A fresh start and confidence booster
After 4 days of racing at the Bay of Palma on the Spanish Balearic Island of Majorca, the GC32 Racing Tour competition, which saw several races cancelled by the race management due to unpredictable weather, came to an end yesterday. Sébastien Rogues and Team ENGIE finished in 8th place after a somewhat complicated event. On the provisional circuit standings, Team ENGIE lies 7th overall and is just 5 points away from a top 5 position. The fourth round will take place in Sotogrande (Spain) in late September and will be a chance for Team ENGIE to make up the ground they need to cover to reach the top 5.
The GC32 fleet were unable to complete the full race schedule of 22 races in their first participation at the Copa del Rey MAPFRE. Over their final races, Sébastien Rogues and Team ENGIE finished in eighth place and did not manage to get into their stride. This poor performance could be explained by the fact that François Verdier had to step in for Christophe Carbonnières on the main, as Christophe was suffering from back injuries. Racing on the GC32 requires peak physical condition as it is very complex. François Verdier only recently joined the GC32 so this is an opportunity for him to learn, get his bearings and ramp up on the racing. This competition is ruthless and there is no room for mistakes.
“The arrival of François Verdier on board is good. He has valuable experience in Match Racing but it took us some time to find the right rhythm. With just the 9 races in Malcesine and 12 in Palma, we have not had the means to try and gain points. It is imperative that we take wins to move up the leaderboard. We are sailing below our capabilities. Sailing in Palma was stunning. The conditions were pretty good overall, but rough seas forced us to race in a different way. I really want to thank the Yacht Club organisers who gave us a wonderful welcome, especially for the opportunity to sail with the other classes. This event is one of the largest regattas in the world and I am proud that ENGIE could take part,” commented Sébastien after racing.
The next event for Team ENGIE will take place in Sotogrande in Spain. This is an opportunity for Sébastien Rogues and his team to make their mark with the team and move up in the rankings. The event will be held from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th September with a full racing schedule programme, thus giving the team the opportunity to gain valuable points.
“For the next step in Sotogrande we have a coach who should bring us an outside view, which is important for us in order to evaluate how best to improve. I’m really looking forward to it. We will be on site sooner than usual allowing us to prepare better for the racing,” conclued Sébastien.
Overall standings for the 35th Copa del Rey
1 – Norauto, 33 points
2 – Armin Strom Sailing Team, 40 points
3 – Team Tilt, 41 points
4 – Malizia Yacht Club de Monaco, 53 points
5 – Argo, 57 points
6 – Mamma Aiuto, 79 points
7 – Realteam, 80 points
8 – Team Engie, 94 points
9 – Orange Racing, 95 points
10 – Sailing Gunvor, 95 points
GC32 Racing Tour overall standings (after 3 events)
1 – Norauto, 4 points
2 – Team Tilt, 6 points
3 – Armin Strom Sailing Team, 11 points
4 – Argo, 16 points
5 – Sailing Gunvor, 16 points
6 – Malizia Yacht Club de Monaco, 17 points
7 – Team Engie, 21 points
8 – Mamma Aiuto, 23 points
9 – Realteam, 26 points
10 – Spindrift racing, 28 points
11 – Orange Racing, 29 points
SPOTLIGHT ON THE GC32
The GC32 is a 32-foot, or just under 10-metre long catamaran that is able to “take off” the water in just 8 knots of wind (Force 2). This small technological marvel is capable of reaching amazing speeds on the water. Helming, which is both very technical and physically demanding, requires full team participation.
SÉBASTIEN ROGUES – CV
At almost 30 years old, Sébastien, from La Baule and a member of the La Baule Yacht Club, already has a great track record, with top podiums spots and victories over the years in the mini 6.50 and Class40.
2015
– 5th Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour (crew – GC32)
– 4th Marseille One Design (crew – GC32)
– 5th Trofeo di Roma Cup (crew – GC32)
– 4th Kiel Cup (crew – GC32)
– 21st Tour de France Sailing Race (crewed – Diam 24)
– 4th Cowes Cup (crew – GC32)
– 4th Grand Prix of Austria (crew – GC32)
– 10th Grand Prix of the Ecole Navale de Brest (crew – Diam 24)
– 20th Atlantic Grand Prix (crew – Diam 24)
– 7th Spi Ouest-France (crew – Diam 24)
– 7th Martinique Cata Raid (double handed with Matthew Souben – F18 catamaran)
