Alinghi's Luc Dubois wins the Trophée Clairefontaine 2008 in Valencia

Alinghi Red, the yacht helmed by Luc Dubois and crewed by his Alinghi teammates Pierre-Yves Jorand and Yves Detrey, won the 2008 edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine that took place in Valencia over the weekend, right inside Port America's Cup.

The second and last day of the event took place under stronger conditions than Saturday, not only allowing the 8 crews to sail close and exciting races but also providing some thrilling moments when Claire Leroy's boat capsized. It was a typical Valencia day, sunny and breezy.

The unwritten law of the event that the winner is decided in the very last race was also respected today. Early in the morning Dubois was three points behind 7-time winner Luc Dubois. With three races scheduled for the day it was clear that nothing was clear and we would have to wait until the boats crossed the finish line for the last time.

After Sunday's second race, Loïck Peyron was still leading the table with 53 points, followed by Nicolas Charbonnier with 51 and Luc Dubois with 50. Unfortunately for them, both Frenchmen sailed the way they shouldn't have done. Dubois finished last (after the withdrawal of Leroy) and Charbonnier 5th. The 10 points awarded to the winner of each race were enough to crown Alinghi's Red crew champions of this year's event.

Pierre-Yves Jorand, Luc Dubois and Yves Detrey, winners of the 2008 Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

Claire Leroy's boat capsizes right inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

Claire Leroy's boat capsizes right inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

The fleet during the penultimate race of the 2008 Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

Happy faces aboard Alinghi Red as a few meters separate them from victory. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rounding one of the two buoys inside the basin. Valencia, 14 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Oprhanidis / Valencia Sailing

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

Spectacular Rhodia warm-up races at the Trophée Clairefontaine Valencia

One couldn't have asked for better conditions on the opening day of the Trophée Clairefontaine Valencia. The Rhodia warm up races got underway at 3pm right inside Port America's Cup with a very nice breeze that reached 10 knots and gave the dozens of spectators the opportunity to watch 8 very close races.

There is no doubt, wind allowing of course, that this race format can be very spectacular, especially considering the peculiar race course that includes a stretch and a buoy inside the canal, causing pileups and quite often a few penalties. Add the fact spectators can sit anywhere they like and be a mere 10 meters from the action and you surely have an attractive show. Organizers have made sure even absolute beginners can understand what's going on with live commentary

Being warm up races that don't count towards the trophy, today's results should be taken with a pinch of salt. Nevertheless, it appears it is going to be a battle between Loïck Peyron and the two Alinghi teams, Red and Black. The French sailor, 7-time winner of the Trophée Clairefontaine, ended the day at the top of the leaderboard with 64 points, with Alinghi Red and Black tied at 50 points. It's interesting to notice that all three team had two victories throughout the day but Peyron's consistency put him ahead of the America's Cup Defender crews. Both Ed Baird, helming the Black, and Luc Dubois, helming the Red, had finished last in one of the 8 races.

Frenchman Nicolas Charbonnier and Spaniard Fernando León won one race each.

Racing at earnest begins on Saturday with a 30-minute race in front of the Malvarosa beach. After a paella lunch (well, this is Valencia after all) in Valencia's yacht club the 8 teams will return to Port America's Cup in order to compete in 5 races.

Rhodia Warm-up results

1- Loïck Peyron 64 pts
2- Alinghi Red 50 pts
3- Alinghi Black 50 pts
4- Michel Desjoyeaux 37 pts
5- Nicolas Charbonnier 36 pts
6- Fernando León 36 pts
7- Jean-Pierre Dick 22 pts
8- Claire Leroy 17 pts

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Loïck Peyron, winner of the Rhodia warm-up races. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi Red and Jean-Pierre Dick. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Claire Leroy, women's match racing champion in 2007 and 2008, is the only all-female team. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mark roundings inside the canal can be spectacular but also accidental. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Michel Desjoyeaux, winner of the 2007 Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The only Spanish entry of the Trophée Clairefontaine with Fernando León, Kiko Sánchez Luna and Guillermo Altadill. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Alinghi Black crew, from left, Rodney Ardern, Pieter Nieuwenhuyzen and Ed Baird. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Spinnaker drop on Michel Desjoyeaux's boat. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Rhodia warm-up races of the Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 12 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First training session of the Trophée Clairefontaine

The 8 champions and their crews taking part in this year's edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine took possession of their boats and carried out their first test and training session, inside Port America's Cup Port in Valencia.

