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Foncia, with Alain Gautier and Michel Desjoyeaux, both winners of the single-handed Solitaire du Figaro and the Vendée Globe, finished first of the 2009 event, ahead of Smart Home, Okalys-Corum and Julius Baer. This 2009 Bol d’or Mirabaud, one of the longest race in its history due to the lack of wind, turned out to be full of surprises as a large number of ocean stars tried to win this famous trophy. In changing conditions, Taillevent II finished first in the monohull class after a 25 hours race and was therefore the winner of the Bol de Vermeil, closely ahead of Syz & Co and Oyster Funds. 549 boats took part in this event, but only 64 boats finished the race before closing today at 4pm.
For Alain Gautier, taking part for the fourth time in the Bol d’Or Mirabaud aboard Foncia, this edition has a particular flavour: „This victory is special! The Bol d’Or is an unbelievable race, it has intensity, tension and constitutes a real show on the water. Despite a modest start, the French skipper rounded the Bouveret mark behind the leaders before working skilfully his way to the front of the fleet on the home run. For Michel Desjoyeaux, the recent winner of the Vendée Globe, this was his second participation.
The lack of wind conditions did not smile upon other stars at the Bol d’Or Mirabaud presented by Girard-Perregaux. Ernestos Bertarelli’s Alinghi finished 6th, while Pascal Bidégorry on Banque Populaire, closed 5th, despite a long lead during the early part of the race. Nicolas Grange’s Okalys-Corum, which won the race in 2005 and 2007, finished in 3rd this time, despite some wonderful moments. This Decision 35 was skippered by another ocean strategist, Loïck Peyron.
Full report in German in the summer issue of Skippers.
All results on www.boldormirabaud.com.
Copyright picture: Loris Von Siebenthal