The 4th edition of La Drheam-Cup – Grand Prix de France de Course au Large, the now classic summer offshore racing event, celebrated 14 wonderful winners. Remaining loyal to its motto competition-sharing-celebration, the race celebrated the sailors on Sunday during the prizegiving ceremony. Results of the recent successful edition.
A sporting success
Strong growth in the number of participants, racing at all levels, a challenging course and variable weather… All the ingredients in this edition of the Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large came together to form a competition worthy of the greatest races.
“Success depends on several factors: first, event staff that works with passion! Also, partners’ and sailors’ loyalty. It is a great satisfaction to see their trust in us when they return time after time. We have also managed to attract new competitors, with increasing numbers of international competitors” explains Jacques Civilise, creator and organiser of the event.
In addition to the numbers present, the level was exceptional. “In all categories, the competition was fantastic” he adds. The sailors say it best: Sam Goodchild, the great winner in the Ocean Fifty class, recounted the intensity of the race as he arrived in La Trinité-Sur-Mer: “What a race with Seb (Rogues), and Erwan (Le Roux)! we each had our little moment ahead, but fortunately I was there at the end. What is certain is that I didn’t drop the ball. I am proud of myself and what I achieved. Even in a leg of a Figaro race I never went so far… I never slept so little.”
In Class40, the largest category with 34 participants on the starting line, we had to wait the last few miles of the race to discover the podium. Absolute suspense! All the sailors have saluted the beauty of the race. Catherine Chabaud, winner of this edition in Rhum Mono on Formatives Network described the beauty of this race – that her husband Jean-Marie Patier won in 2020 on the same boat – as she arrived with red eyes in the middle of the night: “It is a privilege to be able to take part in this superb race. I think this race and this boat brings Jean-Marie and me good luck!” Beautiful stories are unfolding in the Dream Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large.
The enthusiasm of participants is transmitted to the host ports: “The development of the event would be impossible without the support of the Chantereyne and La Trinité-sur-Mer ports, who, in high tourist season, reorganise their marinas to welcome increasing numbers of competitors. Their enthusiasm for the race and their involvement at our sides is very precious. We also wish to thank the Yacht-Club de Cherbourg, the race’s support club and Organising Sporting Authority, an essential connection in the organisation of the race, adds Jacques Civilise.
Sporting results by category HERE
A clever mix
Mixing amateurs and professionals is key to the success of the Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large. Basile Bourgnon (Edenred), Winner of the race on Figaro 3, explains on his arrival: “It was great to see the Figaro 3s with other boats, we are used to race only against each other.” Different worlds also share in the event thanks to the Rêves de Large operation, which was renewed in this 4th edition after a 2020 edition without. It enabled 24 young people from 10 to 15 years to discover and sail on Class40 during the DRHEAM-TROPHY, a twenty-mile prologue along the Cotentin coast.
This initiative testifies to the organiser’s wish to connect, share emotions, explore and enable young people to dare to dream, just like renowned sailors.
At the heart of the competition, sharing also happens between generations, as we can see with the participation of Gildas Morvan and his son, Paul, sailing double-handed in Figaro 3.
Popular festivities
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the race village organised free events during five days:
shows, concerts and outings at sea, in a festive, friendly and seaside atmosphere. The huge firework display lit up the fleet, flying its many flags. It attracted thousands of people. “The city involved its events department to organise this wonderful happening that enabled many people to discover our race, boats and sailors. The start,
the real climax of this great celebration, attracted a crowd who came to applaud sailors as they left the port”, adds Jacques Civilise. In La Trinité-sur-Mer, the public walks through the village and on the Caradec pier, their eyes focused on the pontoons where an eclectic fleet of boats flying their flags is berthed.
We will be back in 2024
The city of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, the Cotentin conglomeration, Normandy Region, the Manche Département, the Morbihan Département, the Auray Quiberon Terre Atlantique council, La Trinité-sur-Mer and the French Navy have once again showed a real enthusiasm for the race. “I wish to thank them for their commitment to the event, which could not happen without them.
They are its foundation. Now, “Drheam” goes like a dream! To grow the race, we are dreaming of welcoming a private sponsor. Sailing carries a dream and sport brings people together, and this edition once again testifies to it” explains Jacques Civilise.
The organising team of the Drheam Cup / Grand Prix de France de Course au Large and all its loyal partners are already planning the 2024 event.
All the results HERE
The winners of the Courses:
DC 1000 A: Sam Goodchild (Leyton)
DC1000 B: Xavier Macaire (Groupe SNEF)
DC600: Oren Nataf (Rayon Vert)
Winners by class:
OCEAN FIFTY: Sam Goodchild (Leyton)
Multi 2000 : Xavier Macaire (Groupe SNEF)
Rhum Multi: Marc Guillemot (Metarom Group)
Ultime: Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue)
Class40 : Xavier Macaire ( Groupe SNEF)
Figaro 3: Basile Bourgnon and Robin Follin (Edenred)
IRC Double handed : Ludovic Gérard and Nicolas Brossay (Solenn for Pure Ocean)
IRC Equipage: Franco Niggeler (Kuka 3)
IRC Overall: Franco Niggeler (Kuka 3)
Rhum Mono: Catherine Chabaud (Formatives Network)
Large Monohulls: Marie Tabarly (Pen Duick IV)
Special trophies
Sport Trophy : Pen Duick VI
Club Trophy: Société Nautique de la Trinité
Builder’s trophy: JPS ProductionMEDIA DR