Tour Voile Day 6: A different challenge in Barneville-Carteret
by A.S.O. / Tour Voile 11 Jul 2018 22:09 BST
6-22 July 2018
Tour Voile Day 6 © Jean-Marie Liot / ASO
In its 40 year history the Tour Voile in its different guises has started from Dunkirk – as it did last Friday – no fewer than 32 times. It has been to Dieppe 28 times. But this is just the second time that the annual French classic will be hosted by Barneville-Carteret. There is some considerable anticipation as the 26 Tour Voile teams arrived today to set up overlooking the long sandy beaches which are the reason that the area is such a popular seaside resort, with the waters warmed by the Gulf Stream.
Barneville-Carteret lies some 35kms SSW of Cherbourg-Octeville, on the west side of the peninsula. There is a ferry service runs from the port of Carteret to Jersey in the Channel Islands.
While the seaside village is no doubt quiet off season, right now it is bustling with tourists and for them and the townspeople the arrival of the Tour is big news. And the Tour Voile here complements the Tour des Ports de La Manche, an open annual multiclass regatta series which links Granville, Barneville-Carteret, Jersey, Dielette, Cherbourg and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue. It attracts more than 100 yachts which makes it Normandy's biggest race series.
It promises to be an exciting and challenging venue with strong tidal currents in play which will make the Coastal Race along the Côte des Isles especially interesting. The range of the tide tomorrow is 7.1m and a tidal coefficient of 96 in the morning and 99 in the afternoon.
"For sure if we were on the Tour de France cycling these next two coastal races would be mountain stages. This and the Golfe du Morbihan are classic coastal racing areas. It looks like the coastal races will be full on. There is a lot to play for here. And the maxim for the coastal races so far is that it is not over until it is finished. We have learned that we are quick, we executed the plan, and we are sailing the boat well. These coastal races are a test and you don't give up." Says GBR's Stevie Morrison the co-skipper on third placed #sailingarabia.
At the top the Tour standings Beijaflore are showing strong form, arriving here with a lead of nine points after winning both events in Dieppe. #sailingarabia are 19 points behind.
Find out more at www.tourvoile.fr