Blu Moon Wins Novembre a Hyeres
Fifty one boats from eight nations took part in four fantastic days of racing this weekend at the Novembre a Hyeres regatta incorporating the FFV One-Design Championship of France. After nine races in a range of conditions the Swiss Blu Moon team of Franco Rossini with helmsman Flavio Favini took the overall honours with the Antoine Frickey's Sogeti team from Monaco as the leading French boat.
The first five places of the classification reflect the strongly European character of the regatta (Swiss/Monaco/Italy/the U.K./France) and for the first time in recent history the Italian domination was less manifest, perhaps because of the absence of the crews of Joe Fly and Alina. We note with pleasure the arrival of new French boats in the class, whose performances are already very impressive.
For the organizing club, the COYCH, the Championship proceeded without any false moves, with a real professionalism, both ashore and afloat, with assured announcements on the VHF in French and English. The team is obviously ready for the Melges 24 World Championship 2006 next August. Certain boats made the decision to remain based in Hyères for the winter (Big Ship, TEAM Barbarians...) in order to take part in the training regattas which will be organized from here prior to the Worlds.