The 36th edition of the Catagolfe François GAUCHER Bijoutier Horloger de Vannes took place under excellent conditions this year, with 119 entrants setting sail in beautiful sunshine on Saturday, October 12th. A light but variable breeze greeted the fleets, pushing some to their limits. The Tornado class made a strong showing, with 7 French Tornados competing among the 20 boats in the C1 series, despite the tricky light wind conditions and a challenging rating system.
Saturday, October 12th:
The first race saw an ENE wind of 6-8 knots, which lightened significantly during the day. The Tornados, along with other boats, navigated a complex 17M course around the Île d’Arz and Île aux Moines. The fickle wind made for difficult racing, and the strong current added another layer of complexity to the day. Many teams found themselves fighting both the current and the light breeze, resulting in a tough but rewarding race day.
Sunday, October 13th:
Conditions improved slightly on Sunday, with a steadier 8-10 knot breeze inside the Gulf and 10-12 knots outside. The Tornados competed in two long races: a 24M raid out of the Gulf to the Méaban buoy, and a shorter second race around Île aux Moines (9M). The downwind start against the current was a nerve-wracking moment for all teams. The passage through Port Blanc was especially tight, with boats clumping together in low wind but heavy current. However, the Tornado crews navigated with skill, showcasing the power of the boat despite the light wind and strong current.
Overall Results for Tornado Class:
Despite the light winds and tricky conditions, the Tornado teams put up a strong fight. Notable performances include:
- 5th Place: Guillaume Dupont & Mathilde Blancho (GER 100) with a total of 21 points.
- 7th Place: Laurent Morisset & Olivier Malphettes (264) finishing with 22 points.
- 9th Place: Jean de Menou & Gael Fabry (171), coming in at 25 points.
- 10th Place: Nicolas Eudeline & Matthieu Guibert (279) with 34 points.
Despite the light wind not allowing the Tornado to unleash its full potential, the teams demonstrated great skill and persistence. The weekend was marked by tight starts, challenging currents, and a high level of competition. The Tornado class continues to show its strength in inter-series racing, and we look forward to seeing even more Tornado entries in 2025!
Congratulations to all the teams and see you next year for more exciting races!
Tornado Class Results:
- Dupont / Blancho – 5th, 21 points
- Morisset / Malphettes – 7th, 22 points
- De Menou / Fabry – 9th, 25 points
- Eudeline / Guibert – 10th, 34 points
- Gilson / Van Wassenhove – 13th, 38 points
- Monfort / Lepinard – 14th, 43 points
- Vrignault / Pillain – 16th, 48 points
Photos: Ronan du Cleuziou
