Bay of Saint-Brieuc next stop as Pro Sailing Tour reaches halfway mark

by Pro Sailing Tour 29 Jun 2022 18:01 BST 30 June - 3 July 2022

Episode 2 of the Pro Sailing Tour in Brest on June 23, in Brest, France © Lloyd Images / Pro Sailing Tour

With Bonifacio and Brest in the rearview mirror, offshore racing's most captivating new competition, the Pro Sailing Tour, reaches the halfway point of the intense two-month circuit that spans venues in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and English Channel.

The seven foiling Ocean Fifty trimarans will descend on Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Saint-Brieuc, Brittany in the coming days ahead of Episode 3 of the Pro Sailing Tour which kicks-off on Friday with the first of two days of inshore racing. On Sunday at 1900, the fleet will set off on the offshore challenge that will take them from Bay of Saint-Brieuc to Cowes in the UK for the first time.

Having just completed Episode 2 in Brest over the weekend, the teams are locked in an intense battle for the podium spots. Currently holding the lead in the preliminary rankings by just 1 point British skipper Sam Goodchild onboard Leyton is the 2021 defending champion, but a trio of his French rivals are hot on his heels with Quentin Vlamynck on Arkema and Sébastien Rogues onboard Primonial leading the charge, followed by Erwan Le Roux (FRA) on Koesio, just a point off the podium.

Saint-Brieuc Bay, Brittany, France - photo © Lloyd Images / Pro Sailing Tour

The self-declared 'rookie' of the fleet Eric Peron, on Komilfo has made huge progress since the Corsica episode and is on equal points with Thibaut Vauchel-Camus on Solidaires En Peloton-ARSEP in fifth and sixth place, while Gilles Lamiré (FRA) on Groupe GCA-1001 Sourires is less likely to cause an upset at this stage... But 'anything can happen' is the buzz phrase on the Pro Sailing Tour and with only five points separating fourth from first, the competition is still wide open.

"I'm looking forward to racing on the Bay of Saint-Brieuc again," said Sam Goodchild.

"I remember during the Solitaire du Figaro going very close to the coast to play with the currents. There's going to be some sport because in this sailing area, there are many parameters to take into account, which is what makes it so exciting as a competitor!"

Most of the Pro Sailing Tour crews will be very familiar with this area of the Channel and with plenty of navigational challenges, currents and tides to consider, the competition promises to be epic.

Pro Sailing Tour skippers - photo © Lloyd Images / Pro Sailing Tour

Ashore the festivities will be equally exciting

The Bay of Saint-Brieuc is getting ready to welcome the Pro Sailing Tour in style! The regatta village on the dock at Saint-Quay-Portrieux will be open to the public. There will be 'meet the team' moments, school visits, boat tours, and spectator boats to take the fans out on the water to watch the action. A marching band, round table discussions with the skippers, autograph opportunities and much more will keep visitors busy during the 3-day festival of racing.

Regatta programme

Friday 1 July: 10:00 start of the inshore regattas
Saturday 2 July: 10:00 start of the inshore regattas
Sunday 3 July: 19:00 start of the Offshore Challenge to Cowes

More information on the programme

Episode 3: the teams
(in bold, the trio for the Offshore Challenge to Cowes)

Arkema: