Quality fleet set for inaugural La Trinité-Cowes
by Joe Lacey / SNT 6 Jul 2018 09:45 BST
9 July 2018
F Henry © Auteurs De Vues
There is under a week to go before the first ever La Trinité-Cowes race kicks off on Monday 9th July. The race is organised jointly between the Société Nautique de la Trinité sur Mer (SNT) and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).
So far there are 34 entries, all of whom will spend a few nights in Cowes after their arrival before joining the RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo race starting on Friday 13th July.
The small fleet is packed full of quality. The 22-strong fully crewed class includes the overall winners of the last two Rolex Fastnet Races; JND39 LannAel 2 and the latest Courrier owned by Gery Trentesaux. If conditions favour smaller boats then the Transquadra winning JPK1010 OGIC and J/120 Hey Jude will be among the favourites. The first ever MMW33 is also taking part, and with Vendée Globe sailor Didac Costa onboard, they may also challenge.
The 12-strong two handed class also has a number of strong competitors, with JPK1080 Raging Bee 2 and Bouznik among the favourites. The recently optimized Ofcet 32 Of Course will be a threat in the breeze, and the J/112E Musix will be hard to beat if the weather gods serve up lighter winds.
The star of the fleet however is undoubtedly Pen Duick III, with a (slightly outdated) race record to rival almost anyone. The boat was launched in 1966 for Eric Tabarly who went on an incredible winning run in 1967, which included the Morgan Cup, Gotland Runt, Channel Race, Fastnet Race, and the Sydney Hobart! The boat continued to race internationally for a number of years, winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race in 1971 and taking part in the first ever Route du Rhum in 1978. The boat is now owned and sailed by the Association Eric Tabarly who maintain a number of Pen Duick yachts which they use to educate people about France's maritime culture and history.
For further information on the La Trinité-Cowes starting on Monday 9th July please go to the official website or Facebook page.
For information and entry to the RORC Cowes-Dinard-St Malo Race starting on Friday 13th July from Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK, please go to: rorc.org or contact the RORC Race Team on +44 (0)1983 295144, email