F18 Worlds : The Lords of the Wind are Darren Bundock and Jeroen Van Leeuwen

Darren Bundock and Jeroen Van Leeuwen won the Gold medal. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

Ladies and gentlemen, the gold medal of the Groupama Garancia F18 Catamaran World Championship goes to...
Darren Bundock (AUS) and Jeroen Van Leeuwen (NED) sailing a C2
Mixed crew World Champions are Carolijn Brouwer and Wouter Samama, also sailing a C2


The podium: Gold - Darren Bundock and Jeroen Van Leeuwen, Silver - Mischa Heemskerk and Bastiaan Tentij, Bronze - Vittorio Bissaro – Lamberto Cesari. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

by Gabi Biar

Those who visited the Balaton or followed the GPS tracking on the internet could witness four very exciting races today, thanks to the perfect wind.

“It was worth to be early, because we could manage to start four races. All of them were full of serious battles,” Attila R. Nagy, the president of the BYC said. There were huge fights for the first place.


The podium. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

Here are the champions:

1. (AUS) Darren Bundock – Jeroen van Leeuwen
2. (NED) Mischa Heemskerk – Bastiaan Tentij
3. (ITA) Vittorio Bissaro – Lamberto Cesari
4. (BEL) Carolijn Brouwer – Wouter Samama
5. (NED) Pim Nieuwenhuis – Ferdinand von West
6. (NED) Coen de Koning – Thye Visser
7. (FRA) Pierre Le Clainche – Antoine Joubert
8. (FRA) Moana Vaireaux – Romain Petit
9. (FRA) Jean Cristophe Mourniac – Arnaud Jarlegan
10. (FRA) Charles Hainneville – David Faonnuillére


The winners: Darren Bundock and Jeroen Van Leeuwen. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

The F18 catamaran racing is usually called the F1 of sailing, and in Balatonfüred the prize giving ceremony was similar to the Formula One’s because the champions got great goblets at the Kisfaludy stage. The winners thanked the organizers' work and shared their impressions about the beauty of the Lake Balaton.


The winners. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

“It was a very exciting championship, because the direction of the wind changed all the time,” - Darren Bundock, the 13 times world champions said. “For that moment we crossed the finish line, we were not sure about our victory,” Jeroen van Leeuwen added. “So many things happened; we counted our points because there was just 2 points difference between us and Mischa. We didn’t start well, and Mischa defended his position, but it made the race so much fun.”


Silver medal winners. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

“We did everything for the victory but in the end Darren was a bit faster,” Bastiaan Tentij said. „We are so happy with the silver medal. It’s always fun to race with Darren, we can fight great battles. The hard thing was the wind, what changed all the time unexpectedly, but today it was all right.”


Mischa Heemskerk goes for a swim. Image copyright Pierrick Contin

Among the Hungarian contestants Váradi Szabó János and Petheö Tamás finished on the 37th place and the Diószegi Zoltán – Jankovics Gábor duo finished 49th. Bianka Róka a fresh debut on the side of Fréderique Pfeiffer achieved the 23rd place of the silver fleet, which is very good among the women.


Image copyright Pierrick Contin

“There was a southwestern wind and the organizers situated a very good but challenging course. We had some technical difficulties that’s why we couldn’t sail as fast as earlier, and we tailed away 9 places but we are so happy with our result,” János Váradi Szabó said.


Image copyright Pierrick Contin


Image copyright Pierrick Contin

“The weather was beautiful today, nice sunshine and stable wind, that’s why it was not so tricky today. It’s so different to race in the gold fleet, especially the tempo of the start what was amazing. It was good to race with world-class contestants; we have to evolve a lot, but now we can see the right direction,” Zoltán Diószegi said.


Image copyright Pierrick Contin


Image copyright Pierrick Contin

The participants – came all over the world – could spend meaningful days in Hungary. They can preserve nice memories of the regatta, and come back again, maybe for another world championship.

Groupama Garancia F18 Worlds

Record du Tour des Iles Britanniques : Le Maxi Banque Populaire V fait tomber le record

The successful team on board Banque Populaire V as they crossed the finishing line of the Lizard. Image copyright BPCE

Video from crossing the finishing line off the Lizard, and other images on board Banque Populaire V au Tour des Iles Britanniques:


Banque Populaire V

Record du Tour des Iles Britanniques : Banque Populaire V is the New Record Holder

Loïck Peyron et les 12 équipiers du Maxi Banque Populaire V nouveaux détenteurs du Record du Tour des îles Britanniques !


Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE

par Voile Banque Populaire media (in translation by SailRaceWin)

The official time for crossing the finishing line off the Lizard as registered by the World Speed Sailing Record Council is 23:06:58 (Paris time). The oceanic maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V therefore becomes the new holders of the Record of the Tour des Iles Britanniques this Friday, 8th July 2011.

