YOUNG GUNS WIN 40TH 470 SPRING CUP

The race area is in a large seawater lake about 4km wide by 18km long protected from the open sea by a narrow strip of land. Over the 4 days of racing the highly competent race committee managed to complete a full program of 12 races mostly under glorious sunshine and hot temperatures for the time of year. The wind ranged from 8-12 kts on the first two days picking up to a blustery 12-23 kts on the last two days.

Early leaders in men were Philippe Gildas and Jeremie Mion (FRA 27), but in the end they had to settle for second place behind a more local team from Antibes, Hippolyte Machetti and Sidoine Dantes (FRA 79). Third place went to the mixed crew Gideon Kliger and Yoshitoka Miho (JPN 1). Both Philippe Gildas and Gideon Kliger normally coach from support boats, so it was nice to see that they haven’t lost their touch in 470’s. First women place went to Benedetta Di Salla and Allesandra Dubbini (ITA 74) who also took 6th place overall, second were their compatriots Ilaria Paternoster and Caruso Bianca (ITA 33), followed by Linda Fahrni and Maja Siegenthaler (SUI 5).

The crews thoroughly enjoyed the venue, which was both practical from a racing point of view, the boat park being close to the relatively protected race area (sea conditions can get quite hefty when the wind gets up in the Med) as well as from a logistical point of view, with cheap entry fees, cheap accommodation close by and a pontoon for coach boats 10 meters from the club house. As a result the French National 470 Class Association will include this venue, which is conveniently placed on the route and dates between Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma and the French Olympic Week in Hyères, on the short list of locations for this event in the coming years.

Source: Bob Austin, V-P 470 France

CIP 470 / Spring Cup 470 Cercle de Voile Marseillan 2017 from Aribert Rinnert on Vimeo.