The abandonment of Sodebo Ultim'
Following the tearing off of their starboard aft float, Thomas Coville and Jean-Luc Nélias decided to abandon the Brest Atlantiques. A choice related to their safety and the integrity of the boat. On a technical stopover in Cape Town since November 21, the team's technical team carefully inspected the boat and discovered a lesion on the starboard foil, related to the impact with the OFNI.
It was therefore with bitterness, but as good sailors, that the two skippers made this decision, in agreement with Sodebo.
"We arrived at the dock yesterday in Cape Town after severe damage to the starboard float, which first ripped off our rudder and then the stern of the float. Before resuming the long ascent to finish the Brest Atlantic, we wanted to make sure that the boat was intact. Further investigation revealed that the starboard foil had also been impacted. This prevents us from continuing safely, in the performance worthy of the Atlantic Brest and what we have done so far. The race started strong, in very tough conditions for a new boat and we managed to do the whole hand-to-hand descent with the best. In Rio, after the stops of Macif and Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, we took the lead. The whole race was going well until the violent shock that disabled us. Over a first year and a first race, we learned a lot. It was a very exciting race, but it deserved to be a great race. It is a great frustration to have to give up. We will crew the boat back for safety reasons and to keep the program going. We are building something big with these boats and this is only the beginning. Good luck to all those who continue."
© Eloi Stichelbaut / Team Sodebo
Delphine Cousin and Pierre Mortefon world champions
The final leg of the PWA World Tour was held this week in Nouméa, New Caledonia. The slalom event was intense and took place in ideal conditions. The women's podium is 100% tricolour. Delphine Cousin Questel won her 4th world title, ahead of her compatriots Marion Mortefon and Maëlle Guilbault. In the men's race, Pierre Mortefon fought a fierce battle with Italian Matteo Iachino before winning the event. Antoine Albeau, the man with 25 world championship titles and funboard legend, completes the podium.
A St-Barth Cata Cup with suspense
This Sunday, November 24th was the fourth and last day of competition of the St. Barth Cata Cup. Four boats were eligible for victory after the last two races. At the end of the 7th and last race, it is the duo Jean-Christophe Mourniac and Antoine Rucard who wins the race. The first one takes the opportunity to improve his score in the 2010 edition, on which he finished 3rd in duet with Christopher Jonsson.
