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Cape 31 Overall Winner at Voiles de St. Tropez

The first Cape 31 in France, Peter Dubens’ North Star 2 set an unbeatable pace by dominating their 27-boat IRC D class with a scoresheet of 3,1,1,1,1 in perfect St Tropez conditions at Frances most significant IRC event, Les Voiles de St. Tropez. As a result they were awarded the IRC Sword for outstanding IRC performance amongst all 140 competitors in the modern fleet.

North sailmaker Sam Richmond who was sailing on board said, “Fast, fun racing – big smiles all round. We had a bit of luck with courses and conditions but sailed very cleanly against some super competitive IRC boats.” North Star 2’s owner Peter Dubens who controls the North Technology Group of companies including North Sails and Southern Spars brought his Cape 31 to France just to race at Les Voiles, before joining Cape 31 One Design events around the world.

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Wallyño wins Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 class with a day to spare

While in some classes the victors are now close to being decided going into tomorrow’s last race for the 39 maxi yachts at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023, more light conditions off the Cote d’Azur produced some new winners today.

In the southerly breeze, the race once again set sail from Pampelonne Bay, but with the race committee, including the International Maxi Association’s own Ariane Mainemare, sending the bigger maxi classes north towards Fréjus while the leeward mark for Maxi C and D was further west off Issambres, both groups ultimately finishing in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez.

However decisive is the situation in Maxi C where winning with a day to spare is International Maxi Association President Benoît de Froidmont and his 60ft Wallyño who have sewn-up their result, the only Maxi still racing with an unblemished four bullet scoreline.

Having started three up from the pin, Wallyño headed for the mid-left up the beat to stay in optimum pressure and shift. “ Lady First 3 had a tighter layline with two more tacks than us and we managed to roll them at the top, ” recounted tactician Cedric Pouligny. “ After that we had to deal with the bigger boats we were catching. We made a mistake on the final downwind coming into Issambres because we let Lady First 3 go more inshore and we got an extra header that was not expected. They got inside us and caught us but we were still ahead at the mark. ”

Ultimately Wallyño beat Lady First 3 under IRC corrected time by 6 minutes 46 seconds with Marco Tursini’s Advanced 80 Mindfulness third.

Most hotly contested remains Maxi A where today separate battles were raging between the 100 footers and between the former Maxi 72s. Going into tomorrow’s final day three boats are separated by 0.7 points.

Particularly fierce was the contest between the 72ft Cannonball, helmed by her new owner Peter Harrison, and Peter Dubens’ North Star. After a start from Pampelonne Bay (following a short delay) in a 6 knot southerly, North Star led for most of the race, but approaching the leeward mark off Fréjus Cannonball was able to engage, forcing North Star to tack just short of the mark, although Peter Dubens’ team still managing to gain the inside berth at the mark, rounding with Cannonball just inches outside her.

Cannonball’s tactician Vasco Vascotto admitted that he’d made a few mistakes early on the downwind to Fréjus due to “too much rosé [on yesterday’s layday]!” But then: “ We had the opportunity to recover and to fight a little bit and then it became a little closer. It wasn’t a proper match – if it had been that, I promise you there would have been a lot of carbon around the bay! But the relationship between the other 72 footers is really good – so no problem. ”

Ultimately North Star prevailed, finishing just over a minute ahead of Cannonball, but with the former Maxi 72s only just making the podium today.

Finally scoring a bullet today was Wendy Schmidt’s 82ft Deep Blue, bouncing back after a start line collision with a rib on Wednesday had caused enough damage to put them out of that race (for which they received redress). Today they bounced back stronger than ever to take the Maxi A class bullet, elevating them to third overall behind Cannonball and North Star.

Winning on the water today was Chris Flowers’ 100ft Galateia, which finished second 1 minutes 10 seconds behind Deep Blue under IRC corrected time, despite having been locked in combat with Karel Komarek’s similarly-sized V (ex-Tango) for much of the race. “ We were glued together – super close, ” observed Galateia tactician Murray Jones.  

Of their race the America’s Cup legend continued: “ All the boats were quite early on the start, but we sailed well off the line, which saved us. When we came across y3k had done a nice job, tacking early to get across to the right. We did a strong leebow [tack] on her and then fortunately the wind lifted us about 8° and we laid from where we were, which was a little lucky .”

Many gains were to be made from playing the topography-induced shifts, although at one point V found more pressure offshore and when they reconvened with the fleet she had done well. Galateia led around the leeward mark and at the finish off Saint-Tropez (in the best breeze of the day – around 10 knots) was first home, two minutes 20 seconds ahead on the water.

In Maxi B the unbroken string of wins for Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra came to an end with the Chinese-Canadian’s team third behind her seven-year-younger sistership, Sven Wackerhagen’s Rose and Thomas Biton’s 72ft Aragon.

“ We didn’t make mistakes today, ” explained Rose’s Danish tactician Jesper Radich. “ We started well and had a significant lead at the first mark and were the first to gybe on the first corner where there was a massive 23° shift. So we came out on a lift and then we started to get rolled downwind [by the faster boats] and it is always hard to evaluate what is the winning pattern when you are losing! But we stayed cool – then on the last upwind we got the breeze we needed and then could stretch our legs a bit and get back at Aragon and win the race. ”

Generally of their week Radich said: “ We have consistently started strong. This team has a long way to go, so when it becomes really difficult we pay quite a price because we are not an experienced team and we don’t have the same super-optimised set-up as Lyra does, so we have to sail close to our optimum to beat them. But today we managed that pretty well. ”

Finally in Maxi D Jurg Schneider’s Swan 65 Saida scored her second bullet of the series. However Matteo Fossati’s 64ft Stella Maris still leads overall. Jerome Bataillard’s Shipman 63 Sao Bernardo was third today behind Stella Maris.

“ It was perfect conditions for Saida, ” said Schneider. “ We had a good start and on the gennaker hoist we did a good job.” Being substantially the lowest rated in Maxi D it is easy to know when his 50-year-old ketch is doing well – he simply needs competitors to be astern and two were today. This does mean that tomorrow it will be hard for them to engage and make much impression on the faster Stella Maris. “Our goal is to have a third win tomorrow, ” concluded Schneider.  

