Half Ton Classics Cup at Yacht Club Boulonnais - Preview
by Brenda Delany 12 Aug 2013 20:37 UTC
18-23 August 2013
The sixth edition of the biennial Half Ton Classics Cup takes place in France this year, at the Yacht Club Boulonnais from the 18th until the 23rd August 2013.
In every previous edition of this regatta for production and unique Half Ton yachts, built between 1967 and 1994, the host country kept the premier trophy at home.
- 2003: 'General Tapioca' (Berret design) Phil Pilate won in Nieupoort BEL.
- 2005: 'Ginko' (Mauric Super Challenger design) Patrick Lobrichon won in Dinard FRA.
- 2007: 'Harmony' (Humphreys design) Nigel Biggs won in Dun Laoghaire IRL.
- 2009: 'General Tapioca' Phil Pilate won in Nieupoort BEL.
- 2011: 'Chimp' (Berret design) Michael Kershaw won at Cowes GBR.
Will a French boat win at Boulogne? The programme of races includes 13 races of which 12 are inshore and one is a coastal race. What era of boat can handle the varied conditions? About 30 boats are due from Belgium, England, Finland, France, Germany and Ireland.
It is amost certain that the winner will be a boat which has had its appendages modified to address the IRC rule- with mast head spinnakers, deep lead keel without a bulb, non overlapping jibs, and possibly a swept back rig without runners.
Despite strong challenges from 'King One' (IRL), 'Misjif' (GBR), 'Superhero' (FIN), 'General Tapioca' (BEL), 'Waverider' (BEL), 'A+' (BEL) and many others, I predict that the winner could be the all conquering British designed and Scottish built Humphreys MGHS30 'Checkmate XV' sailed by Nigel Biggs from the Royal St. George Yacht Club (IRL).