Dragons at the 40th Régates Royales Cannes - Day 1
by Alexander Panzeri 25 Sep 2018 06:40 BST
22-29 September 2018
40th Régates Royales Cannes day 1 © Alexander Panzeri
The first day of Autumn, the first day of the week, and the first day of the event and first day of races has been tricky due to the weather that was very warm and hazy, with the wind making life difficult for the Race Committee and crews of the Dragon Class.
First a false start for all four photographers before 09:15UTC with a long AP flag as the wind was calm. Many Dragons decided to come back in to the port. While we all were waiting ashore, crews of the classic boats were setting up their yachts or going to test in the harbour.
Some colleagues went home, some went to the beach (this year the water is really warm) and around 13:00UTC finally the R.C. found the wind. It was shifting, but the waves started to grow, signalling the wind should arrive for Tuesday.
The first attempt to start was at 13:52UTC but a general recall was required, and a Uniform flag was raised; Unfortunately, probably only 10 seconds before start, again the R.C. was obliged to raise the AP flag due to the changing wind, then moving the race course closer to the island.
With a variable, shifty 5 to 7 knots strong wind, the Race Committee and the sailors had to use some patience and wait for the right setup to launch the first race of the 2018 Dragon series in Cannes. Characteristically, the level of competition among the 70 years old one-design class is extremely high, with reigning champion, the Russian crew from Annapurna, skippered by Anatoly Longinov who will have to fend off the attacks from several serious contenders to the title. Today’s victory went to German-flagged Meerblick skippered by Otto Pohlmann, followed by fellow countryman Nicola Friesen on NN and Cannes-based skipper Gérard Blanc on Tsuica II.
Find out more at www.regatesroyales.com/en