Loïck Peyron leads Torphée Clairefontaine after six races

Loïck Peyron, the French 7-time winner of the Trophée Clairefontaine, is leading this year's edition after 6 races, despite winning one race less than Alinghi Red's Luc Dubois. Similar to Friday's Rhodia Warm-up races, consistency paid off for the French. Still, a mere 3 points separate him from Luc Dubois and with 3 races scheduled for Sunday anything could happen.

The 8 crews raced one Raid and 5 Runs under clearly lighter conditions than yesterday but still offered the spectator crowds very close races, especially inside the basin. In the trophy's parlance, the Runs are the triangular races carried out right inside Port America's Cup while the Raid is a longer race lasting apporximately 30 minutes.

Overall standings after 6 races

1- Loïck Peyron (FRA), 44 pts (1,2,2,5,1,5)
2- Luc Dubois (Alinghi Red - SUI), 41 pts (6,6,1,1,4,1)
3- Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA), 33 pts (3,3,3,8,2,3)
4- Ed Baird (Alinghi Black - USA), 26 pts (2,5,8,3,5,6)
5- Fernando León (ESP), 26 pts (7,1,5,6,3,8)
6- Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA), 24 pts (4,4,4,7,7,4)
7- Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA), 23 pts (5,8,7,4,6,2)
8- Claire Leroy (FRA), 17 pts (8,7,6,2,8,7)

Valencia Yacht Base Raid
Today's Raid was a traditional windward/leeward fleet race with the addition of a gate in the middle of the course that all boats had to cross. It took place right in front of the Malvarosa beach, not far from were the America's Cup yachts used to race until last year. Unfortunately, conditions were significantly lighter than Friday and organizers had to wait half an hour before firing the starting gun but again the breeze never got over 4-5 knots.

Ed Baird initially led the race, followed by Loïck Peyron and Michel Desjoyeaux, but was unable to hold on to his lead. In the second upwind leg, Peyron was able to overtake Alinghi's helmsman, stay ahead and grab the first 10 points of the trophy. Baird finished second and Nicolas Charbonnier, the young French Olympic medalist, was third.

Start of Saturday's Raid. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird was leading at the first weather mark. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird was leading at the half-way gate in the first downwind leg. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi Black was still ahead of the fleet at the leeward mark. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Nicolas Charbonnier was 3rd at the leeward mark. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The start of the day was quite unpromising for Alinghi Red, 6th at the leeward mark. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the approach of the top mark Peyron grabs leadership. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Michel Desjoyeaux, defending champion, had a mediocre first day in the 2008 edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 13 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing