J^jiuary 2015
A :
Masterclass
The official Team France entry for the 2017 America's Cup may have Michel Desjoyeaiix, Olivier de Kersauson and Franclc Gammas, but Artemis Racing already have Loi'ck Peyron very definitely on the books! Indeed, Artemis C E O Iain Percy was among the first to congratulate his technical consultant and performance expert when he arrived in Guadeloupe to both win the 2014 Route du Rhum and set a new race record. But Peyron must now also by now be considered something of a 'model employee' by Banque Populaire; two years ago he stepped into the breach to pull together their giant trimaran project that had lost direction, with Baiiqiie Populaire V, going on to smash the round-the-world mark and secure the Trophy Jules Verne. Then, just a few weeks ago, Peyron was once again the first name off the Rolodex when Banque Populaire's current skipper Armcl Ic Cléac'h was injured in the run-up to the Rhum. So two out of two for the Banque Populaire-Peyron association. From Peyton's personal perspective, stepping onto the 100ft former Grotipama 3
(wirmer of the previous Rhum in 2010) was a heaven-sent chance to finally fill in one of the few blanks on his ocean racing C V - in five attempts Peyron had previously scored a best Rhum result of filth, being more famous for the theatrical (and extremely dangerous) loss of his Orma 60 tri Fuji film in 2002, during the course ofwhich he gave his shore crew a running commentary. The flipside is that if Team France have any plans to pitch Banque Populaire for financial backing for the America's Cup then there is likely to be a strong caveat applied in terms of one particular team member being included in the programme...
COVER: Thierry Martinez
INSET: Gilles
Martin-Raget
F E A T U R E S
24 A few personal thoughts
Designer H U G H W E L B O U R N pays t r i b u t e t o r w o o f his m o s t f o r m a t i v e 'partners i n c r i m e ' . . .
27 New for old
A N D R E H O E K is one o f the u n d i s p u t e d masters w h e n y o u need help getting y o u r J-Class o r o d i e r large classic racer u p to f u l l competitiveness
31A change of direction
N I G E L I R E N S e n j o y s something o f an e p i p h a n y o n a recent delivery south w h i l e r i g maestro T O R B J O R N L I N D E R S O N asks w h e t h e r i t ' s really a b o u t the c h i c k e n o r the egg...
34 First to finish
- a n d then some
D O B B S D A V I S g n l i s the team behind the latest V e r d i e r - V P L P m o n s t e r . . . the 1 0 0 f t Comanche
39 Different Strokes
T h e latest Class 4 0 f r o m O w e n Clarke Design is a l i t d e o u t o f the ' n o r m ' , says M E R F Y N O W E N
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
ME-CE G R E V I L L E12 World news
L O I C K P E Y R O N proves to be a wise ' h i r e ' , as trouble stalks the R l i u m fleet (again), t w o fast Italians, G I A N C A R L O P E D O T E and A N D R E A M U R A , r i p p i n g up the Coastal Classic ( o n a kiteboard), G U Y OLIX^ERand Olectrics' latest, remarkable, challenge. Plus change is a f o o t at US O f f s h o r e . G I A N C A R L O L U Z Z A T T O , B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R W I L K I N S , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , D O B B S D A V I S/Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T8 Update
W O U T E R V E R B R A A K brings us a step-by-sometimes-painful-step guide t o the o p e n i n g bouts o f this year's V o l v o Ocean Race, and T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N also discovers c o n d i t i o n s some w a y a w a y f r o m the n o r m ' f o r the time o f year!'20PaulGaifard
A n d times they are a - c h a n g i n g \ v i t h the 2 0 1 4 - 1 5 V o l v o Ocean Race
22 IRC column
- Crazy horses
A n d c h i e f measurer J A M E S D A D D asks w h e t h e r i t has really been 30 years since w e f i r s t e n c o u n t e r e d C H S ( i n a Parisian saloon)
42 Design-Bigger, faster
T h e latest m o u t h w a t e r i n g p e r f o r m a n c e s l o o p f r o m E D D U B O I S a n d R o y a l H u i s m a n S h i p y a r d
44R0RCnews
A n d , yes, w e d o get t o keep ISAF's sometimes c o n t e n n o u s Sailor C l a s s i f i c a t i o n C o d e . . . E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
SeahorsehüMXahle
- Leg Zero - a philosophical analysis
S T E F A N O B E L T R A N D O f i n d s h i m s e l f being made m u c h m o r e w e l c o m e by t o d a y ' s V O R f l e e t
48 56a/ror56 regatta calendar
67 Sailor ofthe Month
Les d a r n e d Froggies... Z e y can go so fast
Croatian sailor Slobodan Velikl9 Joined In this year's Sandeq R a c e In Indonesia, which loosely mirrors the Tour Voiles In France but using these powerful and 'rather flexible' 12-15m trimarans, with ISOrn^ of sail area and capable of speeds exceeding 30kt... Crews consist of a helm, two trimmers plus five on the wire - but no harnesses. Of all the multlhulls found In these waters, Sandeq proas are fastest a s they evolved for tuna fishing... and tuna are rapid. The race c o n s i s t s of 7 legs In 10 days over 300nm from Makassar, South Sulawesi, to Mamuju, capital of West Sulawesi... plus several In-port events
Smoking...
Bernard Stamm and his co-skipper Jean le Cam send it hard during training onboard their Lnoca 60 Cbeniinées
Poiijoiilat ahead of this
winter's Barcelona World Race. Stamm's latest Imoca 60 replaces his powerful Juan K design which was lost after breaking in two mid-Adantic one year ago, believed lo be as a consequence of localised corrosion within the hull's aluminium core. The 'new'
Chem'mées Poiijoiilat has
already completed several circumnavigadons, being the former Farr-designed Foitcia on which Michel Desjoyeaiix utterly destroyed his opposition during the 2008 Vendee Globe... in spite of being forced to restart the race nearly two days late. Eight Imoca 60s wiU hne up for the latest Barcelona World Race, the third edition of diis important two-handed event. Meanwhile, and looking further ahead to the next Vendee Globe in 2016, the Imoca 60 class once more finds itself in rude health with no fewer than seven new builds now confirmed and several of the best of the existing fleet already in the hands of new owners, including Armel Tripon
{ex-Groiipe Bel) and Yann
Eliès [ex-Safran). Meanwhile, the winner of the last Vendee, Francois Gabart's Mticif, has also recently been sold as Gabart himself prepares to take dehvery of his new 100ft solo trimaran. The Imoca class switch to one-design keels and rigs appears to have reinforced confidence in this elite but expensive fleet, with 20 to 25 boats now expected for the next Vendee. Interestingly, of the choice of wing-mast versus conventional spar now allowed in the class, to date every new rig order has specified the wing soludon using long deck spreaders...
