Emma and Luke McEwen win the French Open Skiff event 2025 at Lac du Der
by Sally Campbell 25 Apr 19:56 BST
19-21 April 2025
Emma and Luke McEwen at Bristol Race and Train - RS500 Rooster National Tour season opener © Ian Mairs
Right at the start of their first season in the RS500, and with a switch of roles in the boat, Emma and Luke McEwen have won the prestigious French Open Skiff event at Lac du Der.
Within the 24 boat fleet, 11 RS500s from the Netherlands and France enjoyed really close racing with multiple place changing during most races. The wind was generally light and (very) shifty, but a few rain squalls spiced things up on the last day!
Emma said, "Well that was certainly unexpected, but obviously something must have sunk in from Ian Mair's coaching at Bristol Corinthian!"
For anyone who's not been to Lac du Der, she says she'd definitely recommend it: "It's a fun relaxed event with great camaraderie within the French skiff scene, on a beautiful tranquil lake. Inexpensive entry, food and bunkhouse accommodation all on site. Or sleep in your van with lakeside view."
Event website: www.franceopenskiff.com
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Fleet | Class | Helm and crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | GBR 978 | IND F | RS500 | MCEWEN, Emma MCEWEN, Luke | 2 | ‑5 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 20 |
| 2 | SUI 123 | IND SF | 49FX | PFIRTER, Pierre‑Yves ERNE, Sabrina | 1 | 1 | ‑17 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7.5 | 21.5 |
| 3 | NED 1660 | IND F | RS500 | GORIS, Bruno KANTERS, Edith | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | ‑10 | 30 |
| 4 | NED 670 | IND F | RS500 | VAN BETHUM, Sybe VAN RAALTE, Friso | 3 | 8 | 8 | 1 | ‑12 | 6 | 6 | 7.5 | 39.5 |
| 5 | FRA 1068 | IND F | RS500 | WILKES, Brennan VAN DER MAADEN, | 7 | 6 | 5 | ‑13 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 41 |
| 6 | NED 1672 | IND F | RS500 | LEERDAM, Lucas VAN MUISWINKEL, | 11 | ‑13 | 12 | 4 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 51 |
| 7 | NED 1757 | IND F | RS500 | OUDSEN, Victor ZAALBERG, Maarkje | 10 | ‑14 | 1 | 14 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 52 |
| 8 | FRA 1722 | IND F | RS500 | MONNET, Nicolas MONNET, Mathurin | 4 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 15 | 7 | 13 | DNS (25) | 59 |
| 9 | FRA 1093 | IND F | RS500 | EMANUEL, Alexandre FROMENTOUX, Anne | ‑16 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 59 |
| 10 | FRA 940 | IND F | RS500 | THOMAS, Olivier THOMAS, Paco | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 8 | ‑15 | 8 | 6 | 61 |
| 11 | NED 777 | IND F | RS500 | OORD, Jeroen BLOM, Jette | 15 | ‑16 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 65 |
| 12 | FRA 998 | IND SF | 49ER | LLONCH, Thierry HYOUNET, Philippe | 5 | 2 | ‑19 | 11 | 10 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 69 |
| 13 | SUI 07 | IND F | DONE | RUFFENACHT, Patrick | 13 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | DNF (25) | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | 87 |
| 14 | FRA 902 | IND F | DONE | ABORD, Emmanuel | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | UFD (25) | 11 | 15 | 17 | 90 |
| 15 | FRA 1167 | IND F | CONT | DERAUCOURT, | 17 | ‑18 | 10 | 18 | 17 | 3 | 16 | 11 | 92 |
| 16 | FRA 1558 | IND F | CONT | RAYNON, Michel | 18 | ‑20.5 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 94 |
| 17 | NED 1116 | IND F | RS500 | VAN DER WIELEN, BAZELMANS, Marika | 14 | 15 | 14 | ‑19 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 99 |
| 18 | FRA 1571 | IND SF | 14F | ANTIER, Julien FRITSCH, Boris | 6 | 3 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 17 | DNF (25) | DNC 25 | 102 |
| 19 | FRA 2671 | IND F | CONT | DUQUESNEL, Denis | 20 | ‑22 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 118 |
| 20 | FRA 767 | IND SF | B14 | DUCARROIR, FARENYUK, Alexey | 21 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 17 | DNC (25) | 130 |
| 21 | FRA 1512 | IND SF | 14F | SHAW, Frederic VAUVRAY, Francois | 19 | 19 | ‑23 | 22 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 134 |
| 22 | FRA 31 | IND SF | IC1S | GUENIFFET, Jean | 22 | 20.5 | 21 | 21 | DNF (25) | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | 159.5 |
| 23 | LUX 734 | IND SF | RS700 | FRIEDERICH, Andre | DNS (25) | DNC 25 | 22 | DNC 25 | DNS 25 | 21 | 20 | DNS 25 | 163 |
| 24 | FRA 261 | IND F | RS1X | FAVRE, Thierry | DNC (25) | DNF 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | DNC 25 | 175 |