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, part of the French Sailing Federation, in collaboration with the city of Saint-Tropez, the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the support of the Yacht Club de France. It is the final event of the IMA’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

4 October 2023

Big breeze for Lyra and Wallyño at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023

While Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 is renowned for its lazy autumnal breezes, today the crews of the 39 maxi yachts competing in the Bay of Pampelonne braced themselves for a well-forecast pummelling with winds that built into the mid-20s allowing the faster boats to hit 20+ speeds.

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is organised by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, part of the French Sailing Federation, in collaboration with the city of Saint-Tropez, the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the support of the Yacht Club de France. It is the final event of the IMA’s 2023 Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

Predictions were that the big breeze, coming after two lighter days, might upset the results. However in two of the four classes this proved not to be the case with Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra scoring her third bullet of the regatta in Maxi B, as did IMA President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wallyño in Maxi C.

For de Froidmont this came as a slight surprise as his slippery silver 60 footer is known for her light weather performance, while her wily crew have to rely more on their extensive offshore experience when the breeze is up. As he explained: “It was not the conditions for the boat, because it was quite windy and we had some technical problems before the start – we broke the electronics, so we were having to sail old style – just based on ‘feel’ – but it was quite fun.

“ Compared to the rest of the fleet we were very happy with the boat’s performance. The target was to sail safe. Breeze with no waves is quite rare here. ”

Today, under IRC corrected time, Wallyño finished 1 minutes 13 seconds ahead of Karl Pisec’s Solaris 72 Black Pearl in turn 1 minute 31 seconds ahead of Maurits van Oranje’s Mylius 60 Sud (sistership Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3 suffered mainsail damage pre-start today – but she and Sud are tied on points behind Wallyño overall).

Another supposed light air specialist, Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra, won Maxi B by a larger margin of nine minutes 10 seconds. Of more surprise was the Spirit Yachts 111 Geist coming second. While the 24-year-old Lyra is the more modern design, Geist is a modern classic, built in wood-epoxy and displacing 70 tonnes, but is younger – just two years old – and with modern day equipment such as a carbon fibre mast and a fin/bulb, rather than a long keel.

Her crew are modern day old salts including America’s Cup sailors Paul Campbell-James and Pete Cumming as tactician and mainsheet trimmer respectively. Today’s second place was Geist’s best result to date, said Cumming. “ Crew-work on a day like today was pretty important, so coming straight from the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup we had good teamwork and sail handling, combined with more breeze. Then we just had to heel her over… ”

Tactics also came into play: “ We always knew that because we are one of the slowest boats in our class, we didn’t want to get into a position to get rolled. We knew there would be big right hand shifts in the bay, but we wanted to be the first to tack. So we did a classic ‘Ed Baird start’ – in at the committee boat, let the traffic go, then tacked off and sailed in clear breeze for the first time this regatta. We found the right shift we wanted and were third boat around the windward mark, which we held on to the whole way around the course. ”

He added: “ We were surprised how well we went today with Lyra up the first beat [upwind Geist’s longer waterline length paid off]. In the sea state we just chop through it all. Lyra slipped away from us downwind, it shows what the boat can do. ”

In Maxi A, the trio of former Maxi 72s proved that they could excel in the bigger conditions too, taking all three of the top spots with Peter Harrison’s 72ft Cannonball prevailing over yesterday’s winner, Peter Dubens’ North Star and Sir Peter Ogden’s 77ft Jethou.

Cannonball strategist Michele Ivaldi said of their day: “ It was a great job by all of the team – good sail choice and tactics, the boat was going really well, upwind and down. Peter [Harrison] drove 95% of the time and did really well. He said it was the most fun he’d had in a long time – which is the whole point of the exercise… ”

For Cannonball, today’s victory was largely set up out of the start (unlike yesterday when they unsuccessfully attempted to start on port). “ The first beat was tricky because we knew the wind was 220-230° past the point, but 240-245° in the bay before the start. We wanted to start on the upper part of the line and go straight for a while and tack across and we found a good lane back and from then on it was good. ” Jethou gained an advantage threading her way through some rocks, but Cannonball recovered and the two had a phenomenal, high speed match race on the run back. “ That was super fun downwind with good breeze and good waves, for the last 10-15 minutes of the race with the jibtop doing 22-23 knots. It was one of the best races I have sailed here, ” concluded Ivaldi.

While the Chris Flowers-steered Galateia was first on the water and under corrected time among the 100 footers, it was Pier Luigi Loro Piana’s ClubSwan 80 My Song that finished fourth under IRC. “ They were the best conditions – we had a lot of fun after two days of light wind, ” said Loro Piana. “ We are happy, but if you beat your competitors you are even happier. Downwind we did a very good job. Upwind there is room for us to do better. ”

He added that downwind today My Song’s boat speed was matching wind speed – 20 knots in 20 knots of wind, etc. “ We were planing and it was great to be given a ‘little bit of oxygen’. ”

The biggest smile was on the face of Italian Matteo Fossati, owner of Stella Maris. While his 64 footer rarely makes an impression on the results table, despite enthusiastic campaigning in recent years in events such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and IMA Maxi European Championship, Stella Maris is currently leading Maxi D.

“ It was very nice today’s race – 20 knots of wind and really beautiful landscape, ” said Fossati, whose yacht winters in Ravenna while her crew comes from all across Italy. “ Our boat is old and needs wind conditions like today. ”

Fossati is enjoying his first ever Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. “ It is very nice because there are a lot of boats similar to us. In Sorrento or Porto Cervo our class joins classes of faster boats. ”

Tomorrow is layday for the Maxi class at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, although the ‘Modern’ and ‘Classic’ fleets will continue racing. However the Maxis have the opportunity to take part in match races and for the Club 55 Maxi Cup 100ft Magic Carpet 3 will line up against My Song.

October 2, 2023

North Star to the fore as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 maxi fleet goes coastal

With the smaller modern fleet racing in the Golfe de Saint-Tropez the 39-strong maxi fleet moved to the bay off the Cote d’Azur’s famous Pampelonne beach for the start and finish of the coastal race for day two of the Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023, the deciding event of the International Maxi Association’s Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.

The course took the maxis south to a mark two bays down off Cap Lardier then returning via a mark in the bay off L’Escalet. The smaller boats then headed directly back to the finish while Maxi A had to round one last mark out to sea to the east, the famous Nioulargue mark (after the original incarnation of this event), before finishing. The southerly breeze built from around 7 knots at the start to 12-14 knots as the sea breeze filled in shifting the wind right.

