Arkema 4 heading for a decisive final between Toulon and Brest in the Pro Sailing Tour
by Arkema Sailing 8 Jul 2021 10:16 BST
The Ocean Fifty Arkema 4 in the 3rd episode of the Pro Sailing Tour © Vincent Olivaud / Arkema Sailing
The third episode of the Pro Sailing Tour in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria concluded on Sunday 4th July with outstanding results for the Arkema 4 crew skippered by Quentin Vlamynck, marking three wins out of four completed races.
At the end of this penultimate episode, the skipper and his crew still confirm their full potential and their second place in the provisional general classification, just three points behind the leader. Scheduled to start on 1st August, the Toulon-Brest final leg will be decisive to single out the big winner of this first edition of the Pro Sailing Tour 2021.
New record for the Gran Canaria round-the-island race
The third episode of the Pro Sailing Tour began on Thursday with a burly start: a 24-hour race round the two islands of Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura. "We made a good start for this race", says Quentin. "By coping well with the wind shadows around the island of Gran Canaria, we improved on our own record set in 2019 with Lalou. We completed the circuit in 7h55 against 10h22." Despite losing their gennaker (large fore-sail), the Arkema 4 crew managed to complete the course of this 24h challenge in 2nd position.
In the inshore regattas on Saturday and Sunday, the 7 Ocean Fifty crews had to deal with elusive winds on the starting line, which greatly complicated the sailors' task.
"We may have been unlucky on Saturday towards the start, but we made up for it really well on Sunday!" With three wins out of four heats, the Arkema 4 crew recorded its finest day since the beginning of the competition. "We are still just as happy with the boat and the unity of the crew. The ambience on board is excellent, and with each race we make progress."
Down to the wire right to the end
This first edition of the Pro Sailing Tour will end with a major final event between Toulon and Brest in the first week of August and will determine the big winner of 2021. Even though Leyton has a slight lead of three points, it is all to play for in the general classification.
"To take the lead in the overall classification in Brest, we'll need to finish ahead of Ciela Village and for Leyton to finish two places behind us. It won't be easy to achieve this, but this offshore regatta format will be completely different. We'll be leaving for a 7-day sailing stint, in varied conditions with an often tricky crossing of the Mediterranean. Given the advantages of Arkema 4, we have every chance to succeed!"
The Griffes du Lion before Toulon
With the cancellation of the Marseille episode initially scheduled for the end of July, the Arkema Sailing team has decided to make a small change to its program. After a few days' sailing around Las Palmas to thank Jorge Cantero and all his teams for their welcome, the Arkema 4 Ocean Fifty will head for Port-Camargue, the home port of famous skipper Kito de Pavant. Quentin and his crew have in fact decided to tackle the Griffes du Lion, three timed courses from Port-Camargue, and so set reference times in Ocean Fifty.
"We're thrilled to be able to add to our program these records set by Kito, and to be the first 50-foot trimaran to tackle this great challenge. This will enable us to work even more on the maneuvers with Lalou and Raphaël and also remain in 'competition' mode."
Classification for Episode 3 of the Pro Sailing Tour
1. Leyton - 69 points
2. Arkema 4 - 66 points
3. Ciela Village - 58 points
4. Solidaires en Peloton - ARSEP - 55 points
5. Primonial - 45 points
6. The Arch - 40 points
7. Groupe CGA - 1001 sourires - 32 points
General classification of the Pro Sailing Tour
1. Leyton - 22 points
2. Arkema 4 - 18 points
3. Ciela Village - 15 points
4. Primonial - 12 points
5. Solidaires en Peloton-ARSEP - 11 points
6. Groupe CGA - 1001 sourires - 8 points
7. The Arch - 3 points