Just six points separate Team BAE Systems from the coveted Tour de France a la Voile podium after another robust performance in the shortened offshore race to Gruissan on Saturday plus the three inshore races today which all confirmed the team's preference for a strong breeze.
The Mediterranean was supposed to serve up flat seas and a gentle breeze, in contrast to the conditions the 14 strong TDFV fleet encountered in the Atlantic.
But when they went to start the 62nm offshore race from Roses in Spain to Gruissan, the Tramontana, an unpleasant 25 knot northerly wind looked to be posing extra risks so the race committee decided the boats should motor under storm jib for the first section of the course then race the rest of the 33 miles under sail.
They left Roses for Argelès and started the leg from there in winds gusting over 26knots. The mixed international crew on Team BAE Systems of Omani, French and British sailors rose to the challenge and despite the tough conditions, crossed the finish line in sixth place.
They followed up Saturday’s success with a string of top ten performances in Sunday's technical races, wrapping up a tiring weekend with a third place in the final race. It leaves Team BAE Systems in fourth overall with a real contest developing against Bretagne-Credit Mutuel Elite in third place with the inshore race on Monday and the final 124 mile offshore to La Seyne sur Mer set to decide the rankings.
With each stage of the month long Tour de France a la Voile, the crew on Team BAE Systems has made steady progress, due mostly to good team spirit and hard work which has put them on a par with the other professional crews.
Majid Al Mageni, headsail trimmer said: "Our results today could have been better but I'm very happy. We are better when there is a breeze and we are tested more. For me this is more important than finishing first.
"I'm happy to be sailing with Cedric, Leigh and others. This is a great opportunity to learn and to be successful. Fourth overall is better than last year, and it's not over yet. A third place would be amazing!"
Cedric Pouligny, skipper / helmsman added: "We could have had a great result as we sailed well. But it is true that this very fickle wind direction and strength, sometimes makes things difficult to control. I'm very happy with the crew because everyone is working really well together. It's amazing how much progress we have made since we started."
Leigh McMillan, tactician: "In the breeze, our team members especially the guys from Oman have shown increasing confidence. I remember the regatta in Douarnenez in May, when we had just teamed up and things were very different. Today, in these shifting windy conditions, there is enormous progress. We feel like we have a good chance of making it onto the podium."
Nicolas Deberque, trimmer: "We enjoyed ourselves under spinnaker and hit 20 knots! In the breeze, the Team BAE Systems crew does well. Everyone has done a superb job, I'm really proud to sail with them; it's very satisfying to see how all team members have improved since March. We are getting closer to the best crews in the fleet."
From : Oman Sail
Credit : TDF
The Mediterranean was supposed to serve up flat seas and a gentle breeze, in contrast to the conditions the 14 strong TDFV fleet encountered in the Atlantic.
But when they went to start the 62nm offshore race from Roses in Spain to Gruissan, the Tramontana, an unpleasant 25 knot northerly wind looked to be posing extra risks so the race committee decided the boats should motor under storm jib for the first section of the course then race the rest of the 33 miles under sail.
They left Roses for Argelès and started the leg from there in winds gusting over 26knots. The mixed international crew on Team BAE Systems of Omani, French and British sailors rose to the challenge and despite the tough conditions, crossed the finish line in sixth place.
They followed up Saturday’s success with a string of top ten performances in Sunday's technical races, wrapping up a tiring weekend with a third place in the final race. It leaves Team BAE Systems in fourth overall with a real contest developing against Bretagne-Credit Mutuel Elite in third place with the inshore race on Monday and the final 124 mile offshore to La Seyne sur Mer set to decide the rankings.
With each stage of the month long Tour de France a la Voile, the crew on Team BAE Systems has made steady progress, due mostly to good team spirit and hard work which has put them on a par with the other professional crews.
Majid Al Mageni, headsail trimmer said: "Our results today could have been better but I'm very happy. We are better when there is a breeze and we are tested more. For me this is more important than finishing first.
"I'm happy to be sailing with Cedric, Leigh and others. This is a great opportunity to learn and to be successful. Fourth overall is better than last year, and it's not over yet. A third place would be amazing!"
Cedric Pouligny, skipper / helmsman added: "We could have had a great result as we sailed well. But it is true that this very fickle wind direction and strength, sometimes makes things difficult to control. I'm very happy with the crew because everyone is working really well together. It's amazing how much progress we have made since we started."
Leigh McMillan, tactician: "In the breeze, our team members especially the guys from Oman have shown increasing confidence. I remember the regatta in Douarnenez in May, when we had just teamed up and things were very different. Today, in these shifting windy conditions, there is enormous progress. We feel like we have a good chance of making it onto the podium."
Nicolas Deberque, trimmer: "We enjoyed ourselves under spinnaker and hit 20 knots! In the breeze, the Team BAE Systems crew does well. Everyone has done a superb job, I'm really proud to sail with them; it's very satisfying to see how all team members have improved since March. We are getting closer to the best crews in the fleet."
From : Oman Sail
