24.11.05

DOMINIQUE 2nd IN THE WORLD IMOCA CHAMPIONSHIP

This season’s offshore racing ends on a high note for Dominique Wavre.  Following a fantastic fourth place in the last event of the year, the Transat Jacques Vabre, he has come second in the 2004/2005 Imoca class world championship, preceded by the English skipper Mike Golding.

Following an excellent transatlantic race, it’s another second place overall for the skipper in the FICO world championship (international offshore racing ranking); the results rewarding the great performance and regularity of the Swiss sailor over the past two racing seasons.

Along with these great results, the outcome of this transat is very satisfactory, even though the Golding-Wavre duo would doubtless prefer to have been in the battle for ultimate victory aboard a boat that had conserved its full potential.  This fourth place rewards the tenacity of the two co-skippers, who kept up with the pace despite penalising damage, as well as staving off an attack by their direct pursuers.  Sailing with a rudder amputated by over a third was the main cause for their loss of miles; control of the boat in the strong downwind conditions requiring a surplus of energy and great handling.

Mike Golding and Dominique worked in total unison aboard and neither the frantic pace of this 7th transatlantic (the event record was beaten by 3 days and 4 hours), nor the damage incurred, was able to shake the duo’s spirits. .Mike said on arrival: "It was very easy to sail with Dominique.  We took the decisions together.  He’s like me, we simply accepted what happened and continued working.  We certainly know each other better now and we’re not just going to remain in contact but also collaborate with each other."
Dominique agreed: "I really saw eye to eye with Mike and his boat, we sail in a very similar way.  By sharing each of our experiences we have learnt a lot and advanced together.  I have also discovered an excellent boat.  Prior to the rudder breaking, it was clear that its performance ranks among the best of today’s 60 footers.  Sailing on Ecover has confirmed the initial choices we made with Merfyn Owen, the architect of the new TEMENOS.  Different from Ecover, TEMENOS II will form part of the latest generation of Open 60 footers. "

After spending two weeks at sea, Dominique will return to his new TEMENOS which is currently taking shape in New Zealand.
"I followed part of the construction of the hull mould just before the start of the transat, and I’m really looking forward to immersing myself in the plans again and seeing the photos, which were taken while I was away.  At the start of the transat, I made a list of details to put the finishing touches to during construction."

Before returning to the construction team for a studious winter there is just time for Dominique to celebrate his awards in a deserving manner.  The launch of TEMENOS is scheduled for next spring.

2005 Imoca World Championship - TOP 5

1. GOLDING Mike, GBR - 175 points.
2. WAVRE Dominique, SUI - 127 points.
3. Le CAM Jean, FRA - 124 points.
4. DICK Jean-Pierre, FRA, 113 points.
5. RIOU Vincent, FRA - 107 points.  

http://www.imoca.org/

2005 FICO World Championship - TOP 5

1. Mike Golding (GBR) Ecover : 282 points
2. Dominique Wavre (SUI) Temenos : 242 points
3. Vincent Riou (FRA) PRB : 221 points
4. Jean Le Cam (FRA) Bonduelle : 209 points
5. Michel Desjoyeaux (FRA) Géant : 191 points

http://www.fico-sailing.org/