The fleet of SM40s at Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 23 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.
by Cailah Leask
The 4th leg of the Tour has a fleet of Swedish Match 40 race boats which are a real favourite with the teams. Designed by Pelle Petterson, creator of the America’s Cup challenger ‘Sverige’, these 40 footers bear a striking resemblance to a Cup Class sloop with their slab sided, narrow style and large sail plan.
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team who won Portugal Match Cup last year understands the importance of using yachts that are customised to the specific racing discipline, "The Swedish Match 40 was designed for match racing, it's sort of a miniature AC boat".
The cockpit is wide open and runs nearly half the length of the boat. Crews find this model particularly physically demanding so fitness training is critical before this event.
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra is also a fan of the SM40 race boats at Portimão, “They are well maintained and in good shape, very different to the Korean boats and much heavier, we know them from the past”.
The SM40s provide sufficient performance to be interesting to both spectators and sailors alike, but at the same time are easily maintained and inexpensive to build. This is a perfect balance for the industry authority on premium match racing.
Portimao Portugal Match Cup
World Match Racing Tour
