We will here cast a glow on these races across the Atlantic: the US East-Coast circuit.
Sharing, helping, friendliness, teamwork, accessibility, international, are all terms that define the Class40 philosophy. The international side is characterized, among other things, by the mixed origins of the class members (16 nationalities in 2012), but also its races across several continents. This circuit goes well beyond the official program and promotion. We will here cast a glow on these races across the Atlantic: the US East-Coast circuit.
By having since 2008, Michael Hennessy (skipper of 54 - Dragon) US representative, the Class40 shows its interest for increasing its International development. This status within the Board of Directors highlights a circuit and a fleet often unknown from the general public. This fleet includes ten skippers sailing under the US flag in which we can add Quebec and Bahamas sailors. It's on the six-event circuit totaling not less than 3 500 miles that this fleet race together every year.
This circuit is highlighted with its 900 miles key race, dedicated to Class40, the « Atlantic Cup », from Charleston to Newport, via an unforgettable stopover in Manhattan (New York). This race, which appears in the official Class40 race calendar, welcomes every four years a part of the European fleet during their Atlantic Ocean tour. It is the intermediate step, which winds up the American-east coast between the two Transats, « La Solidaire du Chocolat » and « Québec-Saint Malo ».
Just to mention the name of the hosts' harbors, at start and finish, makes it more than a dream. The « Pineapple Cup », 811 miles race between Port Everglades in South Florida and Montego Bay in Jamaica or even the « Bermuda One-Two » which offers a return of 1270 miles between Newport Harbor and Bermuda islands are perfect examples. Further North, the « Marblehead to Halifax » race, with a distance of 363 miles, proposes to go sailing in cooler waters along the beautiful Canadian coasts.
The « Key West Feeder Race », 160 miles along the Florida coasts, and the « Rolex St. Thomas », inshore race on the Caribbean Sea, are part of small local races that complete this circuit.
For the Board of Directors, it is particularly important to maintain and develop the relationship with these races which gives an international vision to the Class40 association. Aside the « Atlantic Cup », the American racings in which participates Class40 yachts are also opened to the IRC fleet. One of this year's objective is to introduce Class40 boats to IRC skippers so that they discover this boats and help, why not, to develop the American fleet.
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