The VIPER would have to be the most out performing boat in the world right now. With some of the world’s biggest names sailing competing on it, the VIPER is really taking it to the "big boys of the class". Last weekend in France was no acceptation VIPERS shining at the Raid Emeraude.

Vipers once again punched above their weight, full results to come. Peirre-Yves Durand and Antoine Le Corre flew the C2 flag finishing 4th in the 60 strong F18 Fleet!!!

Report bellow from our great friend Nicolas Touchot!!

"We had a wonderful time last week end in Northern Brittany for the “Raid Emeraude” with a fleet of Vipers enjoying two challenging but highly successful days of racing. Overall the Viper was the most prominent class making up about half of the C1 class and going head to head with about 60 F18.

On Day 1, after a difficult start due to a sudden drop in wind pressure Gildas Griziaux, our French Viper Class Association president, reeled-in the full fleet finishing on the heels of the Tornados and Nacra F20s, with the three leading Vipers finishing within a minute. We sailed past Cap Frehel, the first mark on the famed “Route du Rhum”, passing under the cliffs where more than 50,000 people usually await giants such as Groupama.

Despite early worries about light winds on day 2, we had a nice 15 knots wind at the start that held for the day. About half of the course was sailed under spinnaker and once again Gildas added to his growing legend by buzzing around the F20s for most of the time and finishing behind only 3 F18s that had started just 5 minutes behind.

Completing the Viper podium were Gwen Roth, former HC16 world champion, on his first regatta on a Viper, and Gael and Sandrine Brisson. Local star and transatlantic sailor Loic Fequet was also sailing a Viper, a huge change from his traditional 50 foot trimaran.

The Vipers dominated Olympic hopefuls Audrey Ogereau and Benjamin Amiot on the Cirrus Q, despite the Cirrus posting a much favorable rating.

Overall a very enjoyable regatta and a happy Viper fleet.

Nicolas "