Herding cats… trying to organise a good regatta for a fleet as diverse as today’s Maxis. Scallywag is the former Ragamuffin 100 of the late Syd Fischer. The brand new Wally 101 Y3K could not be more different with every creature comfort and sailing systems to allow her to be raced by a bare handful of crew. Neither boat did particularly well at the recent Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: Scallywag brought up the rear in the highly competitive 10-boat IRC-scored Maxi 1 start (won by the 100ft Leopard 3), while the 101ft Y3K struggled in her five-boat ORCsy-scored Supermaxi debut (won by the J-Class yacht Svea). Two very different fabulous 100-footers racing in different starts against very different boats under different rating systems since the Maxi 1-Supermaxi split is set at 100ft…
same cream will then rise to the top again. The only real change might be that it will be the top of a mountain that is shrinking, as not all will follow changes decided for them by others. And the bigger the yachts the smaller the potential interest.
go with the flow and discuss, and where possible accommodate, step-by-step improvement, seeking understanding if not support along the way. Which will often feel like going around in circles (certainly for those with a good memory).
At the top level, handicap racing is the most expensive form of yacht racing, as not only are there few boundaries for equipment optimisation, but also the rating authorities will constantly move the VPP and rule goalposts as they address new loopholes. Not all doom and gloom, though, as many enjoy this cat and mouse game in which the rule authorities more often feel like the mouse than the cat. And they’d better be the mouse, only one can be the cat if this game is to last… The boat owner.
However, no matter how critical boat owners may be of the rules and how much some like the cat and mouse game with rule authorities, and tinkering with their boats, not many appreciate large rule changes. Rule stability is the holy grail to keep the existing fleet interested and also to create the confidence required to build new and join in. Large rule changes, requiring re-optimisation if not building new, provide a new puzzle to owners, sailors, designers and manufac- turers, but do not change the fact that some are better with puzzles than others. It might take time, it will take a lot of money, but the
But to illustrate what can be achieved with well-orchestrated rule development, the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe since the first race in 1989/90 will start on 10 November from Les Sables d’Olonne, France. Forty (40!) solo skippers from 10 countries are expected at the start that day for their non-stop unassisted around- the-globe challenge, including no fewer than 13 new boats, most of them equipped with the very latest foil designs, and six female entrants, among them potential podium finishers Sam Davies of Great Britain and Justine Mettraux of Switzerland. Fifteen sailors will make their Vendée Globe debut this time, including the youngest in the fleet, 23-year-old French skipper Violette Dorange. Three are making their fourth appearance: Sam Davies, Arnaud Boissières and Yannick Bestaven. Then a deep bow to Jean Le Cam, the oldest in the fleet at 65, for his sixth! I know, box-rule, unique challenge, loads of interest and sponsors easy to find… But the first edition only attracted 13 entries. Now in 2024 there are huge budget variations and as many opinions on how to progress with rule optimisation as there are skippers. Many will start with no chance of getting anywhere near the podium, finishing the race their main target. All will get applause. I will follow you closely: sail fast, sail safe, enjoy. Rob Weiland, TP52 class manager
WHEN RELIABILITY MEANS EVERYTHING
©Marin Le Roux / Pola RYSE/Charal
Structural Engineering and Composite Materials. Charal - IMOCA 60, built with Gurit
RAI Amster See us at METSTRADE, November 19-21, 2024
dam Convention Center, Booth 12.702, SEAHORSE 43
www.gurit.com/marine
INGRID ABERY
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