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Rolex Commodores’ Cup 2008
The Rolex Commodores’ Cup 2006 was won by the French team
led by Gery Trentesaux. Gery had also
led the victorious French team in 2002, but last year the French won against
all the odds – in Gery’s words “today perhaps – God is French”. The strongest teams on Paper before the vent
were definitely the Irish who fielded 3 teams of well prepared and crewed
boats, most of which were brand new that season. John Shepard’s Ker 46Fair Do’s VII ended as top
individual boat of the regatta and John had some fairly strong words to say
about the need for the GBR teams to have greater time to train before the event
if GBR is to regain the Rolex Commodores’ Cup that it won in 2004.
The feedback from competitors prompted a thorough review of
the event and the format has been modified to take into account many of the
views expressed. One heartening aspect was the demand for early notification of
the rating bands for 2008 so that teams could prepare their campaign, and there
is no doubt that some teams are already gearing themselves up. The Irish are definitely planning to return
next year and are already talking of three teams. There is no question that the Irish see the
winning of the Rolex Commodores’ cup as unfinished business! Gery Trentesaux
has said that he will certainly be involved in trials and team selection for
what he expects to be “3 serious French teams to keep the Cup”. However, after campaigning in 3 Rolex Commodores’ Cups, Gery himself isn’t sure
whether he will be returning or will continue his Class 40 sailing. Amongst French plans are 2 boats for the
Batistyl team from the Archambaut yard, an A35 and an A40. The Club is also aware that USA is looking
to enter a team, and with the increasing number of IRC boats racing in the
States this return to the highest level of international IRC racing would be
marvellous for the event.
What of GBR plans? Former RORC Commodore Peter Rutter, John
Shepard and Jerry Otter are combining to create a team for the next Rolex
Commodores’ Cup. All 3 have considerable experience of the event and have
represented England
over many years although only Jerry has been part of a winning team in
2004. They all feel that only a
professional team approach towards this Corinthian event will win the trophy
back to England,
now that the event is so hotly contested. John will be fully working up his Fair
Do’s VII, Jerry is in negotiations to charter a very successful boat of
previous events, and Peter is having a new Quokka built. He has commissioned a
new 36 footer from John Corby to be a development of Blondie but to fit at the
upper end of the small boat band. John Corby intends that this boat will be the
first of a limited production run. She will be built in Poland and is due to arrive in England in
September this year to allow the Quokka team a full work up programme to get
the best out of her for the event. Both Silva electronics and Selden
carbon masts are using the boat as a test bed for new developments and Lewmar
are providing the winches and deckgear. Peter Rutter said “all the Quokka team
are completely fired up for this new project and are helping in the fine tuning
of deck plans to ensure she is really efficient to sail. Given John Corby’s track
record for building fast boats we hope to have a real performer for the team in
the small boat spot”. All three owners
are aware that simply having the boats is no longer enough, and are creating a
programme for the team to raise their standard to a level where they will be
difficult to beat.
Rolex Fastnet 2007
The recent announcement by the Club that entries for this
year’s Rolex Fastnet Race has produced a flurry of entries determined not to
miss out! The main reason behind this
“cap” on entries is essentially one of administering and checking the entry
qualifications for such a large fleet.
Originally imposed as an informal cap after the 1979 Fastnet, the Club
has seen numbers gradually creep up from around 250 to over 280 in 2005 and so
has given due warning for this year! As
this Seahorse goes to print, over 175 entries have been received including
Neville Crichton’s latest 100 foot canting keel maxi Alfa Romeo and Fastnet
veteran Piet Vroon returning for his 23rd Fastnet as skipper in his
Lutra 56 Formidable. Mike Slade’s Farr designed
Leopard 3 will be another boat looking for line honours along with Neville
Crichton’s former Alfa Romeo now named Rambler and skippered by Ken Read,
skipper of the Puma Racing Team Volvo 70. Other entries include 4 ORMA 60
multihulls, at least 10 Open 60s, a clutch of Open 40s along with evergreen
entries such as Contessa 32s and Sigma 38s.
All the signs are there for a classic Rolex Fastnet.
Liferafts
The RORC has been made aware that some owners have had their
liferafts serviced at centres that have not been approved by
manufacturers. The majority of liferaft
manufacturers list approved service centres on their websites. Attention is drawn to ISAF Offshore Special
Regs 4.20.5A which covers Liferaft Servicing and Inspection. The main point is that staff at unapproved
centres may not have been properly trained to service particular rafts, nor do
they have direct access to manufacturers spare parts or advisory safety
bulletins.
It’s that boat again!
The opening offshore race of the RORC UK calendar was the
Cervantes Trophy. With 122 boats
entries, the course took the fleet along the English coats in a light NE’ly
before heading across to the finish in Le
Havre. Line
honours went to Peter Harding’s TP52 Fidessa Fastwave II, but the breeze that
filled in as the fleet began to finish allowed the smaller boats to make up
time. Overall winner was Jean-Yves
Chateau in his Nicholson 33 Iromiguy.
The winner of the 2005 Rolex Fastnet race is clearly looking to mount a
strong defence of his trophy!
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Seahorse Club Page July 2007 
