of Gijon. Its first inhabitants chose to stay on this hill and this city was chosen, in our days, to welcome the Elogio del Horizonte, a monumental work of the Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida.
From here, you can appreciate a breathtaking view over the Bay of Biscay, the Costa Verde and Cimadevilla. Between San Lorenzo beach and the marina, there are Roman streets, noble manors and fishermen homes. The situation of Gijon, in the Costa Verde and midway between the eastern and western Asturias makes it a perfect place to go all over both the coast and hinterland.
The East coast invites to a walk on the vast beaches from the historical towns like Ribadesella and Llanes and fishing ports such as Lastres or Tazones. The interior offers another Asturian natural attraction, the mountains. The national park of Picos de Europa is located in this region, where lakes, forests and peaks (over 2,000 meters above sea level) hide many hamlets.

Ryan Finn at sea..

2010-05-07T10:14:00.002+02:00

Fabienne Robin (603 - Plume d'Ange) has arrived. She reached Gijon at 8:56.
Among prototypes, Alban Astier (785 - Seanergy) arrived at 8:31 am.
Ryan Finn should be in Gijon at about noon today.

They arrived last night...

2010-05-07T08:01:00.001+02:00

As expected, they were likely to arrive late at night. Series: 579, Loïc Le Bras on its Tip Top Cachaca, Nacho Orti (488 - Orti Nacho busca sponsor) at 1:33, Francois Denis (518 - Passion d'avril) at 1:53, Pierre Cizeau (746 - Colibri) at 2:19, Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly- AG2R La Mondiale) at 02h41 and Andy Abel (587 - Pepen) at 2:44, Tolga Pamir (737 - Yakamoz), Benoit Reynis (452 - Al Dente), Emmanuel Renaud 446 - Koati) and Vincent Pilato (481 - MCOM).
Prototypes: Henrik Masekowitz on 625 (Caribou) at 2:00, then Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow Me), Pierre Denjean (36 - Oufti) and Lucas Schroder (509 - Banzai).

Series and series again...

2010-05-07T00:07:00.000+02:00

Jean-Marie Oger (774 - Sailing JMO), Yann Le Pautremat (483 - As de coeur - Mécénat Chirurgie), Mark Green (733 - Friends of the Earth Kokopelli), Brendan Archin (757 - Association La Touline) and Conrad Colman (80 - Colman Course au large) arrived almost at the mean time... It is almost midnight and the wind is light.S

Robert Rosen Jacobson et Benoit Laurière, 4th and 5th series boats

2010-05-06T21:08:00.000+02:00

The boats follow one another... Robert Rosen Jacobson (602 - Ned602) is 4th of this first leg and Benoît Laurière (539 - Kalonig 2) is 5th. Both of them seem to be very satisfied to have finished this leg... Night falls on Gijon and wind... too!

Jonas Gerckens completes the series podium.

2010-05-06T20:56:00.002+02:00

The 3rd series boat is Jonas Gercken's one, Pragma Work in

1 d 09 h 01 m and 10 s.

Henri Patou and Paul Marette arrived in Gijon.

2010-05-06T20:29:00.000+02:00

Henri Patou on the 551 Ecartip is ranked 6th - prototypes - in Gijon.

Arrival of Paul Marette on Région Nord Pas de Calais. He is the 7th proto to reach Gijon.

Amaury François, second in the series category.

2010-05-06T20:26:00.002+02:00

Nice race for Amaury François - on Groupe Qualitel - who finished on the step of the podium for series in 1 d 08 h 32 m and 50s.

5th proto in Gijon.

2010-05-06T19:42:00.001+02:00

Etienne David on Team Work (679) arrived in 5th position in Gijon. His race time: 1 d 7 h 35 m and 17 s.

Nicolas Boidevezi (719 – Groupe GDE), his first words in Gijon...