COVER: Tliierry Martinez
INSET: Brian
Cariin/Vestas
F E A T U R E S
27 I'll be back
J O C E L Y N B L E R I O T talks t o A R M E L L E C L E A C ' H a b o u t R h u m d i s a p p o i i i t m e i i t a n d also the e x c i t i n g V e n d é e G l o b e s t o r y that lies ahead...31 Man at the helm
H e w o n the f i r s t Fastnet Race a n d w e n t o n t o f o u n d a n 'Ocean Racing C l u b ' i n its i m a g e . . . C L A R E M C C O M B a n d B E N H O O G E W E R F l o o k back at the f a s c i n a t i n g life o f E G ' G E O R G E ' M A R T I N
at the R a j a M u d a Selangor's 2 5 t h anniversary.
34The Story ofa passion...
F r o m o f f s h o r e o i l e x p l o r a t i o n t o creating an i n n o v a t i v e n e w range o f I R C designs... P A T R I C E C A R P E N -T I E R talks t o i n c o m i n g A r c h a m b a u l t S h i p y a r d s u p r e m o T H O M A S D U H E N
39 Caribbean (race) charter...
F r o m boats t o regattas t o n i g h t c l u b s . . . h o w t o g o a b o u t i t a n d h o w t o m a k e the correct choices
42 Revolution In the village
P o n t o s . . . and a n e w p a r a d i g m i n w i n c h c o n t r o l
44 An iconic gathering
R O B W E I L A N D f i n d s h i m s e l f o n an i l l u m i n a t i n g voyage d o w n o f f s h o r e racing's o w n m e m o r y lane
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D7 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T8 Update
I A N W A L K E R has very clear views a b o u t t a k i n g o n the 2014-15 V o l v o Ocean Race, T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N w r a p s u p 2 0 1 4 at the Melges 3 2 w o r l d s a n d G U Y N O W E L L takes a ( w a r m ) l o o k
12 World news
A n d it's t o p ( R h u m ) marks f o r A L E X P E L L A a n d o u r o w n r o v i n g correspondent M I R A N D A M E R R O N , Bermuda w i n s the opening s k i r m i s h o f America's C u p 3 5 . . . and G R A N T D A L T O N reacts, X A B I F E R N A N D E Z explains the changes o n b o a r d V o l v o entry Mapfre... some c o n t e x t to ' N I C H O ' S ' heartbreak and Wild Oats heads f o r
H a w a i i . . . C A R L O S P I C H , B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R W I L K I N S , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , D O B B S D A V I S
22 Rod Davis
A n d h o w A r t e m i s R a c i n g i n t e n d t o r e w r i t e the p l a y b o o k f o r the 3 5 t h A m e r i c a ' s C u p i n 2 0 1 724 GRC column
M a k i n g l i f e easier f o r regatta organisers ( a n d c o m p e t i t o r s ) . D O B B S D A V I S
46 Design
- A competitive commission...
C u r r e n t M i n i M a x i w o r l d c h a m p i o n designer M A R K M I L L S is t h r o w n d o w n a n e w g a u n t l e t b y the u l t r a - c o m p e t i t i v e R O B E R T O L A C O R T E48R0RCnews
A n d a g r e a t l y e x p a n d e d i n s h o r e a n d o f f s h o r e p r o g r a m m e is p l a n n e d f o r the c l u b ' s 9 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y season. E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N49 56a/rorse build table
-Fire-breathing monster
S H A U N C A R K E E K spots a g a p i n the ' H P R style' m a r k e t f o r a n e w 'upper m i d - s i z e d ' design...
52
Seahorse
regatta calendar
71 Sailor ofthe Month
B o t l i f a s t . . . albeit at opposite ends o f the s p e c t r u m
It blew pretty hard on finals' day during the second edition o f t h e Star Sailors' League In Nassau, with the American pairing of Mark Mendelblatt and Brian Faith [Inset) taking a last gasp victory from 2012 gold medallists Lööf and Ekström. Young Brazilian Finn sailor Jorge Zarif turned heads to finish fourth overall
r C o n t e n t s ^ V M f e T i T E S
F E A T U R E S
22 Hope balanced with frustration
For M a x i 72 class manager R O B W E I L A N D a week i n Key W e s t p r o m p t e d some b r o a d reflections o n today's m u l t i p l e r a t i n g systems
8 Update
T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N suffers a ' h u m p ' day i n Key West w h i l e A N D Y R I C E catches up w i t h V o l v o Race sensation C H A R L E S C A U D R E L I E R
4
27The (other) Pope- Part 2
B r i n g o n the T e c h n o l o g y T i g e r s . . . as explained by D O B B S D A V I S a n d L O W E L L N O R T H
Enjoying (aimost) every
minute of tlie ride...
Dongfeng has been the revelation of the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. We knew skipper Charles Caudrelier was very, very good, but few had realised what a brilhant choice he had been as a skipper tasked with bringing on enough young Chinese sailors during the race to form the core of a future all-Chinese team. And Caudrelier's task is not an easy one... especially for a hard-core racer who will always be motivated primarily by winning (remember Oiudreher, a Figaro Race winner, also won the V O R at his fust attempt with Frank Gammas and Groupama). To the surprise of many observers and no doubt many of his rivals, after witming Leg 3 the Dongfeng skipper confirmed that nothing had changed in the overall plan and there'd still be no fewer than four crew changes for Leg 4. 'In an ideal world,' said Gaudreher, 'for sure, we would not be making all these changes, but this is part of the project. We could easily take the best Chinese sailors and keep them on the boat, but that's not in the deal. I accepted the contract and I will do it the way that we have planned.' There are probably not too many top skippers who could live with so much compromise in an event that anyone serious about offshore racing would kill to win, but Dongfeng's skipper is on top of the bigger picture and demonstrates a lack of ego thatis a pleasant change from some of those who have preceded him. The 'plan' is for Dongfeng to be the first step in a longterm project to deUver a competitive Chmese team in the future -given the personal concessions made by Caudrelier and his no2 Pascal Bidégorry in terms of their own ambitions, let's all hope the plan is seen through
COVER: Sam
Greenfieid/Dongfeng
INSET: Tliierry IVlartinez
f
32 (Great) sportboat value
M e e t the 'keenly p r i c e d ' FarEast 2 8 R
34 Get a grip...
The lab boys a t G i l l have been busy
35Maceeve...
O r is it? J O C E L Y N B L E R I O T discusses F R A N g O I S G A B A R T ' s n e w 1 0 0 f t t r i m a r a n vvith G A B A R T a n d V P L P lead designer X A V I E R G U I L B A U D
38 The ultimate red hat party
A n d the t h o r o u g h l y excellent M o u n t Gay R o u n d Barbados race series is o n the u p once again
40 Look closely
A N D Y R I C E discusses technical development w i t h the w i n n e r s - a n d the w i n n i n g designers, sailmakers a n d b u i l d e r s - a t t l i e I n t e r n a t i o n a l M o t h a n d 14 c h a m p i o n s h i p s i n A u s t r a l i a . . .
