A Surprise Party for Marcel Buffet

Updated 27 September, 2002

On the afternoon and evening of Saturday September 14, 2002 a surprise 80th birthday party was held for M. Marcel Buffet, a 505 sailor since about 1956, and 505 World Champion in 1959 and 1960. M. Buffet is still racing 505s today!

The party in honour of M. Buffet was held at the Cercle de la Voile de Paris, during a 505 Retro -- Caneton 505 Regatta where some of the first 505s ever built were racing. M. Buffet was racing in the regatta in 505 number 8. M. Buffet is a long-time member of the CVP. He grew up in his parent's home just across the Seine, and legend has it, learned to sail at the CVP after drifting into the club dock with a raft-and-sail, his first effort at sailing.

In addition to the competitors, a number of distinguished guests were at the party, to M. Buffet's complete surprise. These guests included a number of the people who had crewed for him, as well as top 505 competitors and class officers over the years, from France, England, Sweden and Denmark.

Event organizers set out an area next to the dinghy park, had nearly everyone stand on either side of a wide pathway with Marcel at the end, and then announced the guests -- who were in hiding around the corner of one of the club buildings -- one by one. The event "MC" would ask M. Buffet, "Do you remember who you won the French Championship with in 1966?", and would then announce the person's name and they would walk down the wide pathway and shake M. Buffet's hand. In this way, the guests were announced one by one. M. Buffet was completely surprised. I was the first "announced" person, and M. Buffet still had his sailing gloves on; he had only just been dragged away from 505 number 8, which he was fixing after a goosneck problem that occured during Saturday's racing.

It was remarkable how many people had come from near and far to honour M. Buffet. One of the amazing aspects was that though M. Buffet has raced 505s almost from day one of the class, he is still fit, trim and vigorous, while some of his contemporaries who stopped racing 505s years ago, appear rather older.

After all the invited guests had been announced, and had greeted M. Buffet, hors d'ouevres and champagne were served, and eventually a dinner in the club, with multiple birthday cakes, gifts for M. Buffet and then fireworks. Several speeches were made -- including one by this author in his limited French. Mr. Jan Eppers, a 505 racer from Denmark, made a wonderful toast to M. Buffet, saying that many of those present could remember times they were faster than M. Buffet, but that M. Buffet had outlasted them all, to become the grand old man of the 505 class.

In fact, M. Buffet is a two-time 505 World Champion, finished second and third numerous times, won the French Championship a number of times, and also represented France in the Olympics in the Flying Dutchman class, a boat he liked a great deal less than the 505!

Despite all this M. Buffet is a modest person, and devoted to helping others get better racing 505s. On the morning after the party, M. Buffet spent hours walking through the dinghy park helping retro 505 owners rig their boats, and offering advice to them. Several of the photos below are of Marcel helping other competitors.

Conversations with M. Buffet

M. Buffet may have been the first person to use a compass in a dinghy to understand windshifts. He was also one of the first people to have a dinghy built with especially light ends.

He feels that to win a 505 world championship you have to be very strong in a number of areas: crew, boat, sails and so on, and also to have some advantage over your competitors, such as the compass.

Images

Saturday AM Marcel Buffet rigs number 8 to race in the "Retro 505 -- Caneton 505" event	M. Buffet has no idea there is going to be a surprise party for him later on this day	part of the receiving line French 505 Class President Jean-Baptiste Dupont provides an English translation of a speech	The surprise guests are gathered for a photograph	Another view of the surprise guests and M. Buffet	and another
and another view	flags of the visitor's and competitor's countries	hor d'ouevres are served with champagne	partying	M. Marcel Buffet talks with another 505 sailor	an historic Jaguar tows an historic 505
another party view	505 number 38 with party in background	surprise guests around number 8 The gentleman in the wheelchair is Jean Marie Danielou, one of the great's in the 505 class, and second at the 1975 World Championship in Bermuda	more guests around number 8	Pelle Båth talks to a 505 Retro -- Caneton 505 competitor	a gorgeous Ferrari owned by a 505 sailor. Along with the vintage 505s, a number of vintage cars were shown. I think the Ferrari and perhaps the Jaguars are the most appropriate for 505 racers.
Mr. Parker (of G.W. Parker & Sons) talks to M. Buffet over dinner	one of the birthday cakes	Marcel Buffet reading a card	fireworks from a barge in the Seine	more fireworks
Sunday morning The Seine from CVP. M. Buffet's parent's home, where he grew up is slightly to the left of this building	Sunday morning M. Buffet helps other competitors	M. Buffet (behind jib) helping the same group

Announced Guests