High drama on the high seas
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On a day when the classic fleet at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez endured a protracted wait for an afternoon breeze to fill, there was excitement once the AP flag was lowered.
Going for the start in the Aurique class, the 7-Metre Fife Endrick was over the line early. Ester, conversely, led off, showing a clean pair of heels, while Enrick began bearing away to round the line again. Gaff cutter Marigold powered on and a close shave proved too close as she went into the Swiss boat. The impact caused three crew members to land in the briny and had Marigold skipper Jean Degaudenzi reaching for the freeboard of the 1892-built Camper & Nicholson. Was this a typical port and starboard situation? Or was Marigold duty bound to give sufficient room for the restart?
Ingrid Abery, once again at the pointy end of regatta photography, watched aghast as the scene unfolded – and captured it through her lens.
The owner of , which was struck in the collision, is a former Olympic sailor who helmed a Flying Dutchman in the 1972 Munich Games.