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D7Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S TLes U l t i m e s , a fast saucepan a n d the W a s z p
World news
B E R N A R D S T A M M a n d ' K I N G ' J E A N make f o r the d o i t i i n a n t p a i r i n g , the TP52s start t o get organised i n A u c k l a n d , T e a m Vestas begin to put H u r a p t y D u m p t y back together again, B U R L I N G the magnificent, and a little too m u c h w h i n i n g i n Key West? B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R W I L I O N S ,
G I U L I A N O L U Z Z A T T O , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , D O B B S D A V I S
20 Rod Davis
A n d it's a w o n d e r t h a t today's A m e r i c a ' s C u p crews can actually stand u p aud w a l k to their boats
24 ORG column
2 0 1 5 is g o i n g to be a (very) busy year. D O B B S D A V I S
44 Design-Bang up to date
U M B E R T O F E L C L L U C A U N G A R O a n d the PlanaTech design a n d b u i l d t e a m r e v i e w the c r e a t i o n o f a b r a n d n e w - w i n n i n g - 'one-design'
46 56dAors6 build table
-(Sporty) new entrant
M A R K M I L L S i n t r o d u c e s the n e w M A T S 1 1 8 0
50
Seahorse
regatta calendar
52 RORC news-Upgrade!
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
71 Sailor Ofthe Month
T w o m o r e huge talents...
Even world champions make the odd mistake (left) a s today's top Int 14 pairing of Truswell and P a s c o e try a Chinese gybe during training ahead of the 2015 worlds... which they later won quite easily. 'Maybe ease Ihe Jib...'Also In Oz, the 18s are having another pretty vigorous season {Insefj. A flying 18 was once a 'wow' moment, but today they seem to spend as much time aloft as afloat
(
Contents It
^jP-Afldsfeba
She loved the s e a
Florence Arthaud was one of the origmal school of long distance soloists, learning her craft alongside people such as EricTabarly. She was tough and determined; setbacks in early campaigns did nothing to slow her drive to succeed in a challenging, male-dominated career. The first real success came in 1988 when she chartered thé 1984 Thompson design Paragon for the Ostar and finished seventh despite breaking her boom; this race saw the debut of several brand new and much faster Irens and Thompson designs and so this was a good result (ironically
Paragon was later sold to
Francis Joyon, who made typically good use of her). Meanwhile, Ardiaud's performance was enough to prompt her sponsor, Groupe Pierre 1", to build her a new trimaran designed by the growing Paris studio VPLP. The new Pierre f "was fast out of the box but more powerful and demanding to sail than her predecessors. More powerful was not something to worry Florence - she was just excited by the speed potential of her new boat and ahnost immediately started to achieve some good results. The pinnacle of course was the Route du Rhum which by 1990 was established as the top solo transadantic race; it was also the race for which major sponsors were most ready to open their wallets (that remains the case today, along with the Vendee Globe). So Florence was not the only one with a new tri; but she put it all together to win the race from die legendary Philippe Poupon and the brilliant and aggressive Laurent Bourgnon. Twenty-five years later the win has stood the test of time and remains arguably the greatest ever victory by a woman in a long-distance ocean race. Not a bad epitaph
OOVER: Jacques
Vapillon/DPPI
INSET: Max RanchI
F E A T U R E S
Ö Gaining (serious) momentum
D A M I A N F O X A L L , S I D N E Y G A V I G N E T a n d A L E X P E L L A were a f e w of the big names w h o jouied E F G Sailing A r a b i a - T h e T o u r for 2 0 1 5
28 Still growin'
J O S H I M P E Y a n d S C O T T V O G E L b r i n g us u p t o date w i t h S o u t h e r n Spars' r i g developments
J A C K G R I F F I N l o o k s at the b i g changes t o p e r f o r m a n c e profiles needed t o succeed at A C 3 5 , D A V E H O L L O M praises his sailors, T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N tips a hat to D E A N B A R K E R and Emirates T e a m N Z . Plus D O B B S D A V I S reports o n the latest Superyacht r a t i n g system
31 Onslaught
R O B W E I L A N D tries t o a v o i d being r u n d o w n i n the f l o o d o f n e w T P 5 2 launches
32 Perfect combination
As tvvo o f the b e s t - k n o w n names i n high-tech a n d large yachts j o i n forces
33 How did we get here?
B A R technical d i r e c t o r A N D Y
C L A U G H T O N l o o k s at the b a c k d r o p to the genesis o f the A C 6 2 s t h a t w i l l race i n Bermuda
36 Better data
P H I L I P A I K E N H E A D and P A O L O
M A N G A N E L L I r e v i e w the engineering b e h i n d the V 0 6 5 fleet a n d l o o k at the unprecedented l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i r i e s o n o f f e r i n the c u r r e n t race
40 Leap Of faith
B L U E R O B I N S O N attempts t o prise i n f o r m a t i o n o u t o f f o i l e r M o t h g u r u A N D R E W M a c h 2 -M C D O U G A L L a b o u t his n e w people's f l y e r . . .44 Mobile campaign HQ
T h e G e r m a n P-Star creator a n d O l y m p i c Star sailor M A R C P I C K E L has been d i v e r s i f y i n g . . .
R E G U L A R S
6 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D9 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T10 Update
P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R pays t r i b u t e t o his o l d transatlantic r i v a l F L O R E N C E A R T H A U D ,14 World news
N e w Imoca 60s are almost as p r o l i f i c as those T P 5 2 s . . . t h o u g h currently they all hail f r o m the same designers, a n e w Class40 f o r H A L V A R D , t u r b u l e n t times at T e a m N e w Zealand and
J A Y H A N S E N joins US O f f s h o r e . B L U E R O B I N S O N , W O R W I L K I N S , G I U L I A N O L U Z Z A T T O , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , D O B B S D A V I S
23PaulCayard
A n d f i n a l l y there is a n e w M a x i class w o r t h y o f the name. Plus o l d s c h o o l i n the Molokai C h a n n e l24 IRC column
A n d J A M E S D A D D w o n d e r s if w e really are on the cusp o f some genuine dual-purpose w i n n e r s
26ISAF column
A n d i t ' s a w a r m w e l c o m e back to these pages, w i t h the f i r s t e d i t i o n o f o u r newest c o l u m n penned b y I S A F President C A R L O C R O C E
46 Design - Offshore potential
D O B B S D A V I S takes a close l o o k at the latest, • tasty a n d offshore-capable 3 3 - f o o t e r f r o m the c o m b i n a t i o n o f J A S O N K E R w o r k i n g alongside M c C o n a g h y Boats
48 Sea/ror^e build table
-Game changer?
