Franck Cammas and his crew, Stève Ravussin (Sui.) and Tanguy Cariou, eventually snatched victory at the end of the ninth and last leg of this 20th Trophée Clairefontaine. . It is his third victory in this competition after his victories in 2000 and 2006. Michel Desjoyeaux finished second before Yann Eliès and Spanish Olympic medallist Fernando Echavarri who completed the podium.
Raced for the first time on La Grande Motte Sailing Stadium from September, 10th until September 13th, the 2009 Trophée Clairefontaine lived up to everybodyʼs expectations. The show was great thanks to a summer sun, a Force 2-3 breeze ideal for this kind of competition and eight famous sailing stars. No doubt, this nautical show is made for the Champions invited, but also for the crowd who came in number on La Grande Motteʼs seawall.
Franck Cammas was a notch better than his competitors, even if Michel Desjoyeaux and Nicolas Charbonnier did their best to attack as much as possible, either on the starting line, when rounding the buoy or even on straight line of pure speed. The naval battle was permanent, so permanent that Nicolas Charbonnier floored on the ninth and final regatta. Indeed, the French Olympic medallist capsized while taking advantage of a steady breeze. Franck Cammas won two legs: the first OPEN RACE and a RUN. The rest of the time he proved to be the most regular in front of the fleet. Michel Desjoyeaux also won two regattas: an OPEN RACE and a RUN, but finished twice sixth and once seventh. He had to satisfy himself with the second place on the podium. Nicolas Charbonnier won two Runs, but his capsizing in the last leg cost him his third place of the Trophée Clairefontaine, in favour of Yann Eliès. Spaniard Fernandoalso won two regattas – two Runs. But he was too irregular the rest of the Echavarri time to be a threat for the leaders. Pascal Bidégorry suffered in the light weather condition, which predominated during this 20th Trophée Clairefontaine. The more sustained breeze in the last Run allowed him to show what he is really capable of and won it.
Loïck Peyron never really entered the match, with only two second place as best
result. The septuble winner of the Trophée Clairefontaine finished the regattas in the port as he broke a piece of his one-design catamaran while making a mistake in a manoeuvre. He finished this twentieth edition with an unusual seventh place, in front of Boris Herrmann.
General RankingFernando Echavarri (Esp.), 48 pts (7,3,8,7, 4,2,1,1,5); 5- Nicolas Charbonnier, 47 pts (2,5,1,3,8,1,5,5,DNF); 6- Pascal Bidégorry, 37 pts (4,4,5,6,6,8,8,4,1); 7- Loïck Peyron (Fra.), 28 pts (6,6,3,5,5, 3,7,DNS,DNS); 8- Boris Herrmann (All.), 24 pts (8,8,7,8,3,7,3,7,6).
: 1- Franck Cammas, 60 pts (1,2,4,2,1,4,4,6,3); 2- Michel Desjoyeaux, 53 pts (3,1,2,1,7,6,6,3,4); 3- Yann Eliès, 50 pts (5,7,6,4,2,5,2,2,2) 4-