8:57 AM Sat 12 Sep 2009 GMT
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'Francisco Lobato sur son Pogo 2 - DR - The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50'
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There will be 49 series boats to leave for The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6,50 on Sunday. With forty-nine sailors from eleven different nationalities, which transatlantic can claim to be as international?
If the majority are French of course - 30 - the Italians come second with six citizens. There are then two Spanish, two English, two Australians, two Germans and finally a Portuguese skipper, a New Zealander, one Swiss, a Dutchman and a South African ... and only two women among 47 men.
Question! What is the common point between the 2003, 2005 and 2007 The Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 production boat? Answer! Whenever a Pogo 2 was victorious. Since the launch year, the Pogo 2 trusted the first steps of the podium... And this year, they still seemed in a perfect shape to reach the victory when, in 2008, Pierre Rolland has arrived in the circuit with the D2, designed by himself. And suddenly, the horizon started to be vague for the Pogo 2.
For Pierre Rolland (D2 Mar?e Haute) is a serious business. Outstanding sailor, talented naval architect, he lines up for the fifth time.
However, the guy knows the sea and is never too confident. He confesses: 'My mini has positive aspects as I hoped. However, it is better than I thought in certain conditions and it has some weaknesses... That I will not reveal, of course.'
Everyone has been noticing that D2 as fast with low wind. Very fast. Faster than his competitors but Pierre Rolland moderates: 'There are 30 Pogo 2 to start and I'm alone. However, it is a big part of the success to win such a long race. You win it thanks to good options and choices. And this time, with 30 other, there will be many of them that will find a good path.'
He could also be the one, but Pierre is no prognosis, and only says: 'The favourite is the Portuguese Francisco Lobato. To prevail in a Transat, you need the sailor and the boat. And some involved in the race are sailors, but do not go fast. Others go faster, but are not sailors. Francisco is a sailor and he is fast. Moreover, he does not spend his whole time at the VHF. Except from bad luck or bad options, he will be very, very difficult to beat.'
Lobato (Roff TMN), which, however, is low profile. He remembers his misadventures in 2007: 'I was not disciplined. I thought only about being fast. I broke the rudder, the helm, the electronic has toasted; I had to climb three times up the flagpole. It was tough.'
Yet in Bahia, the Portuguese (24 years only) was 9th. Morality Today, he admits: 'I am much wiser. My approach is very different. I won fewer races before this edition than in 2007. I'm less stressed. I do not come to be 9th or 10th for sure, but Pierre Rolland has nothing to learn from us.'
Same story with S?bastien Rogues (?ole Generation - GDF SUEZ), the youngster who ascends, but remains friendly to Rolland: 'His boat is more extreme than a Pogo 2, but has also more temperament. She will be better at some times, but not always, especially downwind. I think Pogo has a few good years before him. Then there is the sailor and Pierre has a definite advantage. We will know if the youth would prevail over experience. This will be a big fight.'
Even more interesting...
Fabien Sellier (Surfrider Foundation) is even more categorical: 'There's the boat, it's true, but it is mostly about the sailor. At Les Sables-Azores, Pierre made a great demonstration. He will play the spoilers on this race, obviously. I just hope that I will be playing with him.'
Antoine Debled (RegionsJob.com) is delighted when he mentions the 'old': 'For his contributions to the Classe Mini, I wish him the best. He comes with a new boat; it is an opportunity for us all. Downwind, she has a small deficit, but I know Pierre has worked on the sails. A legend that he will not look go by the eye smug with admiration: 'I leave with a lot of hope but you have to let the sea her job too. It must be in harmony.'
A harmony that Davy Beaudart (Port ? Sec - Guy Beaudart) seems to have found 'I passed everything that could be passed. I know myself. I have tremendous confidence in my boat. 'The only cloud over my head is the presence of Pierre Rolland:' He will come and tickle. He has everything needed to compete with the Pogo 2. This will make the race more interesting. '
Given all the compliments about him, Pierre says:' To win you already have to finish.'
Nobody disagree with him.
Production boats records:
La Charente-Maritime - Funchal: 6 days 10 hours 18 minutes 08 seconds by St?phane Le Diraison in 2007
Funchal - Bahia: 19 days 14 hours 39 min. by Herv? Piveteau in 2007
La Charente - Maritime / Bahia: 26 days 04 h 31 min 17 sec - race 's best - by Herv? Piveteau in 2007.
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by Event Media
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Frederick Reef, QLD
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