French Class 40s Eyeing Round Ireland To Complete Reduced European Trophy

10th July 2020

Class 40s racing in the 2018 Dhream Cup Credit: Thierry Martinez

Hopes are high within the Class 40 fleet that a reduced European Trophy will be confirmed — if there is enough participation for at least two out of the three races on the calendar.

Alongside the classic Normandy Channel Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race is the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race now slated for 22 August, which last week received its first French Class 40 entry in the shape of Antoine Magre’s Palanad 3.

That move has boosted hopes here that fellow French sailors will look to the Round Ireland as they return to racing at Cherbourg for next week’s Drheam Cup and seek to salvage a season shortened by coronavirus controls.

Published in Class40, Round Ireland

Published in Class40

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Class 40

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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About the Class 40

The Class40 is a kind of monohull sailboat primarily used for short-handed offshore and coastal racing. It is dedicated to offshore racing and has been around since 2004, serving as an intermediate oceanic boat between the Mini 650 (6.50m) and the 60-foot IMOCA (18.24m). The boat is strictly regulated, with a maximum length of 12.19 m. These boats are designed to sail in all weather conditions, and their performance has recently improved significantly. It is not uncommon to reach speeds of up to 26 knots (according to GPS), and planing up to 15 knots is normal.