In preparation for this year's Commodore's cup ICRA members will be interested to know that France is fielding a strong sailing challenge at the Scottish series in two weeks time which means Royal Cork's Anthony O'Leary will get all the competition he is looking for and more when he arrives on Lough Fyne.

Both French teams will compete in IRC Class 1 at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series up against two previous winners of the overall Scottish Series Trophy, Ireland’s Anthony O’Leary on the Ker 39 Antix and three times winner Jonathan Anderson on Playing FTSE.

The magic of the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series continues to spread into Northern Europe and the premier regatta in the north of Britain has drawn two key French entries among the fleet which is set to muster on Loch Fyne from May 28-31st. 

The regatta has become a firm favourite with a small number of French skippers and crews and there have been regular visits from competitors from Brittany and beyond. 

In particular, as well as the excellent IRC handicap racing, the French visitors who make the long passage up the Irish Sea enjoy the relaxed ambience of the regatta and this historic, picturesque setting of Tabert which is similar to their native coastline. 

In 2008 the overall Scottish Series Trophy went to France for the first time when Gery Trentesaux skippered and steered his La Trinite based Beneteau First 45 to win Class 1. Trentesaux had been one of the most regular visitors from France over the recent history of the Scottish Series. Twice Trenteseaux has captained victorious teams to win the Rolex Commdore’s Cup, the most sought after international offshore racing team Trophy, but he has been a Scottish Series disciple for many years, spreading the word to his compatriots. 

Jacques Pelletier is from the same mould as Trenteseaux, a keen offshore racer who enjoys the challenge of travelling to regattas and races which interest him and his crew. He was due to race last year but had to withdraw at the last minute, but raced at Tarbert three times before, most recently in 2008. 

He, too, has twice represented France in the Commodore’s Cup. A retired businessman from Paris, Pelletier has done seven Figaro races across the Atlantic. 

Newcomers this year are the St Malo based crew of the J122 Nutmeg IV, owned and skippered by Francois Lognone. 

“It is the first time we come to Scotland to race but all of our French friends who have already raced in past years at Tarbert always return talking of the magic. So this year we will race, and go on and do a little bit of cruising. We have had the boat for three years, but from St Malo we regularly compete at Cowes Week, the Fastnet and the Round the Island race. But we are not at the same level as Géry Trentesaux!” remarks Lognone. 

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