On Saturday September 1st, first day of race for 10 participating nations with almost ideal summer conditions in the natural harbour of Cherbourg.
In spite of a good first round thrown launched at 10 am, the wind will have played on tricks to our competitors throughout the day that must make even finish the 6th and last round at the beginning of the evening.
The patience to our competitors while waiting for the arrival of a thermal breeze will have be needed to relaunch the in the afternoon. A patience to be maintained on the water and on the ground because the competitors navigate in rotation because only 13 boats competeat the same time. Crews stayed in the Village thus take advantage of it to rest and relax while waiting for sometimes several hours!
At the end of this first slice of the competition, a regularity without defect sees the first 3 crews of the temporary ranking very closed : first Spain ESP2, second France FRA2, the local team of the WUC (they come from Normandy and from Cherbourg for three of them), followed by the Australians of AUS2.
Concerning the Village, the voluntary students of the World championship organized a village square where we find during all the weekend numerous exhibitors: stands of sweetnesses or local products to be tasted, raising awareness to the protection of the oceans but also the association of Normandy games.
They said :
” This day was difficult because of this very unstable wind and of the very good level of the other competitors. The championship lasts several days this is why our objective was to start strong the race for the title ” Alberto Basadre Lopez, skipper of the crew ESP2, Spain. 1st at the temporary general ranking.
” We got organized well and propped up, that put us in confidence quickly but we do not have to loose any moment because it is a firmly packed fleet. You should miss nothing because otherwise we pay it cash! And with these changes of wind, the wait on the ground between two rotations was favorable to us ” Pierrick Letouzé, skipper of the crew FRA2, France. 2nd at temporary general ranking.