While there was no wind initially, racing finally got away almost two hours late, just before 1400 local time for the four classes (following a jury decision, Maxi A1 and A2 are now combined into Maxi A spanning 100 footers to the former Maxi 72s)

With stronger and more stable breeze there were no runaway leaders today and in fact Peter Harrison’s 72ft Cannonball, which was first home on the water by a huge margin yesterday (ahead of even the 100 footers), today finished a lowly sixth under IRC corrected time. Instead it was the turn of Peter Dubens’ 72ft North Star, the reigning IMA Maxi European Champion, to come out on top in Maxi A.

“ I am really pleased with the result, ” said North Star’s tactician, 470 double Olympic silver medallist Nick Rogers. “ We had a really good start at the starboard end and tacked off early. On that first leg the right was favoured so it meant we spent a long time on port tack without getting rolled by the bigger boats. That was the key moment. Later we got tacked on a couple of times but that kept us in clear traffic for 90% of the race .”

Owner Peter Dubens was over the moon about the result which came after a tough day yesterday for the British team when the wind had shut down for them just short of the finish line off Saint-Tropez.

While Sir Peter Ogden’s 77ft Jethou finished third today, a worthy second was Andrea Recordati’s 93ft Bullitt, finishing 2 minutes 26 seconds behind North Star under IRC corrected time. “ We had a very good day today, ” reported Bullitt’s Brazilian tactician Joca Signorini. “ We had a good start to leeward of the 100s and managed to find a good lane going to the right above them. It was very close racing once the breeze dropped half way through the beat. The guys did a wonderful job keeping the boat going fast and after rounding the first mark there were not many passing opportunities. ” After two races, Bullitt leads Maxi A overall.

The 100s followed with V fourth and Galateia, skippered by co-owner Chris Flowers, fifth. In Maxi B, it was the familiar form of regular Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez winner Terry Hui’s 77ft Lyra that for a second day came out on top. Second to her were the chartered Maarten 72 Aragon and the 80ft Rose of Sven Wackerhagen. Also holding a perfect scoreline is International Maxi Association President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño in Maxi C, while holding the remaining positions on the podium after day two are the Mylius 60s Maurits van Oranje’s Sud and Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3.

While Lady First 3 and her crew including French offshore A-listers like Christopher Pratt and Xavier Macaire, beat her Dutch opponent yesterday, they prevailed today leaving the two tied on points. “ We had a problem with our spinnaker, ” explained Dreau of today’s third place. “ We don’t know why but it broke and it took us maybe five minutes to change, so we lost a few boats. ” However his white-hulled Mylius 60 is enjoying the race with her black-hulled sistership Sud, which are showing a marked improvement in their performance this week.

The closest results today were in Maxi D where Jürg Schneider’s Swan 65 ketch Saida, last year’s winner here, once again found her form scoring her first bullet of the regatta. However a second for Matteo Fossati’s Stella Maris today leaves the Italian 64 footer leading Maxi D after two races.

“ It was a great day, ” said Schneider. “ We had a good start but after the start we had a problem with one of the winches. But then we found our way out of that and on the first downwind we were first to hoist our gennaker quite early which put us in a good position. ” Saida finished their race in no more than 14 knots of breeze so their victory was not a case of being one of the lowest rated and enjoying better breeze towards the finish. The Maxi D finishes were also the closest across the fleet today with Saida finishing just 26 seconds ahead of Stella Maris under IRC corrected time.

All eyes are on day three’s competition. While Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is typically a light regatta, tomorrow the forecast for the Bay of Pampelonne is for a southwest wind of 15-20 knots with the wind into the mid to high 20s the further offshore the maxi yachts are sent. This could easily throw up a different set of results after two days favouring the light wind specialists.

October 1, 2023

Cannonball blasts ahead at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2023 set sail today with the race committee led by PRO Georges Korhel and assisted by the International Maxi Association’s Ariane Mainemare, defying predictions in managing to get a race in for the 39-strong maxi fleet, despite light winds. Through the afternoon the breeze barely touched six knots and was more usually closer to four.

Starting and finished immediately off Saint-Tropez, much to the delight of spectators crowded around the Tour du Portalet, the maxis sailed what was supposed to be a windward-leeward with the leeward mark in the mouth of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez and the weather mark to the east. Two laps of this, culminating into a run back to the finish off Saint-Tropez would represent a 25 mile course. In the event only the Maxi A1 and A2 classes sailed the full distance with the course for the smaller classes shortened after one lap.

In three out of the five classes, the winners were familiar. The last time the maxis raced on the Golfe was at Rolex Giraglia in June where IMA President Benoît de Froidmont’s Wally 60 Wallyño and Dario Ferrari’s former Maxi 72 Cannonball scored straight bullets in three races. Both continued their winning ways today in their respective classes.

Despite Peter Harrison acquiring Cannonball, her original crew, led by Michele Ivaldi and tactician Vasco Vascotto, remains the same. Today her winning margin was nothing short of a miracle: 32 minutes 29 seconds ahead of Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou under IRC corrected in Maxi A2, while in the combined Maxi A class she was 24 minutes 15 seconds ahead of Maxi A1 winner, Wendy Schmidt’s 85ft Deep Blue.

“ It was a fantastic day – good conditions for the Cannonball, ” said Cameron Dunn, who operates the runners on board. “ It was a tricky first beat getting out of the bay in 4.5 knots, but we managed to get a race in. We didn’t get the start we wanted, but it was good enough and we managed to get lucky in the corner with a little puff. Vasco and Michele did a fantastic job. The sail choices were important – a couple of boats behind made wrong choices but we made a good calls. Peter did a good job driving – he is getting used to the boat now. ”

Deep Blue was on top form today, under IRC corrected time finishing 6 minutes 13 seconds ahead of Andrea Recordati’s 93ft Bullitt, in turn 23 seconds in front of the 100ft V, first of the 100 footers.  