2010-05-06T19:37:00.004+02:00

"I am just falling apart right now… This first leg was extreme! It started very badly when I lost my halyard in the mast after the mark. I was very upset! There was this quite strong North stream when we left the sluice. You needed to have a strong stomach! It was a crazy never-ending tack… The wind... It blew at 28 knots… I gave all I had until I decided to change my course. I had my small spinnaker all the time. I was confident because of the experience I had from last year, so I gave it all. On the other hand, I was over-confident with the forecast and I ended in the West out of the course. And I had to tack and tack since 8 am this morning under the cliff… It was a little hard for my nerves but still… I’m happy. Happy because it was difficult for me in the beginning and the beginning of the season was hard too… I was not feeling great. And now I do!”

He said it..

2010-05-06T19:36:00.002+02:00

Jorg Riechers (753 – Mare.de): “I’m very happy with this victory. It’s always nice to win a leg on the Mini Pavois! The forecast was very rough in the afternoon in the Bay of Biscay. There were gusts at 30/32 knots. In the beginning I was sailing with my code 5 then I have put my genaker, but it was not very wise from me... I almost did not sleep and I had to helm all the time. The last two hours when I was approaching Gijon were very difficult for me because there was no wind… Lots of wind then nothing; it is a very hard situation for the nerves! 20 minutes after the mark I had a rudder blade problem and I had to repair it with broken ropes… But I am satisfied because it did not fail!”

Starter (Xavier Macaire), first Series boat in Gijon.

2010-05-06T18:52:00.000+02:00

Xavier Macaire on Starter (472) crossed the first leg's finish line. He is, thus, the first Series boat to arrive and to finish the first leg between La Rochelle and Gijon.

ONG CONSEIL, Lucas Montagne : 4th in Gijon

2010-05-06T17:55:00.001+02:00

Lucas Montagne is the fourth prototype's sailor that crossed Gijon's finish line.

Prototypes podium: 1st leg La Rochelle/Gijon

2010-05-06T16:56:00.000+02:00

Jorg Riechers: 1 day 04 hours 03 minutes and 10 seconds / 8.73 knots average speed.
Nicolas Boidevezi: 1 day 04 hours 38 minutes and 03 seconds / 34'53s from the 1st / 8,56 knots average speed.
Thomas Normand: 1 day 04 hours 55 minutes and 16 seconds / 52' from the 1st / 17' from the second / 8,47 knots average speed.

Third prototype in Gijon.

2010-05-06T16:37:00.001+02:00

In the end of the first leg from La Rochelle to Gijon, Thomas Normand (787 - Financière de l'échiquier) took the third rank for the prototypes classification.

Boidevezi just arrived

2010-05-06T16:11:00.001+02:00

Bravo to Nicolas Boidevezi (719 - Défi G.D.E) that crossed the line in second position for prototypes category.

Sébastien Rogues arrived at La Rochelle

2010-05-06T15:59:00.000+02:00

The skipper of Eole Generation - GDF SUEZ (No. 716) arrived in the port of La Rochelle at 15:40.
The boat's internal rudder blade system is broken.

Jorg Riechers race time

2010-05-06T15:57:00.000+02:00

The No. 753 Jorg Riechers aboard Mare.de covered the 300 miles of this first leg between La Rochelle and Gijon in 1 day, 4 hours, 3 minutes and 10 seconds at 8.73 knots average.

Jorg Riechers, first prototype in Gijon at the end of the first leg.

2010-05-06T15:26:00.001+02:00

And here it is, Jorg Riechers aboard Mare.de (No. 753) has crossed the finish line of the first leg of Mini Pavois 2010. Congratulations to him for his fine race handling!

Only 1 mile left before the finish line.

2010-05-06T15:09:00.001+02:00

Jorg Riechers - No. 753 - Mare.de, is still leading the prototypes fleet and he is only a mile away from the finish line.

Jorg Riechers, 1st at 1 pm

2010-05-06T14:20:00.000+02:00

Jorg Riechers was 8 miles away from the finish line in Gijon , today at 1 pm. He is sailing at 4 knots speed.
Among the series boats, Xavier Macaire is still leading, 25 miles ahead... He is sailing at over 5 knots.
There is almost no wind off Gijon's coasts, the arrival will be very tough for the nerves.

Fleet news by Pen Ar Clos 2... (continuation)

2010-05-06T13:06:00.000+02:00

News from Penn Ar Clos 2 that says that Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly-AG2R La Mondiale), Emmanuel Renaud (446 - Koati) and Lucas Schroder (Banzai) have pilot problems.

