Trans Atlantic race, Phaedo3 and Paradox in the open division.

The final round of departures in the staggered start of the Trans Atlantic race are set to depart Sunday 5th July at 2pm local time.  This year in the multihulls will see the MOD70 trimaran Phaedo3 and the Nigel Iren's designed cruiser/racer Paradox squaring off.  Phaedo3 is clearly the favorite but Paradox is no slouch either.

There is an article on Sailing Scuttlebutt with more details.

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2015/07/02/transatlantic-race-saving-the-biggest-for-last/

Event website:
http://transatlanticrace.com/

The tracker is here:
http://yb.tl/transatlantic2015

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TransatlanticRace

Musandam/Oman Sail team set new Round Ireland record on their MOD70 trimaran

From the following article by the editor, Sailing Scuttlebutt:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2015/05/06/musandam-oman-sail-set-new-round-ireland-record/

The six-man crew, skippered by Sidney Gavignet, and including Omani sailors Fahad Al Hasni, Yasser Al Rahbi and Sami Al Shukaili, key members of last year’s Round Britain and Ireland world record setting team, plus Spain’s Alex Pella and French multihull veteran Jean Baptiste Levailland, set a new Round Ireland, non-stop, crewed record in the MOD 70 Musandam-Oman Sail. The team crossed the finish line beneath the Kish Lighthouse off Dublin Bay just before 1000 UTC (May 6) having started their record attempt at 1704 UTC on Monday, May 4.

They needed to be back by 1500 to take the record but their breakneck speeds down the west coast of Ireland, at one stage reaching 38 knots, meant they were finished well before that, some three hours and 50 minutes faster than the record of 44 hours 42 minutes held by Steve Fossett set in September 1993 aboard his 60ft trimaran Lakota. The record will remain unofficial until World Record Sailing Speed Council ratification.

read more here

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race set to get underway

This RORC event is a perpetual favourite and a strong fleet have returned to contest the race this year:

The race website:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/

The race tracker:
http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/tracking.html

Due to the prevailing weather conditions they have decided that the race direction will be reversed and will now be anticlockwise.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/index.cfm?SEID=0&Nid=125410&SRCID=0&ntid=0&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0

In the Multihulls Damien Foxall of Oman Sail/Musandam are hoping to break the race record which is currently held by the Maxi trimaran BP5 at 3 days, 3 hours, 49 minutes, 14 seconds.

http://roundbritainandireland.rorc.org/newsblogsphotos/press-releases/267-as-tough-as-it-gets.html

Armen Race underway, Ultime, Multi50's and Multi30's compete

The Armen Race this year is hosting a good fleet of multihulls, more details on the race can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/IgpArMen

and their website:

http://www.armenrace.fr/

You can find the tracker here:

http://yb.tl/armen2014

The Ultime's are completing a separate and longer course you can select their tracking in the Yellowbrick tracker.

Oman Sail on their experience at the Grand Prix Guyader

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Oman Sail:

http://www.sail-world.com/Asia/Grand-Prix-Guyader---Omani-sailors-step-up-their-learning-curve/121880

Oman Sail’s flagship campaign, Musandam-Oman Sail, got the racing season off to a flying start in Douarnenez last weekend at the Grand Prix Guyader with a majority Omani crew onboard for the first time.

As a first regatta on the MOD70 since the Transat Jacques Vabre last November, the objectives were to learn the boat and to continue developing the Omani sailors that make up the MOD70 and M34 squad for 2014, in a race environment.

The format with its stadium racing and speed runs was the perfect platform for some swift learning and a good warm up towards the next phase of the Grand Prix which kicks off today onboard the M34. The M34 fleet includes a number of Oman Sail’s closest rivals for the Tour de France a la Voile so will prove a useful benchmark event.

read more here

'2014 Grand Prix Guyader - Musandam-Oman Sail'    Jacques Vapillon ©

Transat Jacques Vabre 2013, It's a wrap and reflections on the race now that all classes have finished

