ISTANBUL EUROPA RACE - Back in Barcelona

Istanbul Europa Race
Back in Barcelona

First Nice, and now Barcelona...The Istanbul Europa Race competitors are back in the Catalan Port, home to the 2007/08 Barcelona World Race for this last stopover in the Mediterranean.
Following a slow first leg, the second leg went exactly to plan: short and intense, with a new winner and above all, suspense guaranteed all the way to the finish in Brest.
For now though, the competitors are enjoying themselves in a city resolutely geared towards the Sea.
 
Imoca has once again proven how consistent its line-up is. After this second leg, three of the competitors are tied for first place. Kito De Pavant and his crew were intent on proving that Groupe Bel is definitely a winner and they did it with style. Speed and intelligent sailing were enough to make their cow really double up with laughter at last.
Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia) finished second and Guillermo Altadill (1876) came in third.
A fierce struggle was going on behind them between Veolia Environnement and Paprec-Virbac 2. Roland Jourdain and his crew can certainly be proud of their fourth place. Even though his boat is slightly older, she can still match those of the latest generation... albeit with a top level crew.
In fact DCNS is the only one suffering from lack of speed in light winds. Stuck with no wind, they finally crossed the finish line fifteen hours after the winner. No doubt Marc Thiercelin and his crew are looking forward to competing with the others in stronger conditions.

Here in Barcelona Port Vell has pulled out all the stops to welcome the Imoca fleet.
Istanbul, Nice, Barcelona, the Mediterranean is gradually revealing its charm as it demonstrates its deep maritime culture.
Since the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona has chosen to develop the maritime side of the city, thus providing the event with a technical zone for the crews, in the heart of the city, with its practical, modern facilities and its conviviality making this stopover a real success.

Let's not forget the previous hosts of Istanbul though. Tragically the city is now suffering from terrible floods. No doubt the Imoca Class and the skippers will fondly recall the Turkish hospitality and be keen to sympathise with the victims of the flooding.