Fleet news by Penn Ar Clos 2

2010-05-06T12:05:00.004+02:00

The escort boat Penn Ar Clos 2 informed us via André Jeantet that No. 625, Henrik Masekowitz (La ligue contre le cancer) has damaged his pilot, but continued to Gijon. No. 265 Paul Marette (Nord Pas de Calais) has a problem with the tiller axis as Benoit Reynis (Al Dente), which has a damaged rudder.

First prototypes ETA is now between 13:00 and 14:00

2010-05-06T12:00:00.001+02:00

The wind runs out of steam approaching the coast of Spain... as expected. The first prototypes should be in view of the finish line between 13:00 and 14:00.

Seb Rogues 20 miles from La Rochelle

2010-05-06T11:58:00.001+02:00

Despite numerous calls (by VHF) made to Sébastien Rogues (Eole Generation GDF Suez), he did not respond. It seems that Sébastien has no communication means on board. Anyway, at the last positioning 11:00 am local time, Sébastien was currently 20 miles away from la Rochelle in the south-west Chassiron. GPO's team will be in this area to welcome him.

More pics on...

2010-05-06T10:49:00.001+02:00

Several photographers came to the Mini Pavois 2010 start... Thus, if you want to see more pictures go and visit their websites : Thierry Martinez, Ricochets17 for Christophe Breschi, Olivier Blanchet, Audialog for Guillaume Grange, Christophe Favreau, Jean-Michel Rieupeyrout...

When Nissan was dismated.

2010-05-06T10:33:00.000+02:00

Thank you to Guillaume Grange that gave us this picture taken when Aurélien Ducroz's boat was dismasted.

ETA prototypes.

2010-05-06T10:04:00.000+02:00

12:00: ETA for the first prototypes in Gijon.

Less than 30 miles from the finish line at 8:00 am.

2010-05-06T09:20:00.001+02:00

Nicolas Boidevezi, that was in the lead for a long time overnight, slipped in second position in the late night. And Jorg Riechers took the lead one more time. They are both neck and neck, the German is only 1.64 miles before NIcolas... Just behind them, the amazing Thomas Normand. Two sailors to monitor in 4th and 5th positions, Montagne and David, both of them, discover their boats. One on Olivier Avram's Finot design and the other on Stéphane Le Diraison's Manuard design.
As expected, the speeds now tease 6 knots. The award for best speed between the last two positioning goes to Thomas Normand with 10.33 knots! Thomas and Lucas Montagne seem to have found a vein of wind that allows them to slide faster than the others.

On the Series side, same version. Xavier Macaire is still leading and he is 10.8 miles from Jonas Gerckens. Their speeds are 7 / 8 knots, and they are 15 miles behind the first prototype. Xavier was 42 miles away from the finish line at 8:00 am (local time). Benoit Laurière is 3rd, Robert Rosen Jacobson is 4th and Amaury François is 5th.

55 ° course for Sébastien Rogues

2010-05-06T09:09:00.001+02:00

Sébastien Rogues surely has technical problems (716 - Eole Generation - GDF Suez). Since last night, he made a U-turn and follows a north-east course towards La Rochelle. Sebastien is sailing at low speed, a little over 5 knots.
Additional information as soon as possible.

Ryan Finn returned to sea

2010-05-06T09:06:00.000+02:00

The American Ryann Finn (252 - Myrna Mynkoff) left again in the evening after having solved its problems of runners, batten mainsail and driver.

Withdrawals of Pascal Chombard de Lauwe and Benoit Verbeke

2010-05-06T08:01:00.000+02:00

Pascal Chombard of Lauwe (721 - Xanlite) that left La Rochelle yesterday in the late afternoon, finally returned to port and said he withdraws for the persistent problem of autopilot.
Benoit Verbeke (663 - Gully-Vert) is back to La Rochelle and has also withdraw for personal reasons in the evening.

Milan Kolacek will leave as soon as possible...

