The 2013 Class40 season has just been completed on an unusually intense edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre.
This long transat has been lead briskly and has crowned an international podium, even if there have always been fight at all stages. For three weeks, the Class40s have undertaken an exciting offshore regatta.
And this is not over! 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 ... a calendar of stable and mixed races is proposed for Class40 skippers and their sponsors: enough to get together some strong projects!
GDF SUEZ (Rogues/Delahaye), undisputed leader along these 5 450 nm between Le Havre and Itajaï, had been under the pressure of two teams until Brazil: Tales Santander 2014 (Pella/Santurde) is on the second podium step followed closely by Mare (Riechers/Brasseur).
The care of the equipment has been a key factor in the success of this transat raced almost exclusively downwind. The sails and the general condition of the boat (the bowsprit in particular) have significantly affects the performance of each team, showing new duels between recent boats and Class40 of the 2nd generation, and/or between experienced crews vs duets of challengers.
All safe and sound
23 out of the 26 Class40 competitors who had left Le Havre Thursday November 7th have arrived in Itajaï. Only three Class40 had to withdraw (technical issue on board Marie Galante (Rivard/Clerton) and Concise 8 (Collier Wakefield/Goodchild) and medical problem on board Dunkerque - Planète enfants (Jourdren/Ruyant)).
Once again, the transatlantic race has been very interesting. And, in the image of the diversity of the class, the top 10 includes 6 architects and 4 nationalities.
Annual ranking*
After a remarkable season (6 victories out of 7 events), GDF SUEZ skippered by Sébastien Rogues has won hands down the 2013 Class40 Championship. Campagne de France (Halvard Mabire) comes 2nd and Groupe Picoty (Jean-Christophe Caso) rzaches the third step of the podium.
2014 – 2017 : a consistent race calendar
Now, the skippers of the Class40 and their sponsors can rely on a stable program of races.
A varied program, conceived to meet the “offshore” and “inshore” skippers expectations.
A program in which sailors will chose the races they want to participate, based on their budget, their availability or the objectives of their sponsors.
C. Ecarlat
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PREVISIONNAL CLASS40 CALENDAR 2014 - 2017
2014
2 – 5 May : Grand Prix Guyader
9 – 24 May: The Atlantic Cup
25 May – 1st June : Normandy Channel Race
22 – 29 June: Record SNSM & 1000nm solo-handed race between Saint-Nazaire, Spain, Ireland and back to St Nazaire
18 – 21 September : Worlds in Douarnenez
5 – 23 November : Route du Rhum
2015 (all dates TBC)
28 April – 1er May: Grand Prix Douarnenez
14 – 21 May: Normandy Channel Race
23 – 31 May: The Atlantic Cup
21 – 23 June: Record SNSM
4 – 26 July : Les Sables – Horta – Les Sables
16 – 23 August : Fastnet Race
1er – 29 November : Transat Jacques Vabre
2016 (all dates TBC)
27 mars - 23 avril : La Solidaire du Chocolat
28 avril – 1er May: Grand Prix de Douarnenez
15 – 29 May: The Atlantic Cup
19 – 21 June: Record SNSM
3 – 24 July: Québec – Saint Malo
27 August – 4 September : Normandy Channel Race
2017 (all dates TBC)
4 – 7 May: Grand Prix de Douarnenez
13 – 24 May: The Atlantic Cup
25 – 27 June: Record SNSM
2 – 24 July : Les Sables – Horta – Les Sables
13 – 20 August: Fastnet Race
29 Oct. – 26 Nov. : Transat Jacques Vabre
http://www.class40.com/en/calendrier/
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* 7 races were part of the 2013 Class40 Championship
Normandy Channel Race (coefficient 2)
Grand Prix Guyader (coefficient 1)
Atlantic Cup (coefficient 2)
Record SNSM (coefficient 1)
Les Sables-Horta (coefficient 2)
Rolex Fastnet Race (coefficient 1)
Transat Jacques Vabre (coefficient 4)
49 boats have participated