In the first round on Friday, the English capsized in training just before the start of the regattas. The French have also made a great frayeur?! They came close to capsizing in an oversold on the reaching edge.
"It was very complicated, because the wind was really very variable in direction and intensity. It can be said that the conditions were extreme on such a small course. You had to be very responsive and be able to hold your boat." explains Billy Besson.
Nevertheless, this first day was encouraging for the French team with a first podium finish and a 4th place at 1 point from the Chinese.
The next day, all teams experienced ups and downs on multihulls whose flight stability was more than precarious in the sudden over-sales caused by the presence of the large buildings in New York and Jersey City. The Japanese and Australian teams - as usual - dominated the rest of the fleet, sharing almost all the victories.
The French had difficulty finding their place on this technically challenging stretch of water. Despite some good starts and a podium finish, Billy Besson and his crew finished this penultimate act again with a 5th place.
"We had an interesting first day (a 3rd round)", comments coach Franck Citeau, "that we finish in a position that could give us hope to play on the podium the next day. But we missed this opportunity today. We feel that we have the opportunity, the potential to do beautiful things. We will now debrief and ask ourselves the right questions."
"Personally I'm disappointed, because I expected to do better, it's the life of the athlete, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and it's part of the game it's like that. We have to focus on staying a little more on our missions on board and we'll get there." adds Billy Besson.
