Euro cup action in La Rochelle

Fat Face RS800 Eurocup, La Rochelle, France

In the aftermath of the Paris 2012 bid still coursing through their veins the scenic club of La Rochelle proved to be efficient, friendly and well, what can I say, French.

The racing proved to be light throughout the week allowing a range of sailors to test their metal at the front of the fleet. In 10 races there were 6 different winners which just showed how varied and exciting/depressing the racing was:
Race Winners:
1- Andy Jeffries & Allyson Ooy
2- Andy Jeffries & Allyson Ooy
3- Jason Smith & Julia Plumstead
4- Andy Jeffries & Allyson Ooy
5- Phil King & Ian Robertson
6- Paddy Gamble & Charlie
7- Phil King & Ian Robertson
8- Spod & Jane Olive (Harken/Sola)
9- Spod & Jane Olive (Harken/Sola)
10- Andy Cornah & Urwin Murray

The big down side of the week was the particularly low tides which reaped havoc on the 800 fleet with 6 boats running aground in the main channel, keeping the LDC and Ashdown Marine sailors busy repairing split centreboard casings. This coupled with the huge jelly fish head butting boards and rudders gave many sailors some severe damage to boats and egos.

It�s always difficult writing a report of a long regatta mainly because it copies the score board and says little of the battles throughout the fleet and challenges of the venue. From the sailing perspective the best wind was during the practise race, allowing some solid twin wiring all around the course with the lifts coming in from the right hand side as the sea breeze pulsed from the Isle De Re. For the rest of the week the wind proved remarkably inconsistent, which allowed a range of boats and different styles to dominate. The race officer seemed intent on laying the line with a bias of some sort just to add to the variety of the racing

For the majority of the races the right paid with pulses or shifts favouring that side but just when you thought you had sussed it, it kicked in on the other side. With big holes in the wind we often found ourselves falling into windward and working the boat to keep it flat proved to be essential.

The strangest feeling was hitting jelly fish. You would be about to pass ahead of one boat and then a soft �thud� and a lurch forward often followed by a sharp bear away to duck the same boat. Some downwind collisions even caused sever damage, with crews being asked to kick off the debris which would jam under the rudder blade.

The memories of the week? Has to be the hospitable and social nature of the club and town. A tremendous array of restaurants with fantastic sea food surrounded by the historic monuments of the town. You can see why it would have been the venue for the Paris Olympics in 2012. And remember, don�t mention the bid.