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/wrap

The eleventh edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race set the longest course yet in the 20 years history of the coffee route. The MOD70 one design Multihulls set a blistering pace with a head to match race all of the 5450 miles course from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brasil. The IMOCA Open 60 fleet featured 10 boats from the last Vendée Globe and the flourishing Class 40 fleet drew 26 entries and delivered a truly international podium. And the Multi 50 class also enjoyed a thrilling match race between the top two protagonists.

read more here

MOD70 update, Krys Ocean Race delayed till 2016 change of format will see the event welcome oceanic multihulls 50' and over

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by multionedesign

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Krys-Ocean-Race---New-format-dedicated-to-oceanic-multihulls/117230

Due to the difficulties of mobilising the competitors in this complicated economic environment, the organiser and partners (MOD SA, Krys Group, Brest) are postponing the second edition of the Krys Ocean Race until 2016 (it was originally scheduled for May 2014) and moving to a four-year cycle, alternating with the Route du Rhum.

The conditions to guarantee an event that aims to be the first transatlantic race 100% for multihulls were not met. Supported by the race partners, the Opticians Krys and the City of Brest, and buoyed by a first successful edition in 2012, when nearly 350,000 visitors came to the race village in Brest, the organisers had ambitious goals for this second edition on both a sporting level and as mode of communication. With six months to go until the event, there was still too much uncertainty hanging over this second edition in terms of participation, particularly among the MOD70. The organisers have already initiated discussions with other multihull classes to expand the fleet and create a new event dedicated to oceanic multihulls...This will be the format for the next edition in 2016. 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Epilogue inshore race Oman Air Musandam wins MOD70 division and Actual in the Multi50's

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/oman-air-musandam-win-postlogue-mod70

Prologue races have been part of the Transat Jacques Vabre build up in Le Havre in the past but for the first time today off Itajaí there was a postlogue for three classes, the MOD70s, Multi 50s and the IMOCA Open 60s.

It was a chance to renew friendly rivalries, take VIPs, guests – and indeed give hardworking shore crews and family and friends -  out to experience racing these different craft first hand, and to let the large numbers of spectators on the shore see the different classes in action.  Although the rain was a bit of a dampener, the action on the water more than compensated for the guests, who enjoyed some high speed racing in a moderate breeze.

In the MOD70 class, which sailed their full course, Oman Air Musandam, skippered by Sidney Gavignet with Ireland’s co-skipper Damian Foxall, won the match against Seb Josse and crew on Edmond de Rothschild.  Their race took around 90 minutes.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Multi50's Actual and FenetreA Cardinal continue their battle down Brazilian Coast

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/long-lining

The two leading Multi 50s continue their duel down the Brazilian coast in steady E’ly trade winds on what is presently just a straightforward head to head boatspeed contest. They have no real strategic options ahead until Cabo Frio at the entrance to the Bay of Rio. They should pass the entrance to Salvador de Bahia today in just a little over 12 days which will stand up well against the 2005 mark set by Franck Yves Escoffier of 12 days and 6 hours 14 minutes.

FenêtréA Cardinal (Le Roux-Elies) and Actual (Le Blévec-de Pavant) remain in close contact with some 25 miles separating this closely matched leading duo.

read more here


ENG - Jour 13 - Actual (IMOCA) - Transat... by TransatJacquesVabre

Transat Jacques Vabre update, MOD70 Oman Air has finished in Itajai

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/oman-air-musandam-second-itajai

Sidney Gavignet (FRA) and Damian Foxall (IRL) on the MOD70 Oman Air – Musandam crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre finish line off Itajai, Brasil at 20h 04m 09 sec local time (22h 04m 09 secs) 5 hrs and 15 seconds after the winner Edmond de Rothschild (Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier). The duo took 11 days 10 hours 04mins and 09 seconds to complete the 5,450 miles (theoretical course) between Le Havre and Itajaí, at an average speed of 19.71 kts. They actually sailed 5968 miles at an average of 21.77 kts.

This transatlantic race for the MOD70s was characterised by a fast, relatively testing exit of the English Channel followed after the Bay of Biscay by a difficult passage of Cape Finisterre in big seas and building winds – which skipper Gavignet later described as the worst he had seen on a MOD70 – before escaping into the Portuguese Trade Winds allowed an initial break by Edmond de Rothschild.