T h e n e w V r o l i j k 5 2 t h a t g o t c h i e f measurer J A M E S D A D D r u m i n a t i n g a b o u t just h o w m u c h i t is possible t o d o w i t h the ' m o d e r n r a c i n g y a c h t '52 S d d t a d regatta calendar
54 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N71 Sailor ofthe Month
O u r a i m has never been t o t r y t o m a k e this easy...
AlvlmedlcB makes good
j use of the V065 reaching strut In Auckland. Simple and effective, the strut has given a valuable boost In allowing wider and more efficient use of the V 0 6 5 ' s very limited sail wardrobe. The V 0 6 5 has been a great s u c c e s s and In simple terms has s a v e d the race; It may not be a s fast nor a s dramatic a s the VO70 but crews leaving Auckland looked forward to learning Just how hard they can be pushed...
Keep the airways clear
Recovering tlie giant chutes found on today's Superyachts when racing can be hazardous. The whole Superyacht regatta circuit is now finding some maturity to go along with die increase in popularity. For too long this growing fleet has raced under a nuxture of rating systems, generally with a considerable degree of subjecdvity-with boats being re-rated overnight following a particularly good (rarely very bad) performance. Certainly boats have been regularly re-rated betiveen events, which has been a major cause of discontent among the owners in particular. Remember that although these are cruising boats, which may race for a few days each year, by their nature those who own such large and beautiful yachts are rarely lacking in compeutive spirit. Also, while numerous well-known racers earn valuable income crewing these large boats, many others stay away because die racing, while colourful, is often pretty meaningless in terms of a good performance necessarily translating into a good result. This can lead to a tedious regatta where the conviviality (and financial benefit) may only partially compensate for competitive dissatisfacuon. Recently, however, the fleet has been trialhng a new rule created in partnership ivith the O R C , which inidally at least appears to be deUvering much better results in terms of underpinning good racing. The necessity for most Superyacht regattas to employ a staggered, pursuit-race format remains, primarily because of reasons of insurance, but at least there is now a prospect of some better competition. Certainly recent endorsements of this new rating system by respected racers like Mike Sanderson must go a long way towards generating optimism for the future. Fingers crossed
COVER: Ingrid Abery
F E A T U R E S
6Bold'OrMirabau(i
I A n d the f i r s t classic o f the 2015 E u r o p e a n season
26 Keeping it in proportion
R O B W E I L A N D asks i f the big regattas have n o t become t o o dependent u p o n sponsor largesse...
27 Less complex than we thought
B U R N S F A L L O W and the Emirates T e a m N e w Z e a l a n d aero team talk to I V O R W I L K I N S a b o u t A C w i n g design
31 All the king's horses...
J A M E S D A D D l o o k s at the challenges o f resurrecting Team
Vestas Wind and e n s u r i n g t h a t the
r e b u i l t V 0 6 5 remains i n class
10
Update
A N D Y C L A U G H T O N o f B A R is happy t o be w o r k i n g o n the A C 4 8 , T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N is n o t q u i t e as enamoured w i t h the A C 3 5 changes, J U L I A N E V E R I T T sums 'things' u p a n d B L U E R O B I N S O N talks to SCA's S O P H I E C I S Z E K
32 Nothing is indestructible
B L U E R O B I N S O N sits d o w n w i t h V o l v o Ocean Race b o a t y a r d manager N I C K B I C E
34A rough guide
M I R A N D A M E R R O N o n the trials a n d p i t f a l l s o f p r e p a r i n g a Class40 f o r the R o u t e d u R h u m
36 Big task-little time
B R A N D O N L I N T O N a n d his b u i l d t e a m d i d a p r e t t y r e m a r k a b l e j o b i n delivering the 1 0 0 - f o o t e r
Comanche w i t h i n a r a t h e r challenging t i m e f r a m e
46 Spreading the word
T h e new V i s m a r a 4 6 M i l l s
48 It's twins-well, not quite
T w o m o r e g l a m T P 5 2 s f r o m Persico
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D9 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T14 World news
' N i p p e r ' LUICE P A R K I N S O N stars o n b o a r dAzzani, B E R N A R D S T A M M is back i n the saddle,
China turns red, yet more multi-tasking f r o m G A M M A S , A u c k l a n d launches raceboats again,
RIBES and A L T A D I L L o n the B W R and l u k e w a r m Cup reactions f r o m the USA.
B L U E R O B I N S O N , FVOR W I L K I N S , C A R L O S P I C H , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , D O B B S D A V I S
21 ISAF Column
A n d sailboat r a c i n g is o f f i c i a l l y n o w a s i x - c o n t i n e n t s p o r t22 Rod Davis
Some h a r d truths a b o u t leadership
r —
-24 ORG column
R a t i n g the Superyacht monsters. D O B B S D A V I S
40 Design - Oak trees and acorns
T R I S T A N V A N D E R H A E G H E a n d a keen g r o u p o f C a n a d i a n students i n M o n t r e a l i n t e n d t o be o n the s t a r d i n e o f the n e x t L i t t l e A m e r i c a ' s C u p . . .
A2
SeahorsehuM
table
- Magnificent achievement
P E T E R J O H N S T O N E c o n f o u n d e d the d o u b t e r s w h e n G u n b o a t ' s n e w G 4 f o i l i n g cat g r a c i o u s l y t o o k t o the air o n its d e b u t i n Sint M a a r t e n50
Seahorsereè^itdL
calendar
52 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
71 Sailor ofthe Month
T w o people w h o scored v e r y w e l l this m o n t h . . . Suggestions that one of the c a u s e s of the Dongfeng dismasting (Insef) may have been the team's unique use of a triple-header rig were dispelled by this sighting of
Brunei later power
reaching under exactly the same configuration. Possibly this rig gave Dongfeng an early competitive advantage but now everyone Is using I t - w h i c h could of course mean that the whole fleet is also now at risk?
It clearly works
There was a lot of talk of 'wait and see' when Gunboat announced it was building a dual-purpose foiled 40-footer. However, while the end product may not be for everyman, there is no doubt that the Gunboat G4 is a breaktluough boat. Out of the box in St Earths, it was up on its foils and flying by the end of the second day of testing. Yes, there was 'that' capsize when the giant gennaker was hung on to a httle bit too long (no doubt as you are reading this someone is looking into those clever auto-release cleats rehed upon by French singlehanders). But what is encouraging is that widiin a week G4 was dried out and foiling again before heading to Antigua and more line honours trophies. Tireless
Hydroptère skipper Alain
Thébault will be watching all this foiling of bigger boats widi interest; he lit the way but now there are more and more foiling projects with an eye on oceanic rather than just inshore sailing. The big step now being attempted is to develop an offshore foiler that works effectively - and safely - both on and off its foils. Hydroptère, on the other hand, proved seaworthy and fast when foiling but is less practical when displacement sailing, essendal for serious long-distance passage making. Predictions are dangerous at this stage, but we'd suggest that full foiling offshore will remain a speciahst acdvity for some time yet; but what looks certain is that the L foils which were the consensus solution at the last America's Cup (and are used on the Gunboat G4) will become increasingly popular as a way to reduce 'virmal displacement' on any number of all-round designs with any number of hulls. Exactly as we are about to see playing out with Imoca 60 round-the-world monohulls...
