No go at GC32 Racing Tour Marseille

Marseille, France (October 13, 2017) – After a perfect opening day with fully flying sailing and the full schedule completed, conditions failed to repeat themselves today – day two of GC32 Racing Tour competition at Marseille One Design. Under an overcast sky, the wind remained elusive and the one design foiling catamarans remained tied to the dock at the Marina Olympique du Roucas Blanc, recently announced as the sailing venue for Paris 2024.

“There was a lot of high level cloud which killed off any opportunity for circulation and any thermal breeze,” explained Principal Race Officer, Stuart Childerley. “There were moments when it looked promising and we saw some signs of southerly breeze offshore, but there was a big area of no wind and we had the local westerly-northwesterly on the Bay. Let’s hope for better things tomorrow.”

The skippers sympathised. Team ENGIE’s Sébastien Rogues said: “The weather hasn’t been good today. The Mediterranean Sea is a difficult place, but under these skies it is often not possible to sail. We will see what happens tomorrow.”

The overall leader of the GC32 Racing Tour competition at Marseille One Design remains Erik Maris’ Zoulou. Helmsman of the French GC32, Arnaud Psarofaghis, on loan from Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi team, was seen eyeing up the fleet of Moth singlehanded dinghies, a class in which he is a two time past European champion. “It was frustrating today with the cloud killing off the wind,” he said. “We were hoping to go out today, but I think it will be better tomorrow so we can get in some nice racing.”

Day three of racing is scheduled to begin at 1300 tomorrow with the final day on Sunday (Oct. 15) when the winner of both Marseille One Design and the 2017 GC32 Racing Tour overall and owner-driver prizes will be awarded, along with the winner of the ANONIMO Speed Challenge.

Racing is planned for from October 12 to 15.

Tour Website – Scoreboard – Facebook

2017 GC32 Racing Tour
May 11-14 – GC32 Riva Cup / Riva del Garda, Italy
June 28-July 1 – GC32 Villasimius Cup / Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
August 2-5 – 36 Copa del Rey / Palma de Mallorca, Spain
September 13-16 – GC32 Orezza Corsica Cup / Calvi, Corsica
October 12-15 – Marseille One Design / Marseille, France

About the GC32 Racing Tour:
2017 will be the fifth year of the GC32 Racing Tour and its fourth since the GC32 was transformed into a foiler over the winter of 2013-14. The GC32 Racing Tour seeks to attract both private owner-driven boats and commercially-backed teams with a circuit aimed at providing the best foiling catamaran experience for participants. This remit includes choosing venues known to provide optimum wind conditions for foiling and race courses large enough to enable the boats to hit maximum speeds.

About the GC32
The GC32 is a 10m long (12m including bowsprit) by 6m wide foiling catamaran conceived by Laurent Lenne and designed by Dr Martin Fischer, now part of the Groupama Team France design team. It is built in carbon fibre by Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai.

The GC32 is fitted with T-foil rudders and J-shaped daggerboards/foils, conceptually similar to those used on the America’s Cup catamarans, with adjustable rake on all appendages. However relative to the boat’s size, the foils are substantially larger, allowing the GC32 to foil even in low wind speeds and with much great stability and ease. Despite having big foils, GC32s are fast! Alinghi holds the record with a peak speed of 39.21 knots.

Unlike the AC catamarans, the GC32 features a more manageable soft-sail rig and has one design sails. It is demountable with a two piece mast for easy transportation.

Source: Sailing Intelligence