Newsletter N°5

Just barely arrived, via the Atlantic Ocean, the Açores and Ireland (Newsletter N_4), Catasailing.com prepares for another important mission. Neptune's Car is commissioned to accompany the famous race "Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro". In June, the old but fast and furious Ferrari had to meet with the greatest specialists in communication at sea. Therefore she had to be equipped†: 6 antennas, 3 VHF, 3 satellite phones, 3 computers, 2† Argos beakons. The catamaran was ready to receive James Bond in person...

In June, July and September some Company Incentive Actions were organised (a few of these together with the Pabouks Pirata Club of Jacques Caraes) and have contributed to the animation of the Aber waterfront. Companies were happy and satisfied to have entrusted their communication and image for a day to the Neptune's Car Team who with help of Eole and the sun have made it to a succes.
The same happy faces during the journey at Concarneau together with the handicapped youngsters of the IEM Mathieu Donnart institute.

At the end of July Neptune's car arrives at Cherbourg and finds a city under siege... Like in a military camp there is a Central Offiice for sea and ashore activities, medical center, French National Navy, television, radio, journalists, security officers, even the Feds are there...! Natural disaster? Armed conflict? Crisis management? No, none of all that... It is Claire de Crepy and her team who are there to organise the kick off of the Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro 37th edition. Ashore, the ballet of official ceremonies and meetings is continuous. The whole forestage of the event is closed by a reception which could compete with a White House event... great quality!
On August 5, the starting shot is given. All competitors race direction Santander, St Gilles, Dingle and Concarneau. During 3 consecutive weeks, 44 young sharks will fight day and night for that extra Mile which ultimately will make the difference.

Gildas Morvan, originary from the Abers, racing on Cercle Vert, wins the first leg, just a a breath before the second.

The 2nd leg we accompany the fleet towards the East, the wind is falling. Via the satellite we receive the last positions of the competitors. So it seems that 2 racers have decided to take a more Western route and benefit there from stronger winds. Directly we go on location and witness the greatest hold-up in history of the Solitary. The day after when we joign Nicolas Troussel leeward of Belle-Ile the story is finished.

After a short stay in St Gilles, we sail up to Ireland in very wet conditions (more than 500NM close hauled...). Arriving in Dingle bay, Jeanne Gregoire seems to have won this time, just followed by Liz Wardley.... Wind shifts just 5NM before the finishing line and enable most ships to recuperate backfall... finally Gerard Veniard wins the leg with 2 boatlengths.

After having tasted the local beers, the fleet starts in strong North Westerly winds. Having started after all competitors, Catasailing.com has to make great efforts to sail up to the first of the race. The average speed hoovers around 15 knots. On Neptune's Car at some point a surf of 24 knots is registered on the GPS. Magical journey till Ouessant where, unfortunately, the winds leave us.
Gerald Veniart, who really seems to be the specialist of light winds, wins again...

In the overall classification Nicolas Troussel comes out as first, at large. Bravo!
Also the "Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro" team should warmly be congratulated for its impeccable organization.
All our thanks to those who have spent time with Catasailing.com and particularly to Christian, director of the race.

In the press Catasailing.com has been featured and been published on the cover of Wind Mag of August. Multicoques Magasine publishes an exciting article on sailing with us in the Grenadines...

Times goes fast, autumn has announced itself and the treeleaves start reddening... Catasailing.com has to start thinking about leaving Europe again. After the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde (where an appointment has been organized with Antonio Pedro da Cruz), we set sail to the Carribean and prepare for new adventures..