Bravo to Loïck, Juan Vila, Kevin Escoffier, Xavier Revil, Florent Chastel, Frédéric Le Peutrec, Emmanuel Le Borgne, Billy Besson, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant , Yvan Ravussin, Brian Thompson, Thierry Chabagny, Pierre-Yves Moreau!

Loïck Peyron, the skipper and his twelve team members have covered 2077 milles (3900 km) in 3 days 3 hours 49 minutes and 14 seconds. The Banque Populaire team beat, by on day and 12 hours the solo performance by French sailor Sidney Gavignet at the helm of Oman Air Majan (4d 15h 9m 27s) in August 2010.

The Maxi Banque Populaire which has now recorded its 5th record is expected tomorrow morning at its home port and the base of the sailors at Lorient about 9am (French time).

Reference time of the Maxi Banque Populaire V / FRA - 08 July 2011 awaiting ratification by the WSSRC (World Speed Sailing Record Council):
3 days 3 hours 49 minutes 14 seconds

Distance covered : 2077 nautical miles (3900 km)
Difference with Oman Air Majan : 1d 12h

Oman Air Majan / FRA (Sidney Gavignet solo) : 4d 15h 9min 27s - August 2010
Playstation / USA (Steve Fossett and his team) : 4d 16h 9mn 36s - October 2002

In French :


Loïck Peyron on the helm as Banque Populaire V hurtles by the Fastnet Rock on 8th July 2011. Image copyright Brian Thompson/BPCE

L'heure officielle de passage de la ligne d'arrivée au Cap Lizard enregistrée par le World Speed Sailing Record Council est 23h 06mn 58sec (heure Paris). Le maxi trimaran océanique Banque Populaire V est alors devenu le nouveau détenteur du Record du Tour des îles Britanniques ce vendredi 8 juillet 2011.

Bravo à Loïck, Juan Vila, Kevin Escoffier, Xavier Revil, Florent Chastel, Frédéric Le Peutrec, Emmanuel Le Borgne, Billy Besson, Jean-Baptiste Levaillant , Yvan Ravussin, Brian Thompson, Thierry Chabagny, Pierre-Yves Moreau !

Loïck Peyron, son skipper et ses douze équipiers ont parcouru 2077 milles (3900 km) en 3j 3h 49mn 14s. Le Team Banque Populaire bat de 1 jour 12h la performance réalisée, en solitaire, par le navigateur français Sidney Gavignet à la barre de Oman Air Majan (4j 15h 9mn 27s) en août 2010.

Le Maxi Banque Populaire qui enregistre ici son 5e record est attendu demain matin à son port d'attache de la base des sous marins à Lorient aux alentours de 9h.

Temps de référence du Maxi Banque Populaire V / FRA - 08 juillet 2011 en attente d'homologation par la WSSRC (World Speed Sailing Record Council) :
3 jours 3 heures 49 minutes 14 secondes

Distance parcourue : 2077 milles (3900 km)
Ecart avec Oman Air Majan : 1j 12h

Oman Air Majan / FRA (Sidney Gavignet solitaire) : 4j 15h 9min 27s - août 2010
Playstation / USA (Steve Fossett et son équipage) : 4j 16h 9mn 36s - octobre 2002

Equipage du Maxi Banque Populaire V/Crew of the Maxi Banque Populaire V

Loïck Peyron : skipper, Chef de quart
Juan Vila : navigateur, hors quart

Quart n°1
Kevin Escoffier : barreur/régleur
Xavier Revil : barreur/régleur
Florent Chastel : n°1 / réglage / responsable médical et gréement

Quart n°2
Frédéric Le Peutrec : Chef de quart
Emmanuel Le Borgne : Barreur / régleur
Billy Besson : Barreur / régleur
Jean-Baptiste Levaillant : Barreur / régleur

Quart n°3
Yvan Ravussin : Chef de quart, responsable vidéo et composite
Brian Thompson : Barreur-régleur
Pierre-Yves Moreau : Réglage / responsable accastillage et composite
Thierry Chabagny : N°1 / Barreur-régleur

Marcel van Triest : routeur à terre

Banque Populaire V

Record du Tour des Iles Britanniques : Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire V on Target for 3 days and 3 hours

Banque Populaire V set to pulversise the Round Britain and Ireland Sailing Record time


Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE

by SailRaceWin

The maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V is approaching Cornwall and her starting point of the Lizard peninsula. She is currently doing 29.8 knots with 120 nautical miles left to sail.


Loick Peyron (right), skipper of Banque Populaire V, en route around the British Isles. Image copyright BPCE.

