Last week, we had 2014 French long distance championship in Almanarre from  October 22nd to 25th.

105 racers where there to fight against famous Mistral wind. Day 1 was THE day with gusty and choppy conditions: 30 to 45 Knots with gusts up to … 58 knots. No wail will fit this conditions; sometimes 6,3 would have been fine while 3,7 storm sail would be ok 500 meters away… Thus not simple to make a good choice. Since I was trying to work in eco-mode due to an abdominal hernia… after some unsureness, questioning myself on legitimacy of going on the water I plan to make a trial with 5,1 TR5 borrowed to my teammate Xavier Joly. In the hand after some trials, we manage to make 3 full races. Biggest challenge was to stay on the board and to keep board on the water (I saw one board “flying” without his pilot on 50 meters long…)  and to manage going into his jibe...

In the end after 3 races, I’m 15 overall and 2nd in Master fleet extracted from the whole fleet. TR5 is still not that bad, very stable with enough power to go thru 35 knots hole and stay on the board in the gusts...

Day 2 has shown nice trials in 8,4 TRX but with too much inconsistency to be able to race. Relaxing day with 10/13 knots without pressure.

Day 3 and Day 4 were nearly day off without enough wind to validate any race.

So vice French champion  in master is not that position knowing first position is overall winner hooked by Bieuzy Mauffret that is a former pro who did compete on PWA World tour for a while.

Fabien Courtiade