Three non-scoring media day races were held today in a healthy 12 to 15 knot breeze, under overcast skies and on a treadmill-like Solent. The strength of tidal currents never cease to amaze the non-local sailors. The first regatta of the day saw the boats stretch their legs towards the Western Solent, and the two Oman Sail crews put on a real show, battling it out at the front and leaving the fleet behind. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild missed the first mark despite a great start, and The Wave Muscat ened up taking line honours in front of Renaissance and Ecover. Mike’s Golding troops had a great day, posting a second place behind Groupama 40 in the second race and winning the last competition of the afternoon! In short, Ecover never left the podium today, quite a feat in that fleet. Roland Jourdain, the “rookie” on Veolia Environnement, was off to a flying start in race 3, leading the fleet under gennaker, and managed to leave 3 boats in his wake. Team GAC Pindar also seemed on good form (postinga 4th and a 5th), but it was blatant that Franck Cammas is going to tackle this event with victory in mind: sharp, fast and showing no sign of hesitation, the Groupama 40 crew seemed at ease on the Solent… But of course, overall leader Yann Guichard, who posted 2 third places today, is never far away and when things kick off officially tomorrow it’s safe to assume he’ll be back at the front.

Programme of events for Saturday July 31
10am Long distance race starting from RYS and finishing off Calshot
Planned from 12.00 – Moth demonstrations
3.00pm First Extreme 40 start off Egypt Point
5.30pm Daily public prizegiving
7.00 to 11.00pm The Bees Sound System Free entry

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