The Société Nautique de Genève’s prestigious annual regatta the Bol d’Or Mirabaud took place over the weekend of the 10 and 11 June in light airs that put the team onboard the Spindrift TF35 to the test.
Lake Geneva can surprise and challenge even the most capable sailors, and as skipper Yann Guichard put it: ‘concentration and patience were the order of the day’. After 19 hours, 17 minutes, and 47 seconds of racing, Spindrift finished 3rd in the TF35 class and 10th overall.
Guichard gave some insights at the finish: “We knew it was going to be a long race, but we didn’t think it was going to be this long! It was complicated, and we didn’t get off to a very good start, then we chased after our rivals. We finished 3rd in the TF35, which isn’t too bad, and 10th overall. It was difficult but that’s the beauty of this race, there are a lot of twists and turns. This year there was no wind from start to finish, so we really had to stay focused and that’s what we did right to the end. Once again, it was a great Bol d’Or.”
The Spindrift TF35 crew
- Yann Guichard – skipper
- Yann Jauvin – tactician
- Duncan Späth – mainsail trimmer
- Thibault Jullien – mainsail trimmer
- Pieter Tack – headsail trimmer
- Jules Bidegaray – bowman
Sports for Nature Framework showcased at the Bol d’Or Mirabaud
During the event the Sails of Change team worked with their partner, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Bol d’Or Mirabaud to showcase the ‘Sports for Nature Framework’ (link to the framework) at a roundtable event focussed on how sport can contribute to preserving nature.
In parallel, Spindrift for Schools worked with the Terres Saintes Sailing School in Coppet to raise awareness of the environment and biodiversity.
Before catching up with the Spindrift team at their next event – the Grand Prix de Nyon from 22 to 25 June! – come with us behind the scenes :
