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Cape 31 Europeans: Success in Sanremo
The Cape 31 European Championships held in Sanremo, Italy were a resounding success, with plenty of breeze ensuring a high quality, high adrenaline event. 21 boats on the start line made this the biggest turnout yet for the growing Cape 31 European fleet, showcasing teams from 12 different countries including Switzerland, Holland, Turkey, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, and the U.K. joining the strong French, German, and Italian turnout.
Over the first couple of days Alessandro Rombelli’s hull 76 Stig Sailing—a brand new boat delivered just a few weeks ago—showed great pace to vie with Christian Schwoerer’s La Pericolosa. On the third day in more moderate conditions Adrien Follin’s hull 05 Give Me Five demonstrated speed with two race wins and a second, while La Pericolosa took the other two bullets for the day, firming up their title challenge..
On Sunday the final race was won by Give Me Five to secure the Corinthian/1 pro prize, but La Pericolosa’s 3rd wrapped up the European title for them. Sanremo was a fabulous venue for the regatta, hosted and run by the Yacht Club Sanremo. With warm weather, good wind, and lots to do off the water this turned out to be one of the best events of the year. The fleet now splits to enjoy winter racing in Monaco, Palma, or the Summer in the South Series in South Africa, while looking forward to next year’s European Series culminating in the 2025 European Championships in Palma.
Balthasar Wins IRC 1 at the Rolex Middle Sea Race
Our IRC 72 Balthasar won IRC Class One, and took fourth overall, in an eventful Rolex Middle Sea Race. With very strong winds and waterspouts on the first day the fleet was tested early on. “The first day was difficult as it was for most boats," commented skipper Louis Balcaen, a veteran of two Volvo Ocean Races. "We had the big squall and then we broke a kite, but otherwise we managed to protect the gear and were able to sail to Messina in a straight line doing 20 knots."
Guided by offshore legends Bouwe Bekking and Stu Bannatyne as conditions lightened being the chasing boat allowed them to follow the progress of the boats ahead. Here Balthasar proved herself in 3-7 knots. "It is very slippery in that. The whole stretch across the north of Sicily we were still in touch with the 100s," said Balcaen.” Over the winter we worked with the team to optimise the boat for this type of offshore, adding water ballast and twin rudders which proved to be very effective. Next stop is the Caribbean 600 where breezy reaching conditions should allow Balthasar to shine.
IC37 For NYYC International Women’s Championships
The New York Yacht Club has announced a new landmark event: the NYYC International Women’s Championship. This regatta is a female-only regatta that will be run in the Club’s fleet of IC37s ensuring the ultimate level playing field. Mills Design drew the IC37 to provide the highest quality fleet racing possible using a fleet of one design boats and sails maintained to the highest racing standard with uniform rig tuning and on-the-water umpiring. Teams of 9 or more sailors are invited to request an invitation regardless of country, yacht club affiliation or amateur status, with the winning skipper receiving a Rolex timepiece.
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