Sailing: Radical new French yacht takes to seas
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.QUIETLY, OH so quietly, with a crowd numbered in tens, not even hundreds, the French America's Cup team took time out to set the world of maxi yacht racing on a new course off Cadiz at the weekend.
Le De'fi, which has the indigestible name of Bouygues Telecom/Transiciel 6th Sens, was one of seven teams starting in the Addeco Maxi One Design World championship on a 900-mile race to Lorient in southern Brittany.
If they arrive first then they may take a break from their work building the radically designed yacht they hope will carry them to glory in the Louis Vuitton Cup series, which begins in Auckland in October.
New Zealand's Jeff Scott, in charge of Ludde Ingvall's Scandia-backed European entry, was second behind his compatriot Ross Field, the Kiwi who in 1997 won the Fastnet Race, with Scott on board, in the same class of 80ft, water- ballasted boat.
The French were trying everything but failing to get past Scott. However, in the light airs of the first night, navigator Marcel van Triest took the French much further off shore in the search for advantage as they sail toward the Bay of Biscay.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments