| Team BAE Systems end fourth, bid farewell to Atlantic stage |
FRANCE With the Atlantic stage of the 2012 Tour de France a la Voile now completed following the final technical race in Talmont Saint Hilaire on Wednesday, Team BAE Systems is in fourth place overall and champing at a bit in anticipation of the light Mediterranean breezes.
Cedric Pouligny’s crew have flourished in the light airs and their progress in the stronger winds has raised the motivation and expectation levels among the crew including Omani sailors Ahmed Al Mamari, Mohammed Al Mageni, Mohammed Al Makhini and Majid Al Mageni along with professional English and French crew members.
Since the start of the first stage in Dunkirk, Team BAE Systems has shown a marked consistency posting 11 podium places in 21 races, a press release said on Thursday.
In the past eight races, this has been highlighted with seven podium places including three second spots and four third spots. Their worse result from the start has been the seventh in the 14-strong fleet of M34s.
In the first technical race in Talmont Saint Hilaire on Sunday they finished fifth but capped off their exhausting Atlantic test with two consecutive seconds in the inshore races in front of the marina of Port-Bourgenay.
The latest technical courses were closely contested, but Team BAE Systems were in the mix throughout, never dropping out of the leading pack.
In the light breeze, their performance was slick and speedy, especially round the marks where the hours of training produced a sequence of smooth and seamless manoeuvres, reflecting a high level of teamwork and good communication among the Omani, French and English members of crew.
“Their performances had raised hopes of finishing the Tour de France a la Voile on the podium,” said skipper Cedric Pouligny.
“These great results are very motivating for everyone,” he said.
Leigh McMillan, tactician added: “What a team! Everyone gets along and we are seeing some fantastic progress especially with our bowman Mohammed Al Mageni, a brand new crewmember whose skills are developing right before our eyes. This is a great discovery. Every day he is showing us what he is capable of - he has huge potential.”
Oman Tribune
|
 |
|
|
| NEWS UPDATES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
