A jury of the French Sailing Federation and the organisers are taking tough action in a recent case of fraud in La Solitaire du Figaro. After checking the on-board computers of all Figaro Beneteau 3s in the finish harbour of Piriac-sur-Mer, the jury of the Fédération Française de Voile (FFVoile, French equivalent of the German Sailing Federation), chaired by Georges Priol, decided on Saturday to retroactively exclude Benoît Tuduri ("Capso - En Cavale") from the race. In addition, Pierre Daniellot ("Team Vendée Formation") was disqualified from the second and third legs of the race.
World Sailing Rule 69 was also violated
Both sailors had downloaded so-called grib files (weather data) during the race. This is forbidden under the class rules and also invokes World Sailing Rule 69, which is concerned with damaging the reputation of the sport. The decisions led to a corresponding change in the overall classification of the race as well as the Beneteau classification for the "Bizuths" (first participants) and the Beneteau trophy for the "Bizuths".
Following an inspection on Saturday, the two boats concerned, "Capso - En Cavale" and "Team Vendée Formation", became the subject of a jury report. It stated: "The skippers of these two boats downloaded weather files during the race. We summoned these two sailors and they appeared before the jury. The documents presented to us prove that they did indeed download files."
During the investigation, the skipper of 'Capso - En Cavale' admitted that he had taken a second phone on board with which he could use an internet connection." (Jury)
It went on to say: "During the investigation, the skipper of 'Capso - En Cavale' admitted that he had taken a second phone on board with which he could use an internet connection. This is absolutely against all the rules of the race, where receiving devices on board are prohibited." Following his hearing by the FFVoile jury, Benoît Tuduri will therefore be excluded from the event. It went on to say: "Given the seriousness of the offence, a report will be sent by the jury to the FFVoile, which could have additional consequences for the sailor."
Pierre Daniellot's case is slightly less serious in the eyes of the jury: due to the small number of downloaded files - one in England, the other in the Vendée and without proof that he had a phone on board - the penalty is less severe. He is disqualified from stages 2 and 3. As a result, he drops from 9th to 28th place in the overall standings, whereby anyone who is disqualified on a stage is credited with the time of the last rider, to which three hours are added.
The rules of sailing were applied and those who deviated from them were penalised." (Jury)
In a press release issued by the organisers of La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec in the evening, it said: "The principle of the Solitaire du Figaro Paprec is simple: the sailors compete under the same conditions on boats of the same type. So it's the sailor who makes the difference. The rules of sailing were applied and those who deviated from them were penalised."
Benoît Tuduri turned to his classmates that evening and apologised in a WhatsApp group with these words:
"Hello everyone, today I have to confess a serious mistake on my part: I cheated on stage three. I took a SIM card on board with which I could call up weather files, which reinforced my strategy. I don't know what got into me ... I put myself under pressure to get a result and wanted to make sure I completed this stage successfully after what had happened before. I feel bad because I betrayed ruer's trust and I blame myself terribly.
I'm going to the awards ceremony tonight to apologise publicly. All my partners, my friends and my family don't deserve this. The entire organisation, the skippers and the people at La Solitaire don't deserve it either. This unsportsmanlike behaviour that I indulged in teaches me a fine lesson. I am aware of this mistake, which has ruined my sporting performance. I accept the consequences and the exclusion from the race.
I hope I get the opportunity to show everyone and myself that I am better than that" (Benoît Tuduri)
I am deeply sorry. I understand that I am very disappointing you. I don't think my apology will change what I have done. I stand by it. I hope I get the opportunity to show everyone and myself that I am better than this. I'm sorry for spoiling the mood."
The reactions on social media were largely indignant and harsh. For example: "It is important that these jokers are dealt with harshly ... Licence revocation cannot be ruled out. If you play, you have to stick to the rules, otherwise you stay at home."
Elodie Bonafous: best skipper, best newcomer
Or like this: "It's not just that it harms an institution of this sport. The idea of cheating is also so far removed from the spirit of sailing and this race. It's intolerable." Or like this: "He had enchanted me with his boldness and tactical decisions, but I am disgusted by this news! It's clear that it's easier with regularly updated weather data."
Late on Saturday evening (17 September), the classification was changed as a result of the penalties: Overall winner remains Corentin Horeau ("Banque Populaire") ahead of Basile Bourgnon ("Edenred") and Lois Berrehar ("Skipper Mecif 2022"). The best female skipper and best newcomer among all male and female "Bizuths" this year was Elodie Bonafous ("Queguiner - La vie en rose") in sixth place overall. Sanni Beucke from Strande near Kiel finished her second Figaro with the campaign "This Race is Female" in 27th place after three stages.