COVER: Jesfis Reneito
INSET: Thierry Martinez
F E A T U R E S
24 (Very) big business
B u i l d i n g and t h e n testing a 7 0 - t o n captive reel w i n c h is n o t s o m e t h i n g f o r the f a i n t o f heart
29 IIAore or less?
R O B W E I L A N D l o o k s at the strides made i n the T P 5 2 class a n d at the l i n e - u p f o r the Super Series
50
Sweet 16
J O C E L Y N B L E R I O T talks t o S E B A S T I E N JOSSE a n d A N T O I N E K O C H about t w o n e w oceanic racers n o w i n the p i p e l i n e f o r G i t a n a T e a m
34 All the king's horses...
J A M E S D A D D l o o k s a t the challenges o f resurrecting Team
Vestas Wind a n d ensuring t h a t the
r e b u i l t V 0 6 5 O D remains i n class
w i t h one-design and J A C K G R I F F I N unravels the mystery o f the ever-changing A m e r i c a ' s C u p Class
12 World news
Gitana w o r k towards f u l l (offshore) flight, F R A N C K G A M M A S welcomes the 'budget' A C , m i x e d signals as N e w Z e a l a n d 'backs' Oracle, N I C H O prepares to go a f l o a t (again) and the USA (at last) wakes u p to r o u n d - t h e - w o r l d racing. B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R A^TLKINS, P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , C A R L O S P I C H , D O B B S D A V I S
38 Counterpoint
A r e we chasing the A m e r i c a ' s C u p spectacle i n the best d i r e c t i o n and w h y a f o i l e r M o t h (really) c o u l d be the s o l u t i o n . . . D A V E H O L L O M
40 Big task-little time
B R A N D O N L I N T O N concludes his r e v i e w o f the (very) speedy b u i l d o f t h e 1 0 0 - f o o t e r Comanche
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D7 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T8 Update
M i n i escalation, plus T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N has a very special regatta i n A n n a p o l i s , J U L I A N E V E R I T T w o n d e r s a b o u t the c u r r e n t obsession20PaulCayard
A n d a v e r y d i f f e r e n t sailboat race22 IRC column
So w h y a l l the fuss a b o u t transparency? J A M E S D A D D26 ISAF Column
R e a p i n g the r e w a r d s o n a w o r l d w i d e scale N A Z L I I M R E45 Design - Winning formula
P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R catches u p w i t h his o l d b u d d y C H R I S T I A N B O U R O U L L E C at Structures Shipyard t o t a l k a b o u t t w o o f the c o m p a n y ' s r a p i d n e w designs... at least one o f w h i c h has some beds
48 56a/r0r5& build table
- (More) style and performance
G I O V A N N I C E C C A R E L L I is w o r k i n g o n a f o l l o w - u p t o his h i g h l y successful N E O 3 5 0
52
Seahorse regdXiBi
calendar
54 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
71 Sailor ofthe Month
Behind the scenes... b u t t i m e f o r some r e c o g n i t i o n
A glance at the sheeting angle of these Maxl72 Jibs explains the odd look of > main booms " trimmed s o ^ far above a centreline. || With s u c h a narrow slot, 'traveller down' Is not an option until It howls. Getting the main out of the way of the Jib Is now more Impor-tant In terms of VMG than a bit of extra drag from the foot of the main being to weather
(UontentsyiPffHBga
Trompe I'oeil can float
One-design keelboats have been the key to keeping yacht racing going through the rating and economic dislocations of the past 15-20 years. But while many former grand prix racers switched -not always seamlessly - into the new format others irassed the individualism that could find an outlet drrough a custom project. Those lucky enough to have been acrive through the heady days of the Admiral's Cup, Kenwood and Southern Cross Cups, plus the numerous well-subscribed Ton Cups, will recall, as well as some pretty wild boat designs those equally flamboyant colour schemes. Not today's mulutudinous white one-designs with the odd daring stripe, but boats hke Germany's Siidpack (Google it) which hfted irony to a new level. In today's design-led culture our boats are frankly often very boring to the eye; that is no one's fault, in a fleet of white one-designs only an idiot chooses anodier colour - kiss goodbye to brave starts. It seems, however, that die odd bit of flair is coming back, hand in hand with a modest revival of interest in custom boats typified by the successful relaunch of the TP52s, of wliich the exquisitely decorated Platoon (pictured) is one example. The famously quizzical response from Blue
Yankee owner and Admiral's
Cup competitor Bob Towse, when his team proposed a one-design for next season, 'spend all the money and only get to choose the colour?', was representative ofa whole generation of grand prix owners who enjoyed all of the 'game' and not just the racing. If a few should now retum, and some new faces are anracted by the increased expression again on offer then, inch by inch, others doors may (finally) start to open up again
COVER: Ingrid Abery
INSET: Ainhoa Sancliez
F E A T U R E S
27 Dream Start
E i g h t b r a n d new c u s t o m - b u i l t g r a n d p r i x racers (and one 2 0 1 4 - t n r b o ) w e n t t o the l i n e i n Valencia. R O B W E I L A N D has p l e n t y t o be p r o u d a b o u t
28 Levelling the pitch
B A R T e c h n i c a l D i r e c t o r A N D Y C L A U G H T O N helps b r i n g ' p r o p e r ' r a c i n g t o the superyacht fleet
30 Some family
T h e Melges sailing d y n a s t y is w i t h o u t p a r a l l e l . B I L L G O G G I N S a n d D A V E D E C K E R catch u p w i t h a l l three o f the m o s t recent g e n e r a t i o n s . . .36 A lateral question
There's m o r e to f o i l i n g t h a n meets t h e eye... as K E V I N E L L W A Y a n d A L A N S M I T H e x p l a i n t o A N D Y R I C Ef o r m a t just g r e w again and B O B F I S H E R is a l l i n favoin- o f San Francisco's 12 M e t r e contest
14 World news
Those scows (finally) take another step f o r w a r d , it's the Jules V e r n e f o r F R A N C I S J O Y O N , b i r t h o f the Collectif U l t i m , new K i w i speedster ( f o r A u s t r a l i a . . . ) , T O M A D D I S returns to the fray a n d a closer l o o k at M R E H M A N ' S latest plans... B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R W I L K I N S , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , C A R L O S P I C H , D O B B S D A V I S
