Since the first event of the circuit in May and the resulting first place for Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard’s team has kept the pressure up for the whole season and has dominated the competition.
The helm of the black and gold catamaran Xavier Revil, one of the trusted sailors that form the Spindrift racing team, with his crew of five other sailors has completed the Championship ahead of the big names in the circuit – some 8 points ahead of Alinghi and 12 points ahead of Tilt, who take second and third places respectively. Well known for its tricky and shifting winds, Lake Geneva did not disappoint and delivered conditions for battles that were in turn tactical and technical kept the highly experienced teams on their toes.
This Championship victory is particularly sweet for the team as it represents the first time that it has claimed the top podium position since the team’s first participation in 2007, despite a number of podium finishes and winning the prestigious Bol d’Or three times.
© Chris Schmid / Spindrift racing
From left to right : Malo Bessec, Benjamin Amiot, Erwan Israel, Xavier Revil, Fred Moreau, Nicolas Débordès, Jacques Guichard.
Four first places out of eight Grand Prix Events
The Grand Prix de Cloture marks the end of a spectacular season on Lac Leman in which ten catamaran teams competed in the eight events.
The onwater battles on the Lake have been typically intense and the simplest of mistakes on the water can impact on the final team ranking. The six crew of Ladycat have been fully aware of these intricacies and have consistently shown good tactical decisions, pinpoint maneuvers and high levels of concentration. As a result the team claimed victory in four events this season: Emil Frey Grand Prix, the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva Grand Prix Realstone and the Bol d'Or Mirabaud.
Bol d'Or Mirabaud: 3rd title for the Spindrift Team
This season the D35 Trophy saw the 78th edition of the world’s largest regatta in enclosed water, the Mirabaud Bol d’Or. This event sees some 520 yachts of all sizes and classes participate and the Spindrift team managed a display of skill in a complicated race punctuated by many twists and turns. The tactician onboard, Erwan Israel played a decisive role at times making daring decisions that allowed the crew to lead out of testing transitions.
"It was a very busy season for Spindrift racing, we had to deal with very different wind conditions from light and fluky to strong wind at the end. We managed these well and were always able to be at the head of the fleet, whatever the conditions. My overall impression is very positive, we were fortunate to have a very strong and determined crew that all the time tried to recover positions when we were behind and, this makes a difference at the end of the season. We knew what to expect at between the marks on the longer legs and with our wins in the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva, the Bol d'Or Mirabaud and the full season - the team is very happy."
Dona Bertarelli, co-founder of Spindrift racing
"I am very happy and very proud. The Ladycat adventure began in 2007, and we are now in our 10th year, so to win the championship after 10 years gives me huge personal satisfaction. This season reflects real teamwork. When Yann and I started Spindrift racing in 2011, it was important to know that we had the right people and to put in place the right tools to be able to get results like this today, so we are very happy.
The whole team sailed a perfect season by staying at the top of the table throughout the Championship and I thank them warmly for bringing this victory to the Spindrift racing team. "
"Mirabaud warmly congratulates all crew of Ladycat powered by Spindrift for their sporting achievement. This is the first time they have won the Championship, and how! The crew has sent a benchmark in this very competitive championship, in particular winning the Bol d'Or Mirabaud. The sporting success pof Spindrift racing are just reward for the great human adventure that Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard have led, " comments Antonio Palma, Managing Partner of Mirabaud.
"The victory of Spindrift racing in the D35 Trophy emphasizes once more the excellence of this team and its co-founder and skipper Ms. Dona Bertarelli. Zenith is proud to partner with a team with which it shares so many values. The entire team at Zenith congratulates Spindrift for this wonderful new success! " Said Aldo Magada, President & CEO of Zenith.
D35 ranking on the Grand Prix de Clôture
1: Alinghi
2: Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing
3: Team Tilt
4: Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier
5: Realteam
6: Zen Too
7: Mobimo
8: Swisscom
9: Racing Django
10: Okalys
Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing ranking on the D35 Trophy
Grand Prix Emil Frey : 1st
Open de Versoix : 6th
Genève Rolle Genève : 1st
Grand Prix Realstone : 1st
Bol d’Or Mirabaud : 1st
Open de Crans : 2nd
Open du Yacht Club : 2nd
Grand Prix de Clôture : 2nd
The crew of Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing
Xavier Revil, helmsman
Erwan Israël, tactician
Jacques Guichard, headsail trimmer
Malo Bessec, bowman
Benjamin Amiot, mid-bow
Fred Moreau, mainsail
