Orion-Gaté strike again at Martinique Cata Raid

Last three legs of 2019 Martinique Cata Raid were the occasion of tense racing between leading teams, Race Committee being forced to display Black Flag to launch final leg start in front of Schoelcher, and Orion-Gaté ultimately securing a 37 minutes margin on their contenders, Champanhac-Dhalenne finishing a mere 10 seconds ahead Bontemps-Moreau.


Leg 3 lead the fleet to Le Marin, rounding famous Diamond Rock. Orion-Gaté did managed a perfect port start and, after many crossovers, they flew away by exploiting a series of gusts on the right side of the course, crossing the line 12 minutes ahead Bontemps-Moreau, closely followed by Champanhac-Dhalenne, Gillet-Poix finishing 4th.

Leg 4 made the fleet return to Schoelcher, and did permitted to Gurvan Bontemps and Frédéric Moreau to get one bullet, Emmanuel & Jean Boulogne finishing 2nd, and Orion-Gaté 3rd although they capsized just before crossing the line.

Last leg was a double loop in front Schoelcher, rounding Anse Madame and SP Buoy. Tense fight all along the race, specially between Champanhac-Dhalenne and Bontemps-Moreau, 2018 Raid Worlds Champions being eventually 10 seconds ahead 3rd ranked team.

A second and well deserved win for Orion Martin & Charles Gaté, pretty untouchables all along the Raid.

Overall results.

Event website.

Pictures by Pierrick Contin.