22 Rod Davis
Is busy h o m e m a k i n g i n B e r m u d a . . .24 ORG column
D O B B S D A V I S40 Improving the breed
L i t t l e is h e a r d these days o f D I C K C A R T E R , one o f the m o s t i n f l u e n t i a l o f f s h o r e designers o f t h e m o d e r n era. B u t l i f e s d l l o f f e r s p l e n t y o f interest, as C A R T E R e x p l a i n s t o J O H N R O U S M A N I E R E
R E G U L A R S
4 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D7 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T8 Update
A very special A u s t r a l i a n ( t h o u g h reclaimed by L o n d o n f o r a l l the g o o d bits), T M J E F F E R E Y remembers A L A N B O N D a n d the events leading u p t o the 1983 C u p M a t c h . Plus the 2 0 1 7 C u p
25 ISAF Column
J O H N C R A I G a n d c o n t i n u i n g i m p r o v e m e n t s t o the Sailing W o r l d C u p44 Design-Cracking effort
S T E P H A N B O D E N and A L E X V R O L I J K have come u p w i t h s o m e t h i n g e x t r e m e l y special46 S e a t e d build table
-Moving (swiftly) on
F o i l - i n n o v a t o r I A N W A R D continues o n the t r a i l o f the f a s t , manageable a n d a f f o r d a b l e f o i l e r50
SeahorseregdAtA
calendar
52 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N71 Sailor Ofthe Month
M i g h t y achievements... p l e n t y o f significance
Left/above: the Innovative Dick
Carter 39-footer Red Rooster wHh lifting keel and rudder w a s central to the USA victory at the 1969 Admiral's Cup In Cowes. Carter knew C o w e s well, having won the 1965 Fastnet on his breakthrough 34ft Rabbit {far left) and racing the 1967 Admiral's C u p on Rabbit 2
C lymnih'
S e p t e m t j e r 2 0 1 5
Second life
Former Whitbread and Figaro race winner Lionel Péan has breathed new life into Ken Read's last Volvo steed, the VO70 Mar Mostro, with his latest SFS Maxi progranmie. Péan's objecüve is simple: win as many major races as possible, for now primarily in the Mediterranean, wliile also breaking lots of monohull records. The SFS campaign began with the purchase and initial preparadon of Ian Walker's previous unloved black VO70 from die 2011-12 Volvo race, before that boat was destroyed in a yard fire in Italy last winter. Péan quickly secured Mar Mostro to fill in and so far has been gathering silverware wherever he goes. One of the indefatigable figures from the legendary era of French ocean racmg, he just keeps popping back up when most of his peers are taking life a httle easier, cruising or working ashore as campaign advisers and T V pundits. Lionel Péan's backstory includes numerous mu ItihuU adventures, as well as taking that historic overall handicap win in die rough 1985-86 Whitbread on the pretty litde Briand-designed L'Esprit
d'Eqiiipe (a boat that was so
French that it is claimed that 30 years later it has sdll not been possible to remove all of the nicotine stains from her interior). Most of the later VO70s have found a life since the Volvo race moved on to one designs; remarkable when you reflect how challenging, and how expensive, these boats are to maintain. By their third lap in 2011-12 most of the big issues with canting-keel systems and structural deficiencies had been worked out, but nevertheless these remain incredibly powerful boats with maintenance demands to match. Blunt instruments tliat are still awe-inspiring to sail, their like may never be seen again
COVER (BOTH):
Gilies MartinRaget
F E A T U R E S
4 Very different animals...
- Y A N N G U I C H A R D has been very busy indeed r* and F R A N g O I S G A B A R T enjoys Lake Geneva • •
30 The definition of refined
Project manager M I C K Y C O S T A talks t o class manager R O B W E I L A N D a b o u t the detail developments t h a t have gone i n t o this year's latest crop o f Super Series TP52s
32 Winter sun (and wind)
W h y E F G Sailing A r a b i a - T h e T o u r is increasing its a t t r a c t i o n as a well-organised w i n t e r w a r m - u p
34 Big toys and big ideas
K E N N Y R E A D is best described as p r o l i f i c . M a x i racer, V o l v o a n d C u p racer, one-design c h a m p i o n , senior industry f i g u r e . . . time to catch up
40 DSS gives you wings
H U G H W E L B O U R N a n d G O R D O N ICAY describe the e v o l u t i o n o f the increasingly m a i n s t r e a m DSS concept
44 Real progress
A N D Y R I C E talks t o J O H N C R A I G and W I L L H O W D E N a b o u t R i o 2 0 1 6 i n general a n d a b o u t the N a c r a 1 7 c a t a m a r a n class i n p a r t i c u l a r
46 For the fun ofthe thing
T i m e t o celebrate the 9 0 t h Fastnet anniversary - vvith the h e l p o f some o f the 1925 c o m p e t i t o r s
R E G U L A R S
C Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D9 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T18 Update
P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R o n L A U R E N T B O U R G N O N , J A C K G R I F F I N o n the l i m i t e d A C 4 8 design options, T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N chases breeze... and w h y such f r a g i l e I M T o n n e r s i "14 World news
C A M M A S ' s C u p campaign gets r o l l i n g , Figaro Race controversy, back to the f u t u r e w i t h PETER
LESTER, successful O R C W o r l d s , A L A N B O N D . . . the f u l l story a n d big new plans
f o r K e y West. B L U E R O B I N S O N , I V O R W I L K I N S , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , C A R L O S P I C H , D O B B S D A V I S
24PaulCayard
H a v e w e lost s o m e t h i n g i m p o r t a n t ?^
26 ISAF column
W i t h s o l i d investment the T V coverage o f s a i l i n g is o n l y g e t t i n g better - G A R Y J O B S O N
28 IRC Column
Be c a r e f u l w h a t y o u w i s h f o r . J A M E S D A D D
50 Design-Sticky Stuff
Feather-light p r o d u c t , strength b y the t o n n e . P I E T R O P A R M E G G I A N I
52 56d/ror5e build table
- F a s t and funky
T h e best w a y t o describe the latest f r o m F R E D B A R R E T T a n d B R E T T V A N M U N S T E R . . .