2010-05-05T19:13:00.003+02:00

The number 759, Milan Kolacek is busy emptying the water out of his cockpit and dry his flooded electronic... He said that he wants to leave as soon as possible!

New return

2010-05-05T18:40:00.002+02:00

The No. 663, Benoit Verbeke (Gully-Vert) has recently said to an escort boat that he was returning back to La Rochelle.

The start in brief...

2010-05-05T18:37:00.003+02:00

The start has kept its promises: a North/Northeast stream blowing at 20 knots with 25/27 knots gusts. One or two reefs in the mainsail and a reef in the solent, that 's what most of the Minis did this morning.

Great start at 11:14 am south-west off La Rochelle with a windward mark 2 nm in the north of the line, just off the Port des Minimes. The German Jorg Riechers (753 - Mare.de) tacked in the lead for prototypes, followed a few minutes later by Sébastien Rogues (716 - Eole Generation - GDF Suez) and Nicolas Boidevezi (Défi G.D.E). Three men that call the tune and that we should count on... Also, in their wake Thomas Normand (787 - Finance de l'Echiquier) on his brand new design Manuard 2010, Henri Patou (551 - Ecartip) and the Czech Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow Me).
On the side of Series boats, Jean-Marc Allaire (464 - Baker Tilly - AG2R La Mondiale) is calling the tune followed by Xavier Macaire (472 - Starter). Impossible not to think about the "demonstration" made by Xavier in the first leg of the Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 2009 when he took the lead with Francisco Lobato, ahead of the prototypes in the downwind breeze. Xavier likes these conditions; we can guess it at first sight. Some starts were quite something to see along the axis of the bridge of Ré Island, where the sea became rougher and there was heavy air... The distance gaps after a few nautical miles are already consistent between those who know that they need to whip to tease the podium and those who remain wise...

Dismast, breakages and returns to port...
We know it: the wind conditions are ever more demanding and this departure has had its share of technical misfortunes. The most painful are definitely for Aurélien Ducroz (417 - Nissan), which dismasted before having reached the mark. The freeride World champion is logically very disappointed to see this adventure end so quickly.
Hard blow for the Spanish Jorge Maden Ruiz as well (636 - Casio G-Shock), which has dismasted on his way to La Rochelle to solve a technical problem... Dirty trick! David Raison is also disappointed to have to throw the towel with his Magnum. This boat has undoubtedly shattered the conventional wisdom... A broken chock of a rudder and he was forced to return to port. On the way back, he damaged his hull ... David prefers to withdraw, we are sorry for him... Return to the port also for Milan Kolacek. In the leading group, Milan has had a schnorkel problem (ed, a system that allows to fill in the ballast aboard) and the water has completely filled the cockpit. With all its electronics flooded, Milan must withdraw from the race too. Also note: Pascal Chombard de Lauwe (721 - Xanlite) which had an autopilot problem forcing him to return to the port will leave soon again, Fabienne Robin (708 - Plume d'Ange) who also returned to port for pilot damages has left La Rochelle already. Ryann Finn (252 - Myrna Minkoff) is on his way back to the port to repair his pilot, main sail batten and running backstay.

A departure and 3 arrivals at La Rochelle

2010-05-05T14:34:00.001+02:00

Fabienne Robin (708 - Plume d'Angel) finally left after a short return to the port for pilot problems... It was obviously not serious.

David Raison (747 - Magnum) is, indeed, less lucky since he had to withdraw a few hours after the start of the 2010 edition.

Finally note, three returns to the port for technical problems with Czech Milan Kolacek (759 - Follow Me), Spanish Maden Jorge Ruiz (636 - Casio G-Shock) and American Ryan Finn (252 - Myrna Minkoff).

2nd series boat

2010-05-05T13:13:00.003+02:00

The second series boat that has turned the windward mark is the No. 472 - STARTER - Xavier Macaire.

1st series boat to the turn the mark.

2010-05-05T12:21:00.003+02:00

The first series boat that turned the mark is Jean-Marc ALLAIRE's - No. 464 -BAKER TILLY - AG2R La Mondiale.

Aurélien Ducroz announces that he has dismasted.

