Velsheda has brocken Hanuman’s run of wins on the first day of racing in the Les Voiles de St Tropez
A sunny start to Les Voiles de St Tropez and a warm welcome to the J Class yachts: Shamrock V, Hanuman, Velsheda and Lionheart, this weeks contenders for the fourth and final head to head for 2013.
Rainbow is not part of the lineup due to her participation in the Monaco Yacht Show and the small logistical challenge to go from Show mode to Race mode in a day. Nor will we see the mighty Ranger.
Velsheda will be keen to continue her success from the Rolex Maxis in Porto Cervo but with Hanuman back in the mix, this week’s Rolex prize is fair game.
The first race was mainly a windward leeward course with an additional mark, both the start and finish off Pampelone Beach; conditions were light and shifty as the sea breeze fought to come through past an offshore mistral.
At the finish Velsheda rounded the bottom mark ahead and tacked, Hanuman followed and hardened up to lay the line before tacking to take line honours by seconds.
This is a win on corrected time for Velsheda, breaking Hanuman’s run of firsts this year from the St Barth’s Bucket through to the Superyacht Cup in Palma.