56
Seahorse
regatta calendar
58 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
75 Sailor ofthe Month
A n d a feather i n b o t h o f their V o l v o Race caps
Inset: when t h e V O 7 0 s appeared In 2005 some designers tried to achieve a flush seal at the canting keel head with sliding plates; definitely not a s u c c e s s . Meanwhile, Juan K went for a simple hollow, retained for the V065S and seen here on Alvlmedica. Fine toys... {left) on the now refitted Mirabella V
1
(
C o n t e n t s
O c t o b e r 2 0 1 5
Glamourl
The spectacle ofa flood of famous big boats arriving in the Solent to race this sunmier was only dented siighdy by rvvo of the favoured Maxi 72s pulling out of the Fastnet; rhat said, owners and crews probably looked back at their decision with relief given that the 90th anniversary ediuon of the race was the slowest in recent memory. The Fastnet course often delivers periods of cahn, 1991 and 1995 spring to mind, but rarely can one of the great classic races ever have suffered such a long and unbroken case of the slows. Early in the race the 2015 Fastnet looked like a potential walkover for the biggest boats, with the sUppery and nimble pocket-maxi Rambler often leading the I R C standings and threatening to slide away. But although at one point the margm to the Uailing fleet was over lOOnm, once a httle wind had started to help the biggest boats ghde into Plymouth so the breeze was gently filling in for those small boats that had broken out of the morass of boats behind. Hence it became odds-on that French offshore 'spéciahste' Géty Trentesaux (pgl4) could well notch up yet another R O R C race win -having won almost everything else this year - and deliver a second consecutive Faswet win for Jean-Pierre Kelbert's Bréton shipyard JPK. And it was not just Trentesaux flying the tricolour away at the front... die2015Fastoet %vas a complete French walkover. Eight boats in the top 10 hailed from the other side of La Manche, widi an incredible 20 boats in the top 40 on corrected time. The RORC's offshore races have been attracting big international entries throughout 2015 -offshore racing remainmg the most popular form of regular big boat racing in northern Europe - but les damned Froggies are still ahead...
COVER: Ingrid Abery
INSET: Osl<arKlldborg
F E A T U R E S
4 The place to be
T h i s year's Y a c h t R a c i n g F o r u m is set to take place beside Lake Geneva - very a p p r o p r i a t e !
28 A definite thumbs up
Super-close, super-tough racing; this year's T P 5 2 w o r l d c h a m p i o n s h i p saw some w e l c o m e n e w faces o n the p o d i u m . R O B W E I L A N D
30
Imoca spreads its wings
B u i l d i n g one-design rigs f o r the toughest racers o n earth demands considerable c o n c e n t r a t i o n . . . \ T N C E N T M A R S A U D O N talks w i t h J O C E L Y N B L E R I O T
32
None too shabby
ICAROL JABLONSia's racing C V is n o t only
remarkable i n v o l u m e b u t i t is also f a r f r o m t y p i c a l
38 A lateral question - Part II
K E V I N E L L W A Y and A L A N S M I T H develop their a r g u m e n t against J f o i l s w i t h A N D Y R I C E
40 First semester
T h e V 0 6 5 s came t h r o u g h their f i r s t test p r e t t y w e l l , but m u c h was learnt t o be p u t i n t o technical refinements before the n e x t race. JA^^ES D A D D
44 Too good to miss
B I L L C A N F I E L D makes a f o r m i d a b l e case f o r l o o k i n g a t a w i n t e r p r o g r a m m e i n the C a r i b b e a n
R E G U L A R S
6 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D9 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S TT E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N dodges the calms o f t h e Irish Sea, J A C K G R I F F I N puts the f i r s t A C W o r l d Series i n t o perspective and R O B W E I L A N D assesses the f i r s t season f o r the n e w M a x i 7 2 class
14 World news
The m i g h t y Courrier, a successful T o u r s w i t c h to D i a m 24s, A S H B Y takes charge as D A L T S
consolidates, Italy's latest V e n d é e Globe challenger, C H I N K L O N G L E Y o n 1980
bendy r i g s . . . plus Transpac w i t h a twist. I V O R W I L I O N S , B L U E R O B I N S O N , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , G I U L I A N O L U Z Z A T T O and DOBBS D A V I S
22 Rod Davis
H a u l i n g y o u r s e l f back up o f f the canvas
24 ISAF column
A r e t u r n t o Sanya... a n d w i t h p l e n t y t o discuss
26 ORC Column
Fast boats t o the f o r e - b u t n o t h i n g is t h a t simple
42 Design - Straight out ofthe box
M A T T E O P O L L I ' s instant c h a m p i o n !
Ad
SeahorsehuMtahle
- Doping the ante
T h e latest designer t o enter the W a l l y C e n t o m a r k e t is F r e n c h t a l e n t P H I L I P P E B R I A N D
52 5eaAor5e regatta calendar
54 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N
75 Sailor ofthe Month
First-time w i n n e r a n d r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g c h a m p i o n Lively times at the R Y S bicentennial. Remember when people claimed (with Justification) that a good IRC boat leaned, shall we s a y , towards the less exciting end of yacht design; well, things have changed, wilh dominance by t h e T P 5 2 s (also In O R C , by the way) and by other aggressively light designs - especially higher up the size scale
IrfiliUji^jl!
November 2015
F E A T U R E S
4 The quest is on
T h e M i r a b a u d Y a c h t R a c i n g Image a w a r d , T o m -V o i l e s ' w r a p u p a n d Spindrift 2 i n the blocks. B E R N A R D S C H O P F E R
Awesome
Not a word we use lightly or often, and not in this instance referring to the ability of the new Imoca 60s to employ lift foils to reduce their 'virtual' displacement. No, what prompts us to use 'that' word is the resihence of the Imoca 60 class. As budgets began to crank up ahead of the 2008 Vendée Globe, and with more new laimches than ever before, things soon began to look precarious for the premier solo fleet. From€1.5niilhon fora new boat, the teams were now talking about at least €3million per annum to run a comperitive campaign. As expected (and in a weaker economy), new launches duly dipped for die 2012 Vendée and there was concern for the future. But the Vendée Globe is a unique event, with a pubhc profile big enough to justify today's even larger - but not insane - budgets. The Imoca start at this year's Fastnet race was impressive, though the latest flying-boats did not have enough wind to really shine. Good for the class that in mixed condidons the last generation are remaining comperitive, though that may change as the average breeze increases. Six similar new Imoca 60s are going afloat for the next race ensuruig more strength in depth than ever. The Vendée now stands alone as a race around the planet that still encourages diverse technical innovation (until the 100-foot tri class comes on song) and so the next edition will be as exciting as any round the world race that has gone before it. Incredibly fast boats, brilhant skippers and plenty of hungry new faces on proven existing boats ready to pick up the pieces should the favourites stumble. Commercially, adventure always triunps racing, but the 2016 Vendée Globe promises an abundance of both
COVER: Thierry
Martinez
INSET: Daniel Forster
34 And now the grand finale
Class manager R O B ^X'TIILAND takes a stab at s p o t t i n g the best ( a n d n o t so best) features o f this year's T P 5 2 fleet
36 The Ullman magic
- P a r t i
D A V E U L L M A N ' s three-time w o r l d c h a m p i o n 4 7 0 c r e w T O M L I N S K E Y delves i n t o the archives
40 Pedalling fast
B A R Technical D i r e c t o r A N D Y C L A U G H T O N sets o u t some o f the tasks ahead f o r his team
