Coal face
Joe Lacey has been based in France for the past few years where he has sailed on many of the best-known French boats that are currently dominating offshore racing under IRC. For 2019 he has moved into the Mini fleet with the aim of winning the Series Division of the Mini Transat on his new production-built David Raison-designed Maxi scow 40 SEAHORSE
Seahorse: First of all, Joe – and before we get on to the Minis – why have French crews been so dominant in modern Fastnets, as well, frankly, as in all the other big RORC offshore races? Joe Lacey: There are just more French owners who are really trying to win. There are some great British teams but they are mainly racing inshore in Fast40s, Dragons, Etchells and J70s – if those owners were French they would be winning offshore IRC races instead. There is no rocket science to it, the French teams buy good offshore boats, pick good amateur crew and put the time and effort into training and learning to sail their boats fast. The pool of top sailors who have come through the Mini and Figaro classes helps as well. SH:What was your introduction to the Mini class and how did you progress that prior to planning the new boat? JL: Quite a few of my French and Italian friends have Minis so I already knew a lot about the class. I’ve been quite successful racing on other people’s IRC boats and the Mini felt like a good step up, as well as being affordable for me. I have a great boat, and I’m now in a position to race and train full time for the season leading up to the start of the Mini Transat in September, so couldn’t be happier.
SH: Is the new boat the first Mini you have owned? JL: Absolutely. SH: So when did your collaboration with scow designer David Raison first evolve? JL: Several years ago I was discussing an IRC scow project with David on behalf of a client when we also started talking about his idea for a Series Mini. Unfortunately the IRC scow never went ahead (although I’m still convinced it’s a good idea), but the Minis are now rolling out of the IDB yard. SH:What are the basics of investing in the new ‘series’ scow? JL: A brand new boat – ready to win – with a trailer and safety gear and the best electronics and sails you can buy, costs 100,000 euros. Running costs are fairly low as it’s 21ft long and there are a lot of restrictions in place to keep it affordable. The big issue is time for training – the guys at the top of the Series Division are doing it full time – so you need to have saved up some money or have a sponsor. SH:Maybe you can compare these points, including expense, to previous Series programmes... and to a Proto campaign. JL: The Proto Division is as close as you can get to an open class. There are rules on length, and stability for safety reasons, but otherwise you can almost build whatever
PHOTOS CHRISTOPHE BRESCHI
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