The two MOD70s closed up after the Doldrums and Oman Air – Musandam were less than 30 miles behind on Saturday night before they dropped off the back of the cold front there.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Newsflash MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild has finished with a convincing victory over Oman Air Musandam

The MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild team of Sebastian Josse and Charles Caudrelier  has taken out the victory in the MOD70 class in the 2013 Transat Jacques Vabre.

An official article has been posted on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/edmond-de-rothschild-first-itajai

And a rundown of the race from the team on Edmond de Rothschild:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/masters-mod70

MOD 70: Edmond de Rothschild vainqueur Transat... by TransatJacquesVabre

Transat Jacques Vabre update, MOD70's close in on the finishing line in Itajai, Brazil

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/compression-and-pressure

Closing fast with the finish in Itajai, Brasil where the parties started yesterday, Saturday, when the race village opened, a very warm welcome, exuberant welcome is expected for both MOD70s when they arrive. Expected during Monday afternoon (local time). Edmond de Rothschild still held a small advantage in to the final 500 miles but with a sequence of weather hurdles set in their way, victory in this eleventh edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre is set to be held in the balance until the very final hours.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, Multihulls slide through the doldrums with barely a pause

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/winning-against-doldrums

The Doldrums are continuing to prove difficult to decipher for the crews on the Transat Jacques Vabre. The MOD70s drove through and gave little away, in turn the Multi 50s leaders are through a without giving too much more away and now the IMOCA Open 60s are in the thick of it having learned little of value from those who preceded them down the passage to Itajai. The top five IMOCA wont have grounds for confidence in the outcome until Sunday evening. And behind them for Class 40, their trade winds are faltering.

In relative terms Class 40 have it easier. GDF SUEZ (Rogues – Delahaye) continue to lead even with the lighter winds heading them, but those who are chasing them seem to have slightly better conditions, less shifty and squally. And so it seems that the hunters pulled back a few miles, and separated further in the shiftizng breeze.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Oman Air-Musandam make some tactical decisions to close gap on leading MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild

From the following article on bymnews.com

 

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=125301

 

As Sidney Gavignet, Oman Air-Musandam’s French skipper and Damian Foxall, his co skipper from Ireland, reach the Doldrums and the halfway mark of this epic 5,450nm race after just six days at sea; they face some big decisions.

Sitting just 70nm behind the other MOD70, Edmond de Rothschild, the pair is dedicated to maintaining boat speed and making up the distance. They are taking turns on the helm to keep the boat ‘flying’ as Sidney describes: “We don’t have capsize concerns at the moment, nor much adrenaline, the current conditions mean we are completely engaged in the pursuit of speed, we need to keep the boat flying at all times and to keep the centre hull out of the water to reduce drag and increase speed. It takes a lot of concentration,” he described via an email sent overnight.

When we spoke to Damian Foxall at dawn, the boat speed was high at 25 knots in 20-25 knots of wind and the pair had 200nm to go until the Doldrums.

 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, MOD70 Oman Air-Musandam step up the pace in Transat match race

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Oman Sail:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Transat-Jacques-Vabre---Oman-Air-Musandam-changes-to-a-faster-mode/116568

At the front of the Transat Jacques Vabre fleet, the two MOD70s continue their match race as they pass Madeira and approach the Canary Islands on a southwesterly heading. The duo onboard Oman Air-Musandam are better rested and have changed the configuration of the boat to a faster mode.

Damian Foxall (IRL) answered the phone onboard Oman Air-Musandam this morning while French skipper Sidney Gavignet was up on deck in 30 knots doing 24 knots of boat speed.

'We changed the configuration on the boat in the last six hours and are in a slightly faster mode now,' said Damian.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, fleet takes a pounding MOD70's clear of the worst of the weather Multi50's taking the brunt of the conditions

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/full-frontal-attack

For a few hours in particular today the middle of the Bay of Biscay will be an unforgiving section of the 5450 miles race course for the Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brasil.

