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Competition: Trophy BPE 2007

Third victory of Nicolas Troussel, class Figao 2

Nicolas Troussel is the winner champion of the transatlantic race Trophy BPE, this years first competition for class 2.

Beneteau Figaro, Nicolas sailed the route from France, Belle Ile till Caribean island Maria Gallant nearby Guadelpour in 21 day, 9 hours, 11minutes and 45 seconds, with an average speed of 6,68 knots. Even more exciting, with the different routes of each competitor, making the overall race longer for several hundred miles, the first three participants reached the end with incredibly small differences. The results were under one hour and their approximate speed was only 0, 01 knot.

Not long after the beginning of the race, the weather condition on the Atlantic forced the competitors to choose between northern and southern route to arrive. Nicolas brave decision to take the longer and southern route until the archipelago Cape Verde was a perfect hit. During the race 4448 miles were sailed, which is 1000 miles longer from the usual direct route.

“I am very happy with the winning of this race, but believe me it was everything except easy to sail out of all drawn routes”. Until the very last mile I was not sure who from the three of us at the head, will win. We needed all our forces, remain cool, and take care of the bunaca that are usually present around archipelagos, and Thomas and Charles could pass me at any moment.”

This is the third victory for Nicolas in class Figao 2. Last year he won the first competition of the season, the Solitaire Afflelou le Figaou, 2004 year, Transat AG2R with his colleague Armel le Cleachom. What are interesting are all three races that Nicolas won was because he chooses the extreme routes. The return route during last years race, he sailed alone from a completely different side and won the advantage, which during the last 500 miles no other sailor could take away from him.

For the second winner Thomas Rouxel, former sailor from 420 and 470 class, this was his first race in Figaro 2 class and first time that he sailed the Atlantic ” I did not even dream that on my first rate I will have such good results. Together with Nic and Charles I choose the extreme south route from where there was no return back. Whatever others told us, it was more than a risky move. Luckily, for us it was all worth it.”

The third sailor reaching the end with less than 2 hours late, was Charles Caudrelier, the legend of one man sailing and owner of numerous cups among which is the ………….Solitaire cup.

The biggest surprise of the race is the fourth placed, Liy Wadrley first woman taking part at this race. The young British woman became famous as the bare footed bowgirl from the Amer Sports Too team during the ……….. last Volvo Ocean Race. This is her fourth year in this class and until now, the best achieved results. This is what she said, “obviously I am the best during long routes. I simply have enough time to enter the race, compete and live it through. All races with the Figarou were long ones, maximum one week. The longer the race the more time I have and possibilities for taking different decisions, the thing that makes me most happy.

Unfortunately, this years first race class Figao 2, because there was not enough financial support lost many excellent sailors had to abandon the race. Among them was Eric Drouglazet, winner of 2005 race, Jean Paul

Results:

1. Financo Nicolas Troussel 21 day, 9 hours, 11 minutes and 45 seconds

2. Defi M. Thomas Rouxel 21 day, 10 hours, 10 minutes and 19 seconds

3. Bostik Charles Caudrelier 21 day, 11 hours, 27 minutes and 40 seconds

4. Sojasun Liz Wardley 21 day, 21 hours, 31 minutes and 40 seconds