Les Sables-d'Olonne hosted Act 5 of the Tour de France à la Voile from July 14 to 15, 2015. The coastal raid, which took place on Tuesday, July 14, led the Diam 24s to Bourgenay, for a 23-mile course. And it was Groupama, led by Franck Cammas, who won this first course after 3 hours and 17 minutes of racing.
A coastal raid that reinforces Groupama's position as leader
This is the third leg that France's most successful sailor has competed in and the first that he has won. The crew of Diam vert has thus consolidated its first place in the general standings. This victory allows him to regain his distance from his competitors.
Combiwest takes over the 2 e place, three minutes behind Groupama and is in the same position overall. Vannes Agglo-Golfe du Morbihan takes the last place of the podium and is ranked 5 e to the general.
As for Spindrift, Groupama's main competitor, it was punished for refusing to give way and was sinking towards Bourgenay in 18 e position. After a big gybing battle and some judicious choices, the black boat managed to catch up with its competitors to finish in 7th place e place. The team thus keeps its 2 e place in the general ranking.
CombiWest goes up on Groupama in the water stadium
On July 15, CombiWest signs its 2nd consecutive year in the nautical stadium regatta e victory. He took first place on the podium ahead of Groupama and Prince de Bretagne.
Great day, we are delighted! Everything went well, we were in the game all the time; even when we took average starts, we knew how to get back into the game. In the final, to be second and first is excellent. Passing so close to the spectators in the middle of the boats that are sailing is really nice, but you have to be careful, because our boats are going fast. We're starting to be well positioned to look around. Taking a point from Groupama is always better than losing one, but we have to admit that they are quite far ahead. We're not counting too much, we're trying to sail well, make few mistakes, and continue to make progress on everything we can, to stay in the game. We're a small team, with four sailors, and every time there's a replacement, we're still going strong: we managed to win in Pornichet with Fred (Guilmin) on board, and with Louis (Clayessens) here, the configurations are working well
explained Damien Iehl, CombiWest's helmsman).
With this success, the second in the general ranking reduces slightly his deficit on Franck Cammas and his Diam vert. The latter has 441 points from nine valid races and a 16 point lead over CombiWest.
The aim is not to get into bad places or fall into traps," smiled Franck Cammas. It was a complicated day, on a complicated course, short and with things to avoid along the beach. The aim is to be in the top five in each round, that's how you win the Tour
said the Groupama sailor on his return.
Spindrift was disqualified from the 2 e final of the Gold Group and finished 9 e of the nautical stadium. He is still losing ground on his main opponent. However, he remains on the 3 e step of the overall podium, but is 29 points behind Groupama.
