53rd WMC Sailing - Brest (FRA) - Day 4

sailing

France will face Poland in the final of the 53rd WMC Sailing!

BREST (FRA) – 16 matches, 16 victories, that's the French team's flawless record at the World Military Sailing Championship. Petty Officer 1st Class Jean-Baptiste Bernarz and his crew, composed of Petty Officer Marie Riou, Petty Officer Vincent Guillarm, Private (Army) Pierre Laouénan and Captain (Air Force) Caroline Vandame, shone again today in the semifinals by eliminating the Spaniards. "We were under pressure because we didn't sail yesterday while the others continued to train," explained the helmsman. Indeed, the French did not have to compete in the quarter finals. This "day off", offered to the first qualified crew, allows them to rest but it sometimes benefits the competition who spends more time on board and gains experience.

WMC Sailing Brest 03 June (140)

Tomorrow, in the final, the French will meet a Polish crew in full ascension. After a chaotic first day (2 wins, 4 losses), the Poles keep progressing on the J80. Today, they came to the end of the Greeks, long time favorites, by four wins to two. The Polish crew has no reason to be ashamed of the French as it includes a double European Laser champion - Macifj Grabowski - as well as a double 470 world champion, Private 1st Class Jolanta Ogar. "The qualifiers allowed them to sort out a lot of things on board and they sailed well. Tomorrow, they will have to make as few mistakes as possible," summarized Ensign 1st Class Pierre-Alexis Ponsot, coach and head of the French delegation.

WMC Sailing Brest 03 June (108)

Because in match racing, the rankings are reset at each phase of the game. The French are therefore attacking the finals with zero points, like their opponents. The first to accumulate four victories will be the new world champion.

Spain and Greece play for third place

The third place of the podium will be played between Spain and Greece who will play their Small Final tomorrow. The places 5 to 7 are already attributed to the USA, Denmark and Canada. The Americans thus win the baroque title of "King of Castle".

WMC Sailing Brest 03 June (61)

Lieutenant Renaud Corbay, in charge of the nautical part, was very satisfied at the end of this day of competition: "We are very happy with the progress of this world championship. We have been working on it for more than a year and we were up to the challenge. On the water, we are lucky to have a world-class team. Christophe Gaumont, President of the Race Committee, works on the biggest world events and the judges are of the same level. We have a level of management that is the envy of many.

He also added: "The sporting process is irreproachable and unanimously appreciated by the teams. In terms of hospitality, we have also lived up to our reputation because friendliness and exchange are at the heart of the event. The slogan of these world championships is "Friendship through Sport" and this has been our cornerstone."