It appears that the maxi trimaran, skippered by Loick Peyron, will cross the finishing line off the Lizard at about 9pm local time in the UK tonight, around 3 days and 3 hours after setting off on her record attempt around the British Isles.


On board Banque Populaire V during the round Britain and Ireland record attempt. Image copyright BPCE

The current record time for the course, set last August by Sidney Gavignet sailing solo aboard the A100 trimaran Oman Air Majan, is 4 days 15 hours 9 minutes and 27 seconds, so Banque Populaire V is set to break this by a day and a half (36 hours); an incredible feat!

Banque Populaire V

Rolex Ilhabella Sailing Week : Superb Images from Carlo Borlenghi

Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi


Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Carlo Borlenghi

Rolex Fastnet Race : World's Largest Ocean-Going Maxi Trimaran Banque Populaire V Enters

Banque Populaire V will be joined by two new MOD 70s in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011


Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE.

by Trish Jenkins

Brian Thompson from Southampton, UK, has notched up more multihull sailing miles than any other Briton and has amassed 25 sailing records in the process. For the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race, Brian will be racing on the giant maxi Banque Populaire V, Skippered by the legendary Loick Peyron, the 140-foot trimaran is hot favourite to take line honours and the course record for the Rolex Fastnet Race in the multihull division. The Royal Ocean Racing Club has permitted these ocean giants to enter the race, something that Brian Thompson applauds:


Brian Thompson (GBR), trimmer/helmsman on Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE


Loick Peyron, skipper, Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE

"I think it is really fantastic that RORC have opened up the event, it is a real celebration of sailing to see a Sigma 33 on the same race course as Banque Populaire. I don't think there has ever been a major ocean race like this one with such a diversity of boats. All credit to RORC for making it such an open event."


Two new MOD 70s, Race for Water and Veolia Environnement, will also compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race 2011. Image copyright Yvan Zedda/Sea&Co

"It is really valuable to get Banque Populaire into race mode, there are two brand new MOD 70s, which will be really quick, we are twice their length but in light air they could be good. We are set up to go around the world non-stop with the prevailing winds but even upwind, we are very efficient as we have trim tabs, dagger boards, a canting mast, so we have all the right kit. When you see Banque Populaire at the start, you will see how amazing she is, it is a pleasure for me, every time we go out.

Video portrait of Brian Thompson (GBR) on board Banque Populaire V


"Personally I have been on board doing 45 knots and the top speed recorded is 47 knots. I hope that we will beat the record, the average speed we need to break the round the world record is 24.5 knots and the Fastnet should be a lot faster because we should have more guaranteed weather but if it is a drifter there is no way we could get the record. The ideal conditions for the boat would be a wind angle of 110-125 true wind angle, we could then be sailing at 1.8 times the wind speed at times, say 25 knots of boat speed in 15 knots of wind. We will probably have a crew of fifteen plus Digby Fox who will be filming on board, last time he did the race in an old gaff rigged Pilot Cutter, Morwenna and we hope that we will be able to get him round a bit quicker this time!"

Banque Populaire V
Rolex Fastnet Race

Rolex Fastnet Race : International Allure

Rolex Fastnet Race : Cowes-Plymouth, UK, via the Fastnet Rock!


Overall winner in 2009, RAN. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

by Trish Jenkins

The allure of the Rolex Fastnet Race continues to attract competitors from around the globe. 19 different nations will be represented in this year's race with entries from the following countries: Austria; Belgium; China; Finland; France; Great Britain; Germany; Hong Kong; Ireland; Italy; Lithuania; Netherland; New Zealand; Norway; Russia; Switzerland; Sweden; United Arab Emirates and USA. The British and French make up the bulk of the fleet, but the entries prove that the Rolex Fastnet still crosses the oceans as it did in its earliest days.


Luna Rossa beating to the Fastnet Rock. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

Tracking: Follow the Yellowbrick....

Yellowbrick are delighted to be providing the tracking devices for this year's Rolex Fastnet Race, which will relay real-time position data from the race, and display it on a simple-to-use race viewer accessed through the event website. Friends and family will be able to track competitors' every move!

The compact yellow devices are becoming a familiar sight for many offshore racers; Yellowbricks have now been used in more than 70 international yacht regattas, including the Velux 5 Oceans Race, Barcelona World Race, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.


RAN at the start of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

In the 2011 Rolex Fastnet, every boat will be provided with a Yellowbrick. Fully automatic and self-contained, the devices obtain GPS position data and transmit it back to Yellowbrick HQ using the Iridium Satellite System, no matter where it is placed in the world. Each boat's position is updated within seconds of the data being transmitted, and displayed immediately online via the race viewer.