43 Does length matter?
N o t as m u c h as i t d i d a n d n o t as m u c h as w e m i g h t s t i l l t h i n k says J U A N K O U Y O U M D J I A N
46 A lateral question - Part III
K E V I N E L L W A Y , A L A N S M I T H a n d A N D Y R I C E b r i n g us the s t o r y o f the V a m p i r e
R E G U L A R S
6 Commodore's letter
M I C H A E L B O Y D9 Editorial
A N D R E W H U R S T11 Update
M a x i 7 2 w o r l d c h a m p i o n t a c t i c i a n (sounds good!) T E R R Y H U T C H I N S O N has a g o o d m o n t h , J A C K G R I F F I N o n the increasing pace o fA C 4 5 F . . . and n o w A C 5 0 development. B u t F R E D E R I C O P I N H E I R O is n o t impressed
16 World news
C a n G E R Y T R E N T E S A U X be beaten (offshore), a m o r e international M i n i Transat, M a c h 4 0 . 3 debut, 25-and-counting w i t h V A S C O V A S C O T T O , Quarter T o n news (and not f r o m Cowes), G R A N T S I M M E R o n 'that' C u p w i n , above average at
H a m i l t o n Island and new o f f s h o r e
attractions in the USA. I V O R W I L K I N S , B L U E R O B I N S O N , P A T R I C E C A R P E N T I E R , G I U L I A N O L U Z Z A T T O and D O B B S D A V I S
28PaulGavard
Sometimes i t ' s fastest t o l i f t o f f a l i t t l e30 IRC column
W e i g h i n g some v e r y b i g boats... J A M E S D A D D32 ISAF Column
N o t perfect b u t c e r t a i n l y g e t t i n g there - R i o 2 0 1 648 RORC news
E D D I E W A R D E N - O W E N49 Design-All change
G e t t i n g b e h i n d closed doors w i t h those sometimes mysterious r a t i n g calculations...
52 build table
-Light or heavy?
I n d e e d , is there (at last) a design crossover o c c u r r i n g between the O R C i a n d I R C systems ... o r is i t a l l a b o u t t h e weather? D O B B S D A V I S
56 regatta calendar
75 Sailor ofthe Month
H o w m a n y titles, h o w m a n y o f f s h o r e victories?
Giant and powerful honey monster she may be but the
Comanche build would do credit to the finest Dragon. The man hours needed to complete the composite work for that hinged track alone boggle the mind. Note too the Inward cant angle of the straight daggerboard - no doubt lo ^ be swapped In g due course for ^ something a f little more g curvy 5
iij.iaj;!;^/.^
D e c e m b e r
2ÖÏ5
F E A T U R E S
28 From the top
The Maxi72s have come of age and the TP52s...
three years ahead of the curve! ROB WEILAND
Brighter... may dazzle
After several seasons of
fluctuating regatta entries,
interest in racing proper big
boats is on the rise. From
TP52s up to 100-foot plus
supermaxis, more boats are
being built and more owners
are back on the campaign
trail. There is also an
encouraging if gentle pick-up
in smaller one-off IRC designs
making their way into the
Seahorse Build Table, though
this is compromised siighdy by
today's irritating obsession
with secrecy - hard to keep
secret the building of a racing
yacht, yet too many people for
oirr taste pressure designers
and builders to stay schtum.
Privacy and Superyachts we
totally get, privacy and a
raid-size raceboat confuse!
Anyway... many readers will
remeraber the predictions of
doom for the TP52 class less
than hvo years ago; 'had their
time', 'good boats but it's
over' and so on. Well they
were all wrong, as Rob
Weiland and his gang steered
a real grand prix class into a
new era, recruiting as they
went. Similarly, but obviously
growing more slowly, the
Maxi72s are now breeding
and already dehver very high
quaHty competidon, not at the
TP52 level but steadily getting
there; the prospect of seven
or eight Maxi72s reaching the
weather mark overlapped
TP52-style and at full chat is
as exciting as it is scary.
Finally, raore 'medium' size
Superyachts are now joining in
the fun at big regattas, which
is good news all round; this
size of boat sails relatively
better than its much larger
cousins and is also sufficiently
manoeuvrable to dispense
with staggered-start pursuit
racing in favour of proper
shared startlines. More real
raceboats and more properly
raceable large cruiser-racers
are today visibly bulking up
events like the Maxi Worlds.
In fact it may all be startmg
to look rather good...
COVER: Ingrid Abery
INSET: lan Roman
31 The Ullman magic-Part II
More championships (now with lead attached)
and sailing blindfold offshore. T O M LINSKEY
34 A moment to reflect
T I M JEFFERY and a fascinating
introduction to the new America's
Cup establishment'
40 The Machete manifesto
With generous foresight DAVID
'Son of Cogito' CLARK has just about
persuaded us to get out the chequebook
Now see what you think...
43 Moving on
The first 10 years have flashed by; now there are
not one but two new foiling cats on the horizon
for the Extreme Sailing Series. ANDY TOURELL
R E G U L A R S
^Commodore's letter
MICHAEL BOYD
7 Editorial
ANDREW HURST
8 Update
JACK GRIFFIN on the oil crisis hitting the AC50s,
TERRY HUTCHINSON gives the nod to a good
(young) man, a cruel month for Italy's ANDREA
MURA, welcome back SORC, plus HERBERT
PEARCEY and not flying on modern aeroplanes
14 World news
Twenty (sic) Imoca 60s come out to play, MARC
VAN PETEGHEM on moustaches, first 100ft solo
tri gets rolling, the prolific JIM YOUNG, SANDY
OATLEY and those not so minor changes to The
Oats... plus approaching the end of the tunnel.
IVOR WILKINS, BLUE ROBINSON, PATRICE
CARPENTIER, CARLOS PICH, DOBBS DAVIS
22 Rod Davis
ISAF, Rio 2016 and why things are not
always as simple as they sometimes
appear'from the outside
24 ORC column
Good progress, but is the ORC rule yet
io be tested in anger? DOBBS DAVIS
'
26 ISAF Column
And why empty fuel cans will no longer meet
offshore flotation regulations. STAN HONEY
47 Design - Wings work!
Many words have already been spoken but in
Argentina NICOLAS GOLDENBERG and a
strong technical team have been busy turning
some of those words into deeds...
50
SeahorsebwM
table - Forza!
And MATTEO POLLI has come up with the
latest iteration of the Itahan racer-cruiser model
54 5 e a t e e regatta calendar
56 RORC news
EDDIE WARDEN-OWEN
75 Sailor ofthe Month
Tenacious... and generous
, 1
T h e Herreshoff Airiferica's C u p winner Reliance s p e e d s pastThè^Brentón Reef lightship iiï 1903. T h i s extraordinary design w a s the biggest of the A m e r i c a ' s C u p giants, measuring a m a j e s t i c 201ft L O A but just 90ft o n the waterline - a s per the Deed of Gift. B u t look how easily Reliance's waterline I n c r e a s e s with heel - here s h e i s already using nearly all of her hull Length t p ^ e h i e v e iotimidating perfptmance
