Tuesday 12 July 2016

Veteran Quebec Skipper Takes Line Honours and First in Class in RHSP 2016

Georges Leblanc, skipper of Esprit de Corps II put on a push on Tuesday morning and slipped by two other VOR 60 competitors to cross the finish line first in Route Halifax Saint-Pierre 2016. Leblanc is part of Team Atlas, a Quebec based group that uses two ocean sailing racing boats to teach leadership skills to business executives.  His experience includes numerous ocean races including Transatlantic campaigns.

Esprit de Corps III, skippered by Gilles Barbot of Montreal had been leading the race since Monday afternoon when Leblanc overtook, close to Saint-Pierre.

Easy Company, skippered by past race chair Scott MacLeod from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron was overall leader in the PHRF classes.  Easy Company was about 75 nm from the finish line when Esprit de Corps crossed.  

Thirteen boats crossed the start line in Halifax harbour on Sunday at noon.  Three have since retired. "Saint Pierre et Miquelon" was dismasted near McNab's Island due to the failure of the vessel's port chain plate and was towed to RNSYS.  Wabi and Illusion both retired from the event on Sunday.

Inshore racing and many social events await the fleet in Saint-Pierre, which will mark France's National Day - Bastille Day on Thursday, July 14.  Saint Pierre et Miquelon is also celebrating 200 years of French rule this year, since the Islands were given to France by the Treaty of Paris in 1816.

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