done well in this respect, with competitors including Franco Niggeler’s very well-known Italian Cookson 50 Kuka 3 coming from as far afield as the Mediterranean. However, Civilise believes there’s
scope for many more: ‘We would be very pleased to have more English teams next time – we hope to have a big flotilla of them and of other foreign boats from further north.’ Despite France’s frequent domination of offshore race results, other teams have a long history of success in the Drheam-Cup. The 2020 race, for instance, saw Sam Goodchild’s first major Figaro 3 victory, while the IRC two-handed podium was an entirely foreign affair comprising Belgian JPK 1030 Expresso and two British Sun Fast 3300s, Gentoo and Leyton. Sam Davies won her first ever solo race in the Imoca class in 2018. Last year Goodchild took victory
again, but this time with his Ocean 50 Leyton. ‘What a fight with Seb (Rogues) and Erwan (Le Roux),’ he told reporters at the finish. ‘Each one had their little moment in front, but fortunately I was the one who got it at the finish. I don’t know what state the others are in, but I’m not fresh at all. What is certain is that I didn’t let go of anything. I’m proud of myself with what I gave. Even on a Figaro stage, I’ve never slept so little.’ Franco Niggeler’s Cookson 50
Kuka 3 won the IRC division, fresh from a victory in the Round Ireland
Right: the fleets all start together but sail different courses from Wolf Rock to La Trinité: 600 miles for IRC and most other classes; 1,000 miles for Class40s, Ocean Fiftys, Imoca 60s and maxi monohulls; 1,500 miles for Ultims
race. ‘This was a very interesting race,’ Niggeler said. ‘We had both little and a lot of wind, especially last night when in the storms we had 35 knots. It was a real Mediterranean climate, very pleasant, but always with wind and a lot of downwind. It’s a wonderful regatta. The weather was great, the race was beautiful, the organisation was great. What more could you ask for! We really want to come back.’ Next year, classic yachts are also
welcome and will race using the IRC vintage rating system. ‘We can give them a separate class with their own ranking,’ says Civilise, ‘and we are hoping to see some beautiful big boats in the fleet.’ How big could the event become?
The only brake on expansion is the ability of the two ports to host the fleet. That’s not a problem in Cherbourg, where there’s plenty of room. La Trinité is more restricted for the very biggest boats, but is able to accommodate so many typical IRC size racing yachts that there will not be pressure to cap entry numbers in the foreseeable future. Another important element, alongside Civilise’s desire to
continue developing the event to attract more boats and a top-quality fleet is the prologue, called the “Drheam-Trophy”, support for the ‘Reve de Large’ opération (Dream of Offshore). This two-hour race before the main event is designed to inspire local children from Cherbourg, who will race on board about 25 boats selected from among the whole fleet. This is clearly a part of the project that’s close to Civilise’s heart as it’s the city where he learnt to sail himself as a teenager. In 2024 the start of themain race
is scheduled on 15 July. However, competitors are welcome earlier and entry fees will include four or five days of berthing in Cherbourg, thanks to the city whosemayor Benoît Arrivé is a big supporter of the event. The prize giving takes place in La Trinité- sur-Mer on Sunday 21 July, where mayor Yves Normand is a keen IRC competitor. Entry fees also include free berthing here until Sunday 2 1 July, encouraging teams to enjoy the port’s wonderful ambience and swap stories of their races. For more information about
the event and how to enter, visit
en.drheam-cup.com
❑ SEAHORSE 85
ALEXIS COURCOUX
THIERRY MARTINEZ
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