2010-05-05T12:04:00.001+02:00

Even before turning around the mark, Aurélien Ducroz aboard the Proto Nissan (417), has dismasted and returns to the port.

Prototypes category: the 1st to the mark buoy.

2010-05-05T12:00:00.003+02:00

The first three prototypes that have turned around the mark were:

1 - No. 753, Jorg Riechers (Mare.de)
2 - No. 716, Sébastien Rogues (Eole Generation - GDF Suez))
3 - No. 719, Nicolas Boidevezi (Défi G.D.E)

Fabienne Robin is heading towards La Rochelle

2010-05-05T11:45:00.000+02:00

The No. 708, Fabienne Robin (Plume d'Ange) is heading towards the Port des Minimes. She must have a technical problem, we will know more when she will be back at the port.

Good start at 11:14 (French time)!

2010-05-05T11:38:00.004+02:00

The fleet has rushed for the first stage of Mini Pavois 2010, boats are on their way to turn a windward mark buoy off the Port des Minimes.

N° 721, Pascal Chombard de Lauwe (Xanlite) has come back to the port before the starting sequence for an autopilot problem.
N° 747, David Raison (Magnum) is returning to the Port des Minimes for a rudder problem.

11:04 am: Starting sequence

2010-05-05T11:12:00.000+02:00

Slight delay of the starting sequence...
In the sarting area, the wind blows north at 20 knots with gusts as expected.

Last minute withdrawal...

2010-05-05T09:14:00.001+02:00

For personal reasons, Philippe Lacaze on Istuardo (N° 603) withdrew from the Mini Pavois.

Start on Wednesday the 5th of May at 11:00 am

2010-05-04T18:54:00.001+02:00

The race will start at 11:00 am off La Rochelle. The starting line will be anchored south-west of Port des Minimes and the boats will have to pass a turning mark buoy windward just off La Rochelle. Then, they will head towards the exit of the sluice, heading for the Bay of Biscay.

Weather forecast…

2010-05-04T18:51:00.001+02:00

Eric Mas - Meteo Consult: "The Mediterranean low pressure is gradually fill in, in the morning (1002 hPa at noon) in the Gulf of Lions before moving toward the Gulf of Genoa during the afternoon. In the mean time, the high pressure off Ireland collapses slightly (1030 hPa at midday) while moving away to the north. The pressure gradient really slackens in the Bay of Biscay and the conditions are improving gradually. At noon, in La Rochelle, the wind forecast will be NNE force 5 gusting to 25 knots. Offshore it is the same and waves slowly weaken. The waves height is then limited to 2m50 max. It is sunnier and with fewer showers, the visibility is most of the time excellent. At night, from Wednesday to Thursday, on the direct route to Gijon, the conditions continue to weaken slowly. "

Rock’n’roll… in three-four time!

2010-05-04T18:50:00.002+02:00

Postponed until tomorrow Wednesday, the first part of this leg toward Spain will be intensely sporting. The North / North-East stream will continue to blow along the Atlantic coast at 20 knots with 25 knots gusts. The wind will gradually turn north and weaken and then turn northwest. A Northwest stream that boldly glides west approaching the Iberian coasts. The problem might be the low wind zone that will glide from North to South and that could trap the end of the fleet Thursday evening.
A well-known tune… With a buffer zone that will trap some of the sailors to better increase the lead… Because, let be clear: there should be plenty of sails changes and handlings on this first leg! The first 245 nm could be done in a little more than 24 hours, on the condition that the participation aboard is 100%. Main headsail in the breeze for those that want to speedily consume miles in the beginning of the race, flat sails for a nice finish… A "boar" menu in the beginning but with gourmet tends as for the strategy: should they go on the direct path quickly or should they keep the West to have an angle at the approach of Spanish coasts when the wind will almost be in their stern? Interesting ... Anyway: this first leg provides a perfect menu with endurance, strategy and an excellent compromise course / speed. A lot of tension and attention... Could we expect better conditions? ...

"Gueules de briefing"

2010-05-04T14:02:00.001+02:00

Christophe Breschi has taken a few pictures named "gueules de briefing" on Monday evening... To see them, go on his website http://www.ricochets17.com. Nice...