“We’ve done quite a bit of work – we have a new shorter keel as well as adding a water ballast system, ” explained Deep Blue’s Project Manager, Terry Halpin. “ That has transformed the boat so we are feeling very positive that is it is a much more competitive. Today was our first long light test and we are pleased. ”

In the light conditions the maxis had crew sitting to leeward but on Deep Blue many were to leeward down below. “ We had a nice clean lane at the start, and laid the right side until we got out and got to the lift. Then it was straight line after the point ,” Halpin explained where tactician Rob MacMillan had pointed them. “ We do feel now that relative to other boats we are able to hang on. ” Aside from the start, Deep Blue managed to thread her way through at the finish when the fleet ahead had concertinaed together approaching the finish.

This is only her new owner’s third ever regatta so to finish third in Maxi A1 was a welcome result explained tactician Ken Read. “ We are really happy in the little changes we have made in how we sail the boat and tweaks to the boat from last regatta to this, but it is still a brand new situation for everyone and we are learning. ” He added that they had managed to get a good start which had made the rest of his day easier.  

In all the classes, the first out of the Golfe de Saint-Tropez mostly still found themselves top of the pile by the finish. “It is a pretty one sided race track so it is nice escaping first. You have to be in that top pack otherwise you are fighting for your life for the whole time,” continued Read.

As to why Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez remains such a popular event on the maxi circuit, the North Sails President added: “ The scene here on the dock is unprecedented. It is like nothing else we have in our sport. It is hard not to have a smile on your face… ” The quayside in Saint-Tropez is perpetually teeming with spectator there to see the wide array of maxi yachts and ancient classics. “ Some of prettiest boats on the planet are here. It nice to see such a variety of boats on the same space. ”

In Maxi D, Matteo Fossati’s 64ft Stella Maris was first under IRC corrected time but in the class above it was the familiar form of Benoît de Froidmont’s Wallyño which won Maxi C ahead of the Mylius 60s Jean-Pierre Dreau’s Lady First 3 and Maurits van Oranje’s Sud.

Wallyño’s ace French tactician Cedric Pouligny explained: “ We had a pretty good start and managed to go to the right side of the beat – but not completely right, inside Les Canebiers bay it was pretty weak. Some went too far but we just managed to tack at the right moment. ” As in the other classes, the heavy lifting was done prior to exiting the Golfe de Saint-Tropez, by which time Wallyño held a huge lead albeit with Lady First 3 just ahead. Wallyño caught them up on the way to the top mark despite suffering from being caught in the lee of the bigger boats they encountered coming back downwind. Pouligny was pleased with the sail selection and how the crew had handled the sail changes from the A1 to the Code Zero and back.  They had also done well in the last moments of the race where conditions had become tricky approaching the finish line off Saint-Tropez.

Maxi B was also won today by a Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez regular victor – Terry Hui’s Wally 80 Lyra and this was despite this event being the only one the Chinese-Canadian has raced with his team this season. “ It was a good day for us, ” commented tactician Nicolai Sehested, taking time off from skippering his Danish Rockwool team on the SailGP circuit. “ We got off the line and got out the front. It was a whole team effort – good boat speed and good steering from Terry, which makes my life easier. We were the furthest right boat. We went all the way into the Bay, but we did a step up so we didn’t go in early on. Fortunately we have been here a few times. We were just sailing the boat fast and clean which made life easier out in front. ”

Tomorrow a coastal race is scheduled, starting at 1200 from the bay off Pampelonne Beach.

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Peter Dubens' North Star won the Regata dei Tre Golfi maxi class for a second consecutive year under IRC corrected time. Photo: ROLEX / Studio Borlenghi

North Star wins second IMA Maxi European Championship offshore race

With the 26 strong maxi fleet sub-divided into three classes, the remainder of the Regata dei Tre Golfi maxi fleet arrived throughout the course of yesterday afternoon. Giuseppe Puttini's Swan 65 ketch Shirlaf was last home at 17:45CEST. Due to the slower boats experiencing shutdowns around the race's southerly turning mark of Li Galli and gusty rain squalls as they approached the finish line off Massa Lubrense, to the west of Sorrento, the offshore race of this second International Maxi Association Maxi European Championship, has proved to be a big boat affair. For a second consecutive year Peter Dubens' former Maxi 72 North Star has won the race's maxi division, by just over seven minutes under IRC corrected time from the race's line honours winner and new record holder, Sir Peter Ogden's Maxi 77 Jethou.

Supported by Rolex as Official Timepiece and Loro Piana, the 150 mile race from Naples to Sorrento, via Ponza in the north and the Li Galli islands in the south, was organised by the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia (CRVI) in conjunction with the International Maxi Association, the body officially tasked by World Sailing to administer and develop maxi yacht racing internationally.

While the superbly sailed former Maxi 72s occupied four of the top five spaces on the overall IRC maxi leaderboard for the Regata dei Tre Golfi, holding third was Riccardo de Michele's serial Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup class winning Vallicelli 78 H20, topping the combined Maxi 4-5 class.

"It was good that we had wind for most of the race," de Michele explained. "The trickiest part was from Ponza to Punta Campanella. Then at Li Galli we broke a gennaker - our fault, as we didn't realise it had a small tear in it when we hoisted it. As soon as it went up it blew up..." Otherwise de Michele said they had chosen the best part of the course on Friday night passing Ischia as they left the Bay of Naples then the following morning standing off at Punta Campanella (the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula). They had enjoyed having wind most of the way, although from dawn it was accompanied with rain cells. "H20 is a heavy boat and when it gets stuck it takes a lot to get her moving again."

Having finished fourth last year, in sixth place under IRC was IMA President Benoît de Froidmont aboard his silver Wally 60 Wallyño with a crack French including tactician Cédric Pouligny. "It was very tactical as usual here. The wind was unexpected, but was good because it was windy all the time except the usual place - Li Galli." De Froidmont said that had they had better conditions off the Amalfi coast then they might have challenged the former Maxi 72s for the podium. "The boat was okay. All our manouevres were perfectly executed by the crew. From a tactical point of view we didn't make any mistakes." And this was despite being hammered by a couple of rain squalls accompanied by 30 knots puffs approaching the finish.

The conditions didn't favour the middle of the maxi fleet with Maxi 3 won by Guido Paolo Gamucci's canting keel Mylius 60 Cippa Lippa X, correcting out to 15th in the overall maxi ranking.