The Multi 50’s were bearing the brunt of the passage of a low pressure trough which was producing violent squalls and big, messy seas. In fact the IMOCA Open 60’s go slightly better in these conditions, while the two MOD70’s are well clear of the worst of the weather and making good speeds after Cape Finisterre and now off the Iberian peninsula.

The poor conditions will last until Sunday for the Multi50s and IMOCA Open 60s as this deep low pressure which has emanated from Newfoundland and is tracking quickly makes life very testing for the Multi50s especially. This is exacerbated by the wind shifts between SW and W with more than 30kts average and much more in the gusts, the crossed seas make it very bouncy and unpleasant for the multihulls.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre update, Close racing in the Multi50's and MOD70's

The Transat Jacques Vabre fleet minus the Class 40 monohulls that have taken shelter in the Bay of Biscay are preparing to deal with the rough conditions which are approaching. 

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre news page:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/close-fought-war-gulf

As the 26 Class 40 duos take shelter in Roscoff to miss the strong winds of the Bay of Biscay depression the three other classes (Multi 50, IMOCA and MOD70 ) are set up for a tough night with big seas and strong winds.

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, Fleet departs from Le Havre destination Itajai (Brazil)

From the following article on the Transat Jacques Vabre website:

http://www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en/race

With Class 40 having their weather stop and the MOD 70’s likely to be quick enough to avoid the worst of the weather in the Bay of Biscay – the big multihull duo should be at Finisterre, or near enough, by the time the worst of the weather hits, it looks like the IMOCA Open 60 fleet and the Multi 50’s which might bear the brunt of the big winds and seas which are forecast to build almost as soon as they clear Ushant.

First for them is the long, tactical beat out of the Channel, balancing the options of more breeze in the north against a more favourable shift in wind direction arriving first from the south. The advantage is likely to increase for the leaders and so there is considerable pressure to push as hard as possible to start with, but in the knowledge that maximum energies will be needed across the Bay of Biscay. In the very early stages it was the established favourites, Macif, sailed by Michel Desjoyeaux and Francois Gabart – who hold three Vendée Globe wins between them – who lead from the first mark, three miles from the start line, ahead of Marc Guillemot and Pascal Bidégorry.

read more here

The tracker for the Transat Jacques Vabre is active now:

http://tracking.transat-jacques-vabre.com/fr/


Départ - Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 by TransatJacquesVabre

Transat Jacques Vabre, Departure from Le Havre set for this Monday

From the following bymnews article:

 

http://bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=124806

 

After a constant and careful analysis of the weather forecasts for Sunday, the directors of the Transat Jacques Vabre double handed race from Le Havre to Itajaí, Brazil have taken the decision to postpone the start until Monday 4th November at 1415hrs (local).

All of the fleet of twenty-six Class 40’s, ten IMOCA monohulls, Multi-50’s will head off for the 5400 miles course direct to Itajaí but the two MOD70’s will contest a coastal course before standing by in Le Havre’s Paul Vatine basin until Wednesday.

 

read more here

Transat Jacques Vabre, MOD70 crews prepare to go head to head across the Atlantic

From the following article on bymnews:

 

http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=124728

 

Two identical MOD70’s go head to head across the Atlantic in what promises to be a mouth watering match race on this Transat Jacques Vabre. The two duos, Sidney Gavignet and Damian Foxall on Oman Air-Musandam and Sébastien Josse and Charles Caudrelier are all long-time friends, some former crewmates together on different ocean races, occasional sparring and training partners, but from the start gun of this Transat Jacques Vabre, no quarter will be given, they are hard bitten rivals all with the same drive and desire to get to Itajaí first. For the MOD70’s, this time, there is no second place.

The biggest challenge: to sail double handed on the MOD70
The two teams have worked with each other to make small technical changes to make the identical racing machines, which are designed for crewed racing, suitable for double handed racing. These changes include autopilots, anti capsize systems which release the sheets at a certain heel angle and rear ballast tanks. But the teams know only too well that two MOD70’s have already capsized this season on relatively inshore waters, and indeed three of the four skippers have experienced their own flavour of disappointment and disaster on this often cruel Transatlantic race, and so their determined drive will be tempered with ample caution at times.

 

read more here