Class40, 2012 season : reflections and new measures

The start of the Solidaire du Chocolat, on the 11th March in Saint-Nazaire, marked the beginning of Class40’s 2012 season. The General Meeting, held in February, made François Angoulvant President, and the partially renewed board got to work straight away: new changes to the class rules, reflections on the Global Ocean Race and organisational requirements for the Class’ next double-handed transatlantic race.


The eleven participating boats of the Solidaire du Chocolat started the 2012 season under spinnaker, and benefiting from ideal weather conditions ! After 2 weeks of racing, the fleet are approaching the Caribbean. The standards are high and consistent on this transatlantic race from France to Mexico. The first arrivals are expected at the very beginning of April in Progreso, Mexico.

The Global Ocean Race : points for reflection
Another major Class40 event is under way, the Global Ocean Race. Four pairs are still racing, with the last two laps of this round the world race to go. Since the start of this circumnavigation race last September, and despite suffering some strong winds in South Seas, no serious incidents have occurred, confirming the Class40 boats’ robustness.
The board are however putting several question forward regarding this round the world race :
-    The frequency ? Similar to the Vendée Globe and the Route du Rhum, a start every 4 years seems to be a very good solution for the participants.
-    Solo or double-handed ? Which would be the best adapted format for Class40 ? An analysis of the 2011-12 edition will be carried out once the race has ended at Sables d’Olonne in June, by its organiser Josh Hall and the representatives of the class, in order to determine the future of Class40 round the world races.

Organisational requirements for the double-handed transatlantic races
In terms of transatlantic races, it’s all happening too : Class40 has proposed organisational requirements for the biannual double-handed transatlantic race which should fit between the editions of the Route du Rhum and the Québec- Saint Malo. The class wishes therefore to bring structure and harmony to its calendar of events, and to offer to both participants and organisers a view of the calendar over several years.

Rules : containing costs and technical advances
Finally, concerning the rules, current reflections take into account the latest technical advances of the newest boats. The purpose of these rules is to contain the cost of Class40s, as well as maintaining their technical accessibility. Be that as it may, after the Solidaire du Chocolat, fleets of Class40s are expected at the Atlantic Cup in May on the east coast of the United-States, and of course at the start of the great Québec-Saint Malo this summer !


Photo : Bernard Gergaud