Dragon Sailors' Success

 

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the Yacht Club de Cannes and as part of their celebrations, the Yacht Club de France invited all their affiliated clubs to the Defi ( a challenge) in International Dragons. Thirteen clubs from all the French Coasts attended as well as visitors from the Yacht Club de Monaco, Yacht Club d' Italie and the Royal Thames, represented by Mike and Monique Hayles..

After the draw for boats, the weekend started in fine style with a cocktail party given by the Mayor of Cannes in Jean Gabriel Domergue's grand studio high above the city where we were able to view some of his magnificent nude paintings whist supping champagne.

The racing started on Saturday afternoon after the usual Mediterranean delay for the wind to arrive. Two races were sailed in the Bay of Napoleon in an ideal Force 2 to 3 and at the end of the day the first three clubs, YC Cannes, YC France and the Royal Thames were well clear of the fleet with the Royal Thames just in the lead.

Going afloat on Sunday morning after a dinner in the Club on Saturday night the wind was still in the south so we were still able to sail in the Bay of Napoleon.  YC Cannes won the first race with the Royal Thames down in fourth place ensuring the last race was a battle for second overall. In the increasing wind YC Cannes continued her form with a second place with CN Marine Toulon winning. The Royal Thames held on to second overall equal on point with the YC de France but with a first place in the second race.

The other visiting Clubs certainly enjoyed the weekend sailing the Dragons of the YC Cannes whose members should be thanked for lending their boats for the event but it was appropriate that the Yacht Club de Cannes represented by their President Jean Claude Montesinos should have won the Defi.