Update
priority is the venues and the calendar, while always ensuring the best possible competition. Not everyone is ever 100 per cent happy with the decisions, but the results speak for themselves. The new circuit started in 2013 and since then the number of boats has been growing and consolidating – now around 10 boats feels about right. For potential new owners the problem can be more the level of the fleet than the money required. We know there are potential owners of TP52s who are very nervous about the team structures we have now and the level of equipment and expertise that is needed to be competitive. Some choose other less demanding options even if they need similar or even greater budgets.
The competition now is much more intense. Previously, with 20 boats there were two or three that dominated and the rest just went along, with occasional moments of glory but without a serious chance of winning. Now there are three or four very strong teams, but any of today’s teams could have won this series a few years ago due to the very high level of competition we have now. On Matadorwe started in 2007 with two vans and a 7m tender. Today the vans have been swapped for multiple containers and the tenders are 12m; in addition the teams all have big shore teams including physiotherapists and a chef. SH: How do you see the future of the circuit? GP: I think all the owners are happy and want to continue. The circuit is very well organised and has positive inertia with the same PRO and juries, plus a calendar that is always confirmed well in advance. It has a very high level, very equal boats, a competitive fleet and excellent sailors… Honestly I do not think there is another series like it. With a minimum of 10 boats a great future is assured. It is a pity that the America’s Cup has opted for foiling boats, because if not there would be more Cup teams using Super Series as a platform for their campaigns. But we cannot regret something that is not in our hands. The challenge is to take the next steps. The class rule is already almost exhausted, but we should not chase for big changes or these boats will be obsolete. We have to be smart. SH: An optimal number of boats? GP: Between 10 and 15. With 10 boats we have excellent competition and more than 15 would complicate things in terms of the infrastructure needed ashore. There are already many good venues that can’t offer us the space for so many boats, containers, tenders, and so on. The ideal would be 12, 13 or 14, because that would ensure the circuit maintained its level even if one year a few boats were lost. SH: Do you ever consider adding a second class – as there was in the MedCup? GP: Not really, although some classes like the new Melges 40 have suggested it. The problem is many sailors compete in both classes. We considered the possibility of the Melges 40 sailing the first days and then the TP52, but it did not bring any synergy or cost savings. The GC32 cats were considered, but that meant duplicating the organisation on the water. For now it is not on the agenda.
SH: Finally, the tricky question… is Quantum Racing the stone in Azzurra’s shoe? GP: Quantum is a very serious team. For them the circuit is a tool and a platform of development and marketing as sailmakers. They put everything out there, they do not skimp on resources. They have unlimited capacity to make sails, try ideas and have the advantage that their manufacturing system is faster than North’s. But we must not forget that they are very very good sailors. For us it is a source of pride to be close to them… and that we have beaten them over three seasons! Guillermo Parada was talking to Carlos Pich
q SNAPSHOTS Brought to you in association with
The second Rhum in 1982 saw the first big multihulls appear including Eugène Riguedel’s 27m (then) giant William Saurin. The race was won by Flying Dutchman silver medallist Marc Pajot (above) on his 20m Langevin-designed aluminium cat Elf Aquitainein a time of 18 days… at an average speed of 8kt
14 SEAHORSE
l Putin… terrified? l Ukraine… is trying to have Russia thrown out of World Sailing l What’s… the worst that can happen? l Still poor… still winning l Overall winner… of the 2018 GC32 Tour was Franck – ‘not Groupama’ – Cammas l Not great… for the family l The living… space on Charalis under 4m2 l 70,000… man-hours to put your not-cruiser together l Max design… speed 40kt l You’d get… to the restaurant pretty fast l Coming good… the rather weird-looking Hubo(issue 460) l Crushed it… at the Dutch IRC Nationals l And of course… Ránalso crushed it at the final 2018 round of the Fast40s l Killer move… SailGP plans live broadcast of comms (allowed) between coach and sailors during racing l In a hurry… Artemis Technologies have opened their sophisticated new facility in Belfast l Among early plans… a zero-emissions 45m passenger ferry l Plus… lots of other good stuff l Including refining… their foiler-cat simulator that is already leading the field l BTW… plentiful government grants going in Belfast l Just… saying l How keen… are they l On this… racing thing? l Only… 30 kiteboarders turned up for the 2018 North Americans l We… told ya l The… 180th UFO foiler-for-the-people was delivered at the end of September (issue 464) l A round million… plus Nathan Outteridge plus a second Italian Cup team? l Would… be good l As would… the million bucks they’re offering the boy to come play l Let’s see… shall we l No!!!! The god of owner-whisperers Cameron Appleton did notwin the 2018 RC44 Worlds, the honour going to Team Nika and tactician Dean Barker l Cheeky… two-time Finn Gold Cup winner and Star gold medallist Freddy Lööf swung by and won this year’s OK Worlds in Germany l Last one… left? l Yvan Bourgnon… brother of the late Laurent is going for the wrong way round record on the old Idectri l 100 days… that’s the goal l Faster faster… faster l Alex… Thomson and Hugo Boss broke their own 24-hour monohull record with a new mark of 539.71nm l Average speed… less than 23kt (22.49) l Taking it easy… were we, Alex? l We’re so… wonderful… l Hope… you all noticed the new edible (surely biodegradable – ed) wrapper your magazine came in? l Shopping… at RaceBoatsOnly l Staying informed… at ScuttlebuttEurope l See ya…
BERNARD RUBINSTEIN/ALEA
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