"The race was interesting because we had more wind and more rain and a left shift bigger [after Ponza] than we were expecting," said Gamucci. "Unfortunately we weren't fast recognising that and when the left shift came we ended up reaching and lost some of our advantage." However their biggest issue came after passing Punta Campanella and around Li Galli where they parked for 1.5 hours. However this was not as bad as befell the 90ft Shockwave 3 ahead of them which stopped for 2.5 hours (behind in the race after stopping to respond to fellow Trieste maxi Arca SGR's Mayday the previous night).

Gamucci was sad to see his Regata dei Tre Golfi record from 2016 technically broken yesterday by Sir Peter Ogden's Jethou, but observed: "The race track was different then: We sailed 14 miles more because it finished in Naples - 14 very important miles!"

Tomorrow (Monday) is the first of four days of inshore racing for the IMA Maxi European Championship. For this the maxi fleet will comprise 22 yachts ranging in size from numerous 60 footers such as Wallyño to the longest Shockwave 3.

Looking forward to this is Neapolitan, CRVI Honorary Member and former Luna Rossa Italian America's Cup helmsman Francesco de Angelis, who will be racing on Dario Ferrari's former Maxi 72 Cannonball.

"I like the place - I have spent a lot of time here and I used to sail dinghies here," said de Angelis. "This week will be a mixed bag, with the weather very 'front-related' - different from the usual pattern. It will be tricky to sail. The forecast on Tuesday looks pretty windy while Thursday looks like a light day. But we will have to see how the weather shapes up."

Of the competition he adds: "There are lots of good teams and good boats - it will be a fantastic race."

IMA President Benoît de Froidmont concluded: "The organisation is very impressive for this event. The yacht club invests a lot of energy into its organization which it is good for the owners. Now we have a new village here in Sorrento. And the fleet is extremely competitive, which is a pleasant surprise given the present economic situation."

While the Regata dei Tre Golfi was the second event in the 2022-23 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, tomorrow's inshore races will be the second of the IMA's equivalent Inshore Challenge, which began with PalmaVela last weekend.

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Spectre is a Frers designed 60ft day racer being guest helmed at the event by Sir Charles Dunstone. Two time Olympic Silver Medallist Nick Rogers will be taking charge of tactics onboard. He says “The International Bicentenary is going to be a great event and we are really looking forward to using it as a platform to get Spectre going.”

Completed only last autumn this will be the first time that the Persico Marine-built flyer will be seen showing her full potential in the UK. With a name evoking the imminent James Bond film, this space aged racer with her large, open and an almost empty cockpit and 4.80m cross beam could have come straight from the set.

Sail number

Royal Thames Yacht Club

Peter Dubens

Website by NGR

The Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary Regatta is organised by Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Limited, The Castle, Cowes, Isle of Wight, P031 7QT UK

Photography by Paul Wyeth

Maxi European Championship – North Star sets the pace

Maxi European Championship Race 2 winners:

• Class 1 – North Star, Peter Dubens
• Class 2 – Lyra, Terry Hui
• Class 3 – Fra Diavolo, Vincenzo Addessi
• Class 4 – Shirlaf, Giuseppe Puttini

Following on from the Regata dei Tre Golfi offshore race, the International Maxi Association’s Maxi European Championship entered a new phase with the first of four days of inshore/coastal racing at the Maxi Yacht Sorrento Trophy, part of Tre Golfi Sailing Week.

At the front of the fleet the excellent racing continued as Peter Dubens JV72 North Star went on to win the day by just over a minute from Sir Peter Ogden’s JV77 Jethou, with Lord Irvine Laidlaw’s Reichel/Pugh 82 Highland Fling XI third overall under IRC.

After losing out in his first offshore, the Regata dei Tre Golfi, Terry Hui and his usually dominant Wally 77 Lyra were back on form, winning Class 2 and finishing third across the whole IMA Maxi Europeans fleet.

Among the four maxi classes the day’s biggest winning margin was that of Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65 Shirlaf in Class 4, ahead of Luca Scoppa’s Dehler 60 Blue Oyster by almost seven minutes under IRC corrected time.

While the smallest was in Class III where Vincenzo Addessi’s Mylius 18.3 Fra’ Diavolo beat Riccardo De Michele’s Vallicelli 78 H2O by a mere 10 seconds under IRC.

This was despite Fra’ Diavolo being rammed during the top mark rounding by Frenchman Philippe Ligier’s Wally 80 Ryok.

Full daily results available here

IMA Maxi European Championship overall standings here

iQFoil European Championships - Day 1

Merlin rocket silver tiller - birrell and brearey rule at whitstable.

Brits to face American Magic in first Prada Cup Race

Ainslie puts modified Britannia through her paces

Vendee Globe – Pip Hare reports rudder damage

America’s Cup – Solving Ineos Team UKs foiling problem . . . the Italian Job

Ineos Team UK step-out with their new Rig

Ken Read explains the America’s Cup Rig and the Ineos Team options

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Oakley Capital Private Equity acquires North Technology Group – owner of North Sails

Oakley Capital Private Equity – founded by UK businessman and sailing enthusiast Peter Dubens – has acquired the majority stake in North Technology Group (NTG), the owner of US-based sailmaker North Sails.

‘The brand is superb, and the fact that it’s a technology leader and world leader is something that we found very interesting,’ said Peter Dubens, Oakley’s managing partner, in an exclusive interview with Boat International .

Oakley acquired NTG from its previous majority shareholder, Windway Capital Corp, headed by Terry Kohler, who purchased North Sails from its founder, Lowell North, more than 30 years ago. ‘I am confident the new shareholder, Oakley, will continue Lowell’s legacy to help launch North Sails and the NTG companies into their next stage of development,’ says Kohler.

North Sails remains the largest company by revenue within NTG’s portfolio. It is joined by composite spars, rigging and marine components maker Southern Spars; EdgeWater Boats, builder of outboard powered boats and tenders; and North Thin Ply Technology and North Cutting Systems. It is the latter two units that put NTG on the technology map outside of the yachting sphere. In addition to developing North’s 3Di manufacturing of sails and Southern Spars’ composite masts, North Thin Ply Technology has developed extremely light but strong carbon pre-preg solutions utilised by Formula 1 racing and the aerospace industry. Meanwhile, North Cutting Systems comprises two businesses: the AlphaBlade Cutting System, providing ‘a unique cutting solution for various industries’, and the Automated Tape Laying system.

