TF35 Les Voiles de Choisi Day 1: Exciting Highlights from the Sailing Competition
TF35 Les Voiles de Choisi Day 1
30 August – 1 September 2024
With two clean victories followed by a second and third on the first day of racing at Les Voiles de Choisi, skipper Jérôme Clerc and tactician Sébastien Col demonstrated why Realteam Sailing are two-time TF35 tour champions.
As is often the case on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, the day commenced slowly, with bright sunshine reflecting off the calm, windless water. At the skipper’s briefing, the crew appreciated the decision to stay ashore at the picturesque Villa Choisi, awaiting the filling of the thermal wind. At 1400, the call was made to proceed towards Nyon for a potential starting line, and a gentle 8 – 10 knot breeze arrived, permitting the sailing of four races.
In the TF35 high-performance one-design foiling catamarans, achieving clean, swift starts is crucial for positioning on the podium. In the first two races, Realteam secured the committee boat end of the line and, then on port tack, sailed further to the favored right, emerging ahead at the windward gate and leading to the finish. Tactician Sébastien Col explained, “Today was complicated tactically but not strategically. We knew it would go right, so we had to be even more precise on the lay lines, at the start and on the smaller details because they are more important on days with fewer strategic possibilities.”
In Race 3, however, Realteam had to duck under the starboard boat Ylliam 17 as the start horn sounded, catching them off guard amidst the fleet’s congestion. Holding their nerve longer toward the righthand lay line, Guy de Picciotto’s Zen TOO gained the inside track at the windward gate, ultimately achieving their first win of the regatta. Tactician Grégoire Siegwart reflected, “Today was a difficult day and a bit frustrating because we felt we weren’t sailing to our highest potential. We had some issues at the starts, complicating the races. But thankfully, we won a race, which is encouraging and keeps us in contention for the remainder of the regatta.”
As the entire fleet started on port and headed right in Race 4, the teams were tightly packed at the first gate. Duncan Späth’s young crew on Sails of Change 10 navigated ahead of Realteam Sailing. Downwind, teammates Sails of Change 8, helmed by Yann Guichard, showcased superior boat handling to take the win, while Späth’s team finished second and Realteam came in third.
At the end of Day 1, Realteam Sailing led the overall standings, with Sails of Change 8 in second after Guichard began the day with a fifth-place finish and improved through the races to clinch victory. Zen Too found themselves pleasantly surprised in third place. Siegwart commented, “We’re a bit surprised to be third tonight. I don’t think we should rest on our laurels. We can perform better and hope to prove that in the upcoming races.”
In the tightly contested fleet, just three points separated fourth to sixth place. After initially strong performances with results of 2, 3, and 5, Ylliam 17 suffered an OCS in Race 4, putting them in fourth place overall on countback, tied on points with Zen Too. Owner Julien Firmenich expressed satisfaction, saying, “We’re really pleased with our performance today. We had two very clean races, executed maneuvers well, and stayed competitive with the frontrunners. We avoided major mistakes and aimed for the win, which was rewarding.”
Similarly, Bertrand Demole’s Ylliam XII – Comptoir Immobilier started the day strongly with a third, fell to fifth in the second race, but rebounded with two fourth-place finishes to conclude the day in fifth overall, just ahead of Sails of Change 10 in sixth.
TF35 Les Voiles de Choisi Results after Day 1: (four races, 1 discard)
1. Realteam Sailing (SUI 7) – 1 1 2 3 – 4pts
2. Sails of Change 8 (SUI 8) – 5 2 3 1 – 6pts
3. ZEN Too (SUI 4) – 4 6 1 5 – 10pts
4. Ylliam 17 (SUI 17) – 2 3 5 6 – 10pts
5. Ylliam XII—Comptoir Immobilier (SUI 12) – 3 5 4 4 – 11pts
6. Sails of Change 10 (SUI 10) – 6 4 6 2 – 12pts
TF35 Trophy Overall Ranking 2024: (after three events)
1. Sails of Change 8 (SUI 8) – 1 2 1 – 4pts
2. Realteam Sailing (SUI 7) – 2 1 2 – 5pts
3. Ylliam XII—Comptoir Immobilier (SUI 12) – 3 5 3 – 11pts
4. ZEN Too (SUI 4) – 4 3 5 – 12pts
5. Sails of Change 10 (SUI 10) – 5 4 6 – 15pts
6. Ylliam 17 (SUI 17) – 6 6 4 – 16pts
Luca Moretti, an accomplished sailor and marine journalist from Genoa, Italy, has a lifelong passion for the sea that has defined his career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Genoa, Luca is celebrated for his vivid and insightful storytelling. His work captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime traditions of Europe, making him a well-respected voice in the sailing community. When he’s not writing, Luca can be found exploring the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and competing in regattas, always seeking new adventures on the open water.