Battle of the Bosses
For three years, this event is held on the island of Île de Porquerolles on board 12 one-design boats supplied by Bénéteau. The principle is simple: inviting politicians, business leaders, media stars, F1 drivers… and leading skippers to “hold their hand” over three days.
“If you ask a ‘boss’ to take the helm, they take it even if they do not know how to actually sail!”, repeated the amused Bruno Troublé when launching this event.
Building on its success in the 1980s, the First Class 8 will be followed by the First Class 10, 12 and Europe, which will very quickly establish dominant positions, whether for match racing championships or corporate events like the Défi des Ports de Pêche (Fishing Ports Challenge) or the Combat des Chefs (Battle of the Bosses).
New approach to regatta racing
Conceived by Bruno Troublé, who was selected for two Olympic Games, was the helmsman for the French challenge for the America’s Cup in 1977 and 1980, creator of the Louis Vuitton Cup among others, and organizer of various events, as well as by Sophie Roynette, whose husband Patrice was president of the UNCL at the time, the “battle of the bosses”, with support from Veuve Cliquot champagnes, perfectly illustrates this new “luxurious” approach to regattas.
The sister of Bruno Troublé, Agnes B, Gaston Deferre, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, Jean-François Deniau, Claude Perdriel, Bernard Tapie, Lindsay Owen Jones, Dominique Baudis, Jean Alesi, Philippe Alliot… all come together to compete against one another during a weekend of fun and celebrations. These “bosses” must take the helm, but are advised by illustrious sailing champions, like Marc Pajot, Eric Tabarly, Jean-Yves Terlain, Yvon Fauconnier and Philippe Poupon.
Bringing together Deferre and Tapie!
The businessman Bernard Tapie, who has just bought out OM football club, crosses paths for the first time with Gaston Deferre, the long-time Mayor of Marseille and outstanding regatta racer on board his Palynodie. As Deferre was not sure whether Tapie was more on the left or right, he straightaway asks him: “Are you more port or starboard?” Bernard Tapie does not know much about sailing, and will later buy the Club Méditerranée, Alain Colas’ former 72m monohull, changing its name to Phocéa, but absolutely wants to win this event which was widely covered in the media!
While the rules require the “boss” to take the helm, the businessman asks Marc Pajot to discreetly take control, giving him the stick – an extension of the tiller – and pretending to steer the yacht…