It bears query: is Oakley more interested in the already high-tech sails that power everything from the sailing superyachts you see on this website to the America’s Cup yachts or the possibilities that exist in the composite technologies?

‘We are interested in everything that North Technology Group is doing,’ Dubens says very democratically. ‘Everything the company has done historically and currently led to my interest .’

Dubens says the acquisition is inclusive of the whole of North's businesses, but that, 'There are going to be some licensee agreements in some territories.' Dubens will chair the sailmaker’s board and current North Technology Group CEO Tom Whidden will continue in his post.

‘North Sails looks forward to working with Oakley to grow our business and carry on the tradition of providing sailors with the highest performing products by being at the forefront of development,’ says Whidden. ‘Oakley shares our obsession with technology and enthusiasm for the sport of sailing. We’re confident we are transitioning the business to a shareholder that will help North Sails reach the next level in sailmaking innovation.’

Dubens concurs that Oakley is, ‘backing the management team and helping with the implementation of new systems and operations. It’s business as usual for North.’

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Ken Read interview: The rise and rise of an all-American sailing hero

• April 28, 2020

President of the North Sails Group and one of the world’s most decorated sailors, Ken Read has risen to the top of both business and sport, writes Mark Chisnell

Photo: Amory Ross / Puma Ocean Racing / Volvo Ocean Race

There are many successful sailors and many more successful businessmen, but it’s rare to find someone who has achieved great things in both spheres. Ken Read is one of them. Twice Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, a College Sailor of the Year, nine-time world champion, America’s Cup and Volvo Ocean Race (now known at The Ocean Race ) skipper, he has also risen to the top of his profession as President of the North Sails Group.

It’s been a long and storied career both on and off the water, driven by Read’s self-confessed intensity. “I remember the fundamental change in my life going from loving to win to hating to lose. And it’s been a long time since I’ve technically loved to win, but man, oh man, do I hate to lose. And that’s in anything. That’s in selling a jib to a guy down the street in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, or sailing in the Volvo [Ocean] Race. Everything in between.”

It’s no surprise then that Read grew up in a family that took sport very seriously. His father, owner of a home delivery milk business, sailed and played ice hockey, while his mother was inducted into the Connecticut College Athletic Hall of Fame. “My mother was the competitive one. My mother was the athlete. She was the one during hockey games screaming in the audience to hustle,” he told me.

The sailing started when the family bought a 30ft Pearson Wanderer and a Sunfish, and while Read didn’t like sailing initially, his father kept him at it and he was soon deeply involved in the Barrington Yacht Club junior sailing programme close to his Rhode Island home. “I read about all these 470 youth champions, and all these hotshot kids travelling the world. We just stayed in Narragansett Bay sailing against each other and did a series of youth regattas.”

It all changed when Read arrived at Boston University. “The real thing for sailors of my generation was college sailing… that’s where you proved yourself, whether you had it or not. And, for me for sure, without college sailing, I wouldn’t have a sailing career. That’s where it all happened.”

Read was a history major, and his original plan had been to go on and take a law degree but being selected three times All-American and awarded College Sailor of the Year changed all that.

Article continues below…

Ernesto Bertarelli: The Team Alinghi mastermind who shook up the America’s Cup

When Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi (SUI64) crossed the finish line for the final time in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2003, the…

Take a tour of supermaxi Comanche, a yacht so beamy she’s called ‘the aircraft carrier’

“The design office were told specifically by me that if this boat wasn’t the worst rated boat in history they…

“I got drafted by Shore Sails and Bill Shore… Bill Shore taught me how to leave 420s, how to leave little boats and how to get into big boats, and what running backstays do, and the little nuances in tuning. Bill and I sailed together. He crewed for me in J/24s, and I crewed for him in Lightnings.

“So I think there were a few years that we never lost a regatta together… preparation, teamwork, putting a team together, being proactive, how to spread out duties. Bill was hugely influential when it came to that.”

Read’s competitive intensity extended to the business side as well and Shore Sails quickly proved to be too small for Read and his business partner Dan Neri (now CEO of North Sails Group).

Read at the helm of the J Class Hanuman . Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Read and Neri licensed the Sobstad name in a period in the mid- to late-nineties when there was a long-running patent dispute between Sobstad and North Sails over their new 3DL sail manufacturing technology. It was finally settled in the autumn of 2001, but by then Read had already switched sides.

“When our license [with Sobstad] was coming up [for renewal], that’s when Tom Whidden showed up.” Whidden is now CEO of North Technology Group but had been president of Sobstad Sails International before moving across to North. Whidden offered to buy their loft and employ Read and Neri.

“Because of the advent of 3DL you didn’t have to be a brain surgeon to know that the industry was changing. We struck a deal really, really quickly with Tom. I believe that was 1996… been there in one form or fashion ever since.”

Cup calling

It was just prior to this transition from Sobstad to North that Read got his invite to the America’s Cup . It had been an unavoidable part of his life, growing up in Rhode Island. “We were around 12Ms in the America’s Cup our whole lives. So whether it was an ambition or not, it’s really unclear, but it was constantly a part of your life, so it would be hard to imagine it wasn’t at least some sort of subconscious ambition anyway.”

Dennis Conner wanted Read to steer his boat for the 2000 America’s Cup in Auckland. They were both racing Etchells at the time, and Conner wanted some of Read’s Sobstad sails. “He called me back and said, ‘Now I really know I want you as my helmsman, because if you can win with these sails, which are the worst sails I’ve ever seen in my life, then you can beat anybody.’ So that was like, welcome to Dennis Conner really stroking your ego. Like, wow, that’s harsh. Okay.”

Ken Read went on to do two America’s Cups with Conner, the first of which was in 2000 and exceeded expectations, while the better funded and prepared second attempt in 2003 failed to live up to them. It caused Read to have a rethink.

Ken Read has won more than 40 world and North American championships in a variety of classes. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

“I was tired after the 2003 Cup. I was tired of doing windward/leewards. I was tired of these big programmes that I really didn’t feel in charge of. I wanted to look myself in the mirror and be able to be self-critical of every good move, every bad move at the end of the day. And that’s where those Volvo programmes came from.”