Wind conditions during the training session could be defined as acceptable. Throughout the morning, a constant and quite strong breeze was blowing throughout the America's Cup race course as well as inside Port America's Cup. Unfortunately, training started a little bit late, we suppose later than what was initially planned. The 8 boats docked out past 5:30pm and at that time the thermal breeze usually has already started to die down and there the was probably 6-7 knots of wind.

There is no doubt that racing will be spectacular once the breeze kicks in. One shouldn't forget that the race course is right inside the basin and yachts have to sail two legs (one upwind and one downwind) inside the canal, meaning that at times they get extremely close to its edges, as seen in the photos. Let's say, I could have almost grabbed Ed Baird's helm if I wanted!!

Friday will be another training day, this time an official one. Actual racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday and with the exception of a 30-minute race just off the Malvarosa beach, the action will be inside the America's Cup basin.

The 8 champions getting ready for their first training session. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird's "Alinghi Black" heads off to the race area passing in front of the BMW Oracle base. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The "Alinghi Red" boat, helmed by Luc Dubois. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Michel Desjoyeaux, famous French sailor and winner of last year's Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

French sailor Loïck Peyron sailing inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing downwind inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Nicolas Charbonnier and his crew during a gybe. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird, Rodney Ardern and Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen aboard Alinghi Black. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last but certainly not least in the grand scheme of things. Alinghi are using their "Le Black" 41ft catamaran in Valencia in order to experiment on multihulls. Unfortunately, given the distance it was impossible to distinguish who was on the yacht. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Trophée Clairefontaine has arrived in Valencia

The nineteenth edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine of Sailing Champions is being prepared here in Valencia, right inside Port America's Cup, home of 2007 America's Cup and more recently the F1 European Grand Prix. The Trophée Clairefontaine de Valencia will be raced on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September on this world-famous and natural nautical stadium. Eight great champions will be racing.

Two crews from Alinghi will welcome the six other champions on their nautical stadium, including Michel Desjoyeaux who won his fourth Trophée Clairefontaine last September. Michel Desjoyeaux is also invited for his victory in the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre.

The Alinghi Black crew is composed of the American Ed Baird, Alinghi's helmsman, New Zealander Rodney Ardern (mainsheet trimmer) and Dutchman Pieter Van Nieuwehuyzen (bowman) who were part of Alinghi during their two successful campaigns in 2003 and 2007. This trio is used to sailing catamarans especially on the Extreme 40 catamarans of the iShares Cup circuit where they have won the last tow rounds in Hyères (France) and Cowes (Great Britain).

The Swiss Alinghi Red crew is the crew who finished second of the 2007 Trophée Clairefontaine at La Trinité-sur-Mer (France): Luc Dubois at the helm, Pierre-Yves Jorand tactician and mainsheet trimmer and Yves Detrey bowman.

The Clairefontaine catamarans getting ready. Racing will take place right inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 9 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Frenchman Loïck Peyron, seven times winner of the Trophée Clairefontaine and third of the 2007 edition, only two points behind the Swiss from Team Alinghi, will also be part of this travel to Valencia which will celebrate the Papeteries de Clairefontaine (Clairefontaine Stationary) one hundred and fifty anniversary. Besides his outstanding record of achievements and his podium last year, Loïck Peyron is also invited to the Trophée Clairefontaine de Valencia thanks to his recent victory - the third one in a row! - on the England - United States course of the single-handed transatlantic race (Artemis Transat).

Fernando León, Tornado Olympic Gold medallist in Atlanta, will represent Spain with as crew men his fellow countrymen: Jordi Calafat, 470 Olympic Gold medallist in Barcelona and Alinghi member during the 2007 America's Cup, and Guillermo Altadill. Fernando León already participated to the Trophée Clairefontaine three times, twice as crew man of the double Gold medallist Theresa Zabell, Patron of this Trophée Clairefontaine de Valencia, and once as champion (1998 - 3rd).

The Frenchman Jean-Pierre Dick was part of the 2006 Trophée Clairefontaine after his double victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre. This year, he is invited after his recent victory in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed round-the-world race from Barcelona to Barcelona round the three capes.

The Frenchwoman Claire Leroy is invited for the first time to this event bringing together international sailing stars thanks to her Match Racing World and European titles, and her first position in the Women Match Racing World Ranking list (for two years now) and for her "2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year " title.

The Frenchman Nicolas Charbonnier, who has just won a Bronze medal in 470 in the the Beijing Olympic Games with his crew Olivier Bausset, is the eighth guest of this Spanish event. It is the first time that he joins this exclusive club composed of all the champions invited to the Trophée Clairefontaine of Sailing Champions.

Preparing the Clairefontaine catamarans. Racing will take place right inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 9 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing