Tom Dolan beaten by the clock and finishes Tour de Bretagne in 13th
by Andi Robertson 11 Jul 19:11 BST
Tom Dolan aboard Smurfit Kappa © Breschi Live / Teamwork
A faltering wind and strong contrary tide put paid to the hopes of Ireland's Tom Dolan and French co-skipper Tanguy Leglatin of rescuing a solid final race result on the Tour de Bretagne à la Voile which finished today in Quiberon, Brittany.
Dolan and Leglatin, sailing Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan, were one of the ten boats in the field of 32 which were timed out, crossing the finish line outside of the time limit today and so scoring maximum points. This dropped Dolan and Leglatin from his intermediate standing of eighth on the General Classification after Saturday's 25th place finish which was also scored in light and fickle conditions.
"It is not the way we wanted to finish the week. We have had a tough couple of days which did not go our way. We made a few mistakes which we have learned from but ultimately in this fleet you have to be able to be consistent all the way through the week and we did not manage that." said Dolan on the dock in Quiberon at the end of the seven racing stages which started in Saint Malo a week ago on Saturday.
"We are disappointed, of course we are, but this was not a key regatta, this was most of all about validating the new sails I have for La Solitaire and for sure I have been quick enough, but unfortunately that is not enough if you are going in the wrong direction."