And so Ken Read set out to run his own projects. He found the perfect partner in global sportswear brand Puma, and the perfect event in the Volvo Ocean Race. Puma became one of sailing’s biggest and most innovative sponsors and together with Read they delivered two very successful Volvo Ocean Race campaigns in 2008/9 (second overall) and 2011/12 (third).

“Puma was very influential [to me] on how they marketed, how they dealt with the public, how they tried to manage a new sport. I got to know the principals very, very well. So I would just sit there and pick their brains all the time, just watching. It was a great time. Any big campaign like that is something you’ll never forget as long as you live. And as hard as it was at times, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was spectacular sailing, spectacular camaraderie, adventure.”

Down to business

The two Cup campaigns and the two Volvo Ocean Race campaigns had been sabbaticals from North Sails, and when Read returned to the fold at the end of the 2011/12 race, change was in the air. “Terry Kohler [former owner of North Group] was moving on in years, and he and Tom [Whidden] were talking about selling.

“They came very close around 2008, at the beginning of both Puma campaigns. Of course, 2008 was no time to do anything. And then by the time I came back, Terry was in the process of getting serious again and soon thereafter along came Peter Dubens.”

Peter Dubens’s Oakley Capital invested into the North Group in 2014. “By the time that second Volvo was done, I was ready to take the business side more seriously and Tom was ready, and Peter Dubens was ready… it just kind of all fell together at the right time.”

Read raced the 100ft supermaxi Comanche for her first owner, Jim Clark. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Ken Read now sits atop the world’s largest sailmaker as president. “We make 30,000 sails a year and have 2,000 people on the payroll now.” He brought one rule across from his sailing to running the business. “Surround yourself with the best people possible, and it’s a silly expression, but make sure I’m the dumbest person in the room.

“Understand what your strengths and weaknesses are when you’re doing anything. When you’re on a sailboat, when you’re managing a team, surround yourself with people who do other things far, far better than you do, and make sure that you listen and let them do their thing.”

The move into the top job hasn’t stopped his sailing, although these days his rides are usually a little bigger than before – notably Jim Clark’s J Class, Hanuman , and of course Clark’s legendary Comanche , the 100ft maxi racing yacht.

Below decks on Comanche – Ken Read knows the ins and outs of racing boats better than most. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

“We met Jim in between the Volvo campaigns, and he had just put Hanuman in the water, and they were struggling to make J boat racing fun.” Read and his Puma team were enlisted to help, and after a try-out weekend at the Candy Store Cup in Newport, they became an integral part of the team.

Superyachts and sportsboats

“Before you know it, Jim wanted more of a sailing team and he decided to do this 100-footer. He wanted to break records. He wanted to do the Sydney Hobart … I actively tried to talk them out of it at the time because it’s a crazy project. But in typical Clark fashion; do it, do it right, and the Comanche was the product – such a phenomenal boat.”

Unsurprisingly, Ken Read still has plenty of sailing to do. When I spoke to him, he was aboard a Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 , preparing to race the 160 miles from Fort Lauderdale to Key West with ex-America’s Cup bow person Suzy Leech. The boat meets the criteria for the newly announced Mixed Two Person Offshore Keelboat class at the Olympics .

“Part of my job is to go where the next trend is that you can help develop. I wouldn’t say I’m launching an Olympic effort for 2024. I’m just thinking that, as leaders in the industry, it’s up to us to look for trends and to help make them happen. This double-handed trend – especially in France and England – is going gangbusters right now for all the right reasons.

The 2020 Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race saw Ken Read competing double-handed with Suzy Leech in the Jeanneau 3300 Alchemist . Photo: Billy Black

“In the few days I’ve done on this little Jeanneau 3300, we’ve had about as much fun as you can have sailboat racing. So it’s time to help bolster it, especially if we can do it here in the United States.”

Ken Read won’t be absent from the superyacht circuit either. “I’m going to sail with Tom Siebel’s Svea for the foreseeable future so that’ll be my J boat fix. The J Class is really starting to get cranked up again, which is great leading up to the world championship in New Zealand as a part of the America’s Cup.

“I think from a North Sails and a Southern Spars perspective, we are actively pushing for the more amateur-ish superyacht sailing to be fun and entertaining… allow different styles of boats to win, and just get people out there enjoying their boats, and not make it fully hyped up, pro programmes, because it’ll go away if we do it that way. It will go away.”

When the top man at the world’s biggest sailmaker says we should dial back the intensity in our superyacht racing we should probably listen.

Ken Read biography

Born: June 24, 1961 Nationality: United States Major honours:

• Nine-time World Champion,
• Two-time United States Rolex Yachtsman of the Year (1985/1994)
• Three-time Collegiate All American (1981, 1982 and 1983)
• Winner of the Everett B Morris Trophy as College Sailor of the Year (1982)
• Inducted into the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame

Career highlights and lowlights

“The 1985 J/24 World Championship in Japan. We had been the best in the J/24 class for a while, but we were young, and didn’t know how to win. And we finally learned how to win.

“And I think finishing the first Volvo [Ocean Race] second after being a single boat, last-minute program against some big spenders and some big programs. What we accomplished there, bringing in the new sponsor into the sport, and having Puma turn around that same day and say we’re going to do this [race] again.”

“Probably under power from the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean heading towards Tristan da Cunha, trying to get diesel fuel off of a Russian ship in order to make it there because our mast had just fallen over the side in the first leg of a Volvo race, which we were probably one of the favourites in – that falls under the all-time low category, I would guess.

“And another big low was certainly the 2003 America’s Cup campaign, with lots of expectations – and after lots of success in 2000 – it just didn’t pan out. Sometimes you get in a programme and what can go wrong will go wrong, and we just could never turn the corner and get our act together in that 2003 campaign. I think about that a lot, and how we could’ve done things different.”

First published in the April 2020 edition of Supersail World.

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Peter Dubens' North Star won the Regata dei Tre Golfi maxi class for a second consecutive year under IRC corrected time, sailing with minimum crew thanks to her powered winches. Photo: ROLEX / Studio Borlenghi

H20 (left) finished third overall ahead of Wallyño (right) while Jean-Pierre Dreau's Mylius 60 Lady First 3 (centre) was 8th overall in the full maxi fleet. Photo: ROLEX / Studio Borlenghi

Giuseppe Puttini's Swan 65 ketch Shirlaf was last maxi to finish the Regata dei Tre Golfi, her time correcting out to leave her 13th in the maxi fleet. Photo: ROLEX / Studio Borlenghi

Maxis – North Star wins second offshore race at Euros

With the 26 strong maxi fleet sub-divided into three classes, the remainder of the Regata dei Tre Golfi maxi fleet arrived throughout the course of yesterday afternoon. Giuseppe Puttini’s Swan 65 ketch Shirlaf was last home at 17:45CEST. Due to the slower boats experiencing shutdowns around the race’s southerly turning mark of Li Galli and gusty rain squalls as they approached the finish line off Massa Lubrense, to the west of Sorrento, the offshore race of this second International Maxi Association Maxi European Championship, has proved to be a big boat affair. For a second consecutive year Peter Dubens’ former Maxi 72 North Star has won the race’s maxi division, by just over seven minutes under IRC corrected time from the race’s line honours winner and new record holder, Sir Peter Ogden’s Maxi 77 Jethou.

Supported by Rolex as Official Timepiece and Loro Piana, the 150 mile race from Naples to Sorrento, via Ponza in the north and the Li Galli islands in the south, was organised by the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia (CRVI) in conjunction with the International Maxi Association, the body officially tasked by World Sailing to administer and develop maxi yacht racing internationally.

While the superbly sailed former Maxi 72s occupied four of the top five spaces on the overall IRC maxi leaderboard for the Regata dei Tre Golfi, holding third was Riccardo de Michele’s serial Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup class winning Vallicelli 78 H20, topping the combined Maxi 4-5 class.

“It was good that we had wind for most of the race,” de Michele explained. “The trickiest part was from Ponza to Punta Campanella. Then at Li Galli we broke a gennaker – our fault, as we didn’t realise it had a small tear in it when we hoisted it. As soon as it went up it blew up…” Otherwise de Michele said they had chosen the best part of the course on Friday night passing Ischia as they left the Bay of Naples then the following morning standing off at Punta Campanella (the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula). They had enjoyed having wind most of the way, although from dawn it was accompanied with rain cells. “H20 is a heavy boat and when it gets stuck it takes a lot to get her moving again.”

Having finished fourth last year, in sixth place under IRC was IMA President Benoît de Froidmont aboard his silver Wally 60 Wallyño with a crack French including tactician Cédric Pouligny. “It was very tactical as usual here. The wind was unexpected, but was good because it was windy all the time except the usual place – Li Galli.” De Froidmont said that had they had better conditions off the Amalfi coast then they might have challenged the former Maxi 72s for the podium. “The boat was okay. All our manouevres were perfectly executed by the crew. From a tactical point of view we didn’t make any mistakes.” And this was despite being hammered by a couple of rain squalls accompanied by 30 knots puffs approaching the finish.

The conditions didn’t favour the middle of the maxi fleet with Maxi 3 won by Guido Paolo Gamucci’s canting keel Mylius 60 Cippa Lippa X, correcting out to 15th in the overall maxi ranking.

“The race was interesting because we had more wind and more rain and a left shift bigger [after Ponza] than we were expecting,” said Gamucci. “Unfortunately we weren’t fast recognising that and when the left shift came we ended up reaching and lost some of our advantage.” However their biggest issue came after passing Punta Campanella and around Li Galli where they parked for 1.5 hours. However this was not as bad as befell the 90ft Shockwave 3 ahead of them which stopped for 2.5 hours (behind in the race after stopping to respond to fellow Trieste maxi Arca SGR’s Mayday the previous night).

Gamucci was sad to see his Regata dei Tre Golfi record from 2016 technically broken yesterday by Sir Peter Ogden’s Jethou, but observed: “The race track was different then: We sailed 14 miles more because it finished in Naples – 14 very important miles!”

Tomorrow (Monday) is the first of four days of inshore racing for the IMA Maxi European Championship. For this the maxi fleet will comprise 22 yachts ranging in size from numerous 60 footers such as Wallyño to the longest Shockwave 3.

Looking forward to this is Neapolitan, CRVI Honorary Member and former Luna Rossa Italian America’s Cup helmsman Francesco de Angelis, who will be racing on Dario Ferrari’s former Maxi 72 Cannonball.

“I like the place – I have spent a lot of time here and I used to sail dinghies here,” said de Angelis. “This week will be a mixed bag, with the weather very ‘front-related’ – different from the usual pattern. It will be tricky to sail. The forecast on Tuesday looks pretty windy while Thursday looks like a light day. But we will have to see how the weather shapes up.”

Of the competition he adds: “There are lots of good teams and good boats – it will be a fantastic race.”

IMA President Benoît de Froidmont concluded: “The organisation is very impressive for this event. The yacht club invests a lot of energy into its organization which it is good for the owners. Now we have a new village here in Sorrento. And the fleet is extremely competitive, which is a pleasant surprise given the present economic situation.”

While the Regata dei Tre Golfi was the second event in the 2022-23 IMA Mediterranean Maxi Offshore Challenge, tomorrow’s inshore races will be the second of the IMA’s equivalent Inshore Challenge, which began with PalmaVela last weekend.

by James Boyd / International Maxi Association

For more information about Regata dei Tre Golfi and Tre Golfi Sailing Week visit www.tregolfisailingweek.com

Following the tracking for the race here

Full results here

For more information on the International Maxi Association visit www.internationalmaxiassociation.com

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By SuperyachtNews 03 Mar 2014

Sale of majority share in North Technology Group confirmed

A formal press release has confirmed the sale of the majority share of the north technology group to oakley capital investments...…, join the discussion.

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Business big shot

Name Peter Dubens Age 48 Position Managing partner, Oakley Capital

When Brent Hoberman was asked about a return to lastminute.com in August, he said that he could envisage “helping” its new owner, adding: “It totally depends on who it is and what their vision is.”

The new would-be custodian of the business founded by Mr Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox is no stranger. Peter Dubens, the boss of Oakley Capital, the private equity group specialising in online businesses that emerged as a bidder for lastminute.com this week, has worked with Mr Hoberman before.

Mr Hoberman is an investor, alongside Mr Dubens, in Profounders Capital, which describes itself as “a venture capital fund for entrepreneurs powered by entrepreneurs”. Mr Dubens also recruited Mr

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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