Nick Farrell, Managing Director of Yellowbrick, says; "We are looking forward to providing tracking devices for the Rolex Fastnet Race, which is renowned as one of the most challenging yacht races there is. Yellowbricks are lightweight, waterproof and built to withstand extreme environments, so no matter what challenges the competitors might face on the water, spectators and organisers will be able to know each yacht's exact location at all times. A social media feed is also part of the race viewer for the first time this year, adding a whole new dimension to the race."

Past Winners Return


Tonnerre de Breskens. Image copyright Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

Tonnerre de Breskens (NED):
Piet Vroon has been racing with the Royal Ocean Racing Club since the 1950's and at 81 years young, he is probably the oldest competitor in the race. As skipper of the Ker 46, Tonnerre de Breskens, Piet has enjoyed tremendous success. However, the Fastnet Trophy eluded him for nearly half a century before he finally won it in 2001. Since 1955, Piet has only failed to go around the Fastnet Rock on two occasions, once when the yacht was dismasted and secondly to attend his mother's funeral: "It is a very hard race to win overall," commented Piet.

"First of all you have to have a good boat and crew but also you need to have the same wind as everybody else. Often the bigger boats get different weather to the rest, so it makes it much harder to win with a smaller boat. If we all get the same weather, then everybody has a chance. Last time was the first Rolex Fastnet with the new boat and were second in our class. However, we would like to do better than that this year, we know the boat a lot more, we have better sails and a good crew, so I have high hopes for the race. At my age, I am old enough to be the grandfather of all of the competitors but there comes a time when I have to stop, so I will enjoy this one as if it is my last."

Iromiguy (FRA):
Jean-Yves Chateau will be racing again this year in Class Four. Chateau is one of only three sailors from France that have lifted the Fastnet Trophy, winning with his Nicholson 33, Iromiguy in 2005. The only two previous French winners were the legendary Eric Tabarly (Pen-Duick III - 1969) and Catherine Chabaud (Whirlpool-Europe 2 - 1999), the only female skipper to have won the race overall.


LUNA ROSSA charging down the Solent during the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race. Image copyright Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

Iromiguy's win in 2005 was quite exceptional as it was one of the smallest yachts in the fleet in a race traditionally dominated by big boats. Iromiguy's victory was a dream come true, proof that just occasionally the Corinthian weekend enthusiast can prevail in an unremarkable boat. What is remarkable is that you have to go back to 1975 for the last time that a yacht less than 40 feet long won the offshore classic.

"In 2005 I came to win my class," said Chateau. "But I didn't think it was possible to win the whole race. It was unbelievable, a childhood dream." The St. Malo skipper has owned Iromiguy for nearly 30 years. "Every year I go to the French boat show and I say I must buy a new boat, but every year I find myself sailing this one. The sails are worth more than the boat," he admitted. In any case, the sentimental value to Chateau after her memorable victory must make her priceless.


Karl Kwok's Beau Geste, after rounding the Fastnet Rock. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi.

The Fastnet Rock

The Fastnet Lighthouse positioned at 51°23'.3N 009°36'.1W is known as 'The Teardrop of Ireland' - the last sight of Ireland for emigrants sailing to America. The Fastnet Rock is 4.5 miles South West of Cape Clear and Mizen Head. There are two pinnacles of hard clay shale with veins of quartz rising to a height of 30 metres above the low water mark, all surrounded by deep water. The height of the tower is 54 metres. The Corporation of Trinity House sanctioned the first lighthouse, a cast iron tower, in 1848 to replace the Cape Clear Lighthouse, which was too far inside the dangers, too high and too often obscured by fog. This first Fastnet light first shone on New Year's Day 1854. There were originally six keepers associated with the Fastnet Rock - four on the rock at a time with the other two on leave. Relief were twice a month when two men were taken off; each man did four weeks on, two weeks off. One man had to stay on watch during daytime to look out for fog and to signal passing ships. As soon as fog was seen, another man was called up to work the fog signal!

Supporters: Pantaenius Buoy

The Pantaenius Buoy is a Special Buoy which is laid by Irish Lights on behalf of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, as a spreader mark after the Fastnet Rock. Sponsors Pantaenius have been providing yacht insurance to yacht owners all over the world and with over 65,000 clients, is the number one insurance provider in Europe.


RAN rounding the Fastnet Rock. Image copyright Rolex/Kurt Arrigo.

RORC Racing Manager Ian Loffhagen explains its purpose as a spreader mark and safety measure on the Rolex Fastnet Race: "The Panaenius Buoy stops boats rounding the Fastnet Rock and heading back on the reciprocal track directly towards boats approaching the Rock. With the speed of modern yachts reaching fast in both directions there could be a collision speed of 50 knots or more so the laying of the Panaenius Buoy avoids this." A Notice to Mariners is issued by Irish Lights for the duration of the Race.


Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, on conclusion of the 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race. Image copyright Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

Rolex Fastnet Race 2011