Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 HPX LEADERBOARD

Union Nationale pour la Course au Large: Successful lift-off for the (future) Class 30

by Maguelonne Turcat 19 May 2021 05:59 BST
Union Nationale pour la Course au Large © UNCL

In response to its Request for Proposals for the future Class 30, over twenty-five applications from various candidates from the sailing world arrived in a dedicated inbox at L'Union Nationale pour la Course au Large (UNCL), organiser of the competition with its British partner the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC).

The indisputable success of this project intended to inspire tomorrow's international training boat for offshore racing is an acknowledgement of its relevance as it brings together a number of the leading lights of naval architecture and prominent yards. Now, the support of America's Storm Trysail Club has given the initiative even further traction in the US by fleshing out the circle of organisers and with it the potential for the large adoption of the future one-design.

An enthusiastic reception

A key player with multiple offshore racing accolades, French legend Michel Desjoyeaux perfectly understands the appeal and the impact of such a project on a national level: "Being a part of a process to design an affordable and attractive craft in a bid to recreate a crewed racing dynamic among active youngsters seems like an obvious move to me. This method for training crews has disappeared of late as there's no longer a boat that fits the bill. Prior to the switch to the Diam 24, the Tour de France à la Voile was often the first taste of offshore racing for numerous crews. Today, it is these crews who are quitting regattas and who need to be won back with this new one-design, which has to perform well and be attractive. That's why we've decided to stand up and be counted with CT Mer Forte".

A fleshing out of the Jury

The main new feature of this venture relates to the Jury, which has evolved since the project was launched: in addition to the four members of the UNCL and the 3 members of the RORC, a new American member, the Storm Trysail Club based in Larchmont, NY, to the north of New York City, is stepping up to the plate. This very sociable Club is the reference offshore racing club in the United States and so it shares the same values and experience as the RORC and the UNCL.

A renowned mover and shaker, its sphere of influence extends far beyond Larchmont thanks to its 12 geographic stations encompassing the most famous stretches of water on the East coast, the great lakes, Florida and California, where it operates a fleet of 8 Figaro 2s. This addition further reinforces the international dimension of the project as the organisers were always keen to ensure that the French projects do not make up more than half of the proposals.

Eight teams selected

In line with the scheduled programme, early May, the International Jury studied application requests from 9 different nationalities and made a pre-selection according to a matrix of weighted criteria, including how well the project was understood, references regarding design and production of similar boats, its eco-design credentials and its ability to innovate.

In the end, six teams of architects/yards were selected on the basis of designing a new boat, including some world famous names in naval architecture and global boatbuilding, as well as two other teams with existing boats featuring similar specifications, who have to align with the brief, particularly to match boat price expectations. The applicants' various preliminary design proposals are expected by mid-June.

Related Articles

SailGP Docuseries Spotlights Spithill's Sacrifices
Showcasing growth of the most exciting racing on water SailGP announced it will launch its first-ever, long-form premium docuseries Uncharted next month in order to highlight how the global championship has flipped the narrative on traditional sailing through the lens of Jimmy Spithill. Posted today at 6:55 am
Enterprise Inlands at Ogston
Martin and Abigail Honnor victorious in fleet of 16 Sixteen boats took to the water at Ogston Sailing Club to compete for the title of Inland National Champion. Posted today at 6:13 am
Hansa Travellers at Frampton on Severn
Thrilling season opener sets the stage for UK class in 2025 The 2025 Hansa UK season kicked off with a burst of adrenaline at Frampton Sailability's first TT event on April 23rd, where sailors battled unpredictable gusts and shifting winds under a moody, cloud-strewn sky. Posted on 20 May
Medway YC Cruiser Spring Series race 5
Finishing the series with a cheerful prize-giving and BBQ The fifth and final race of the MYC Spring Series took place on a slightly chilly and overcast Sunday morning, with a light 6 - 8 knot north-easterly breeze and the very last of the ebb tide greeting racers gathering on the start line. Posted on 20 May
2025 Rolex Middle Sea Race preview
To date, yachts representing ten nations have confirmed their participation There has been an encouraging early wave of entries for the 46th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race, set to commence on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Posted on 20 May
Optimist Team Racing at Oxford
'Team Gust Busters' wins the Ramus Trophy 'Team Gust Busters' won the Ramus Trophy after claiming victory at the IOCA (UK) Team Racing Championships at Oxford Sailing Club on 17th-18th May 2025. Posted on 20 May
Scottish Series champions will be back to defend
Jura Scottish Series on Loch Fyne starts soon Last year's overall winners of the Jura Scottish Series, Allan Manuel's Etchells 22 Bounce Back, are returning to Tarbert, Loch Fyne over the coming days looking to defend the class title which they won with a convincing scoreline. Posted on 20 May
IMA Maxi Europeans Inshore Series Day 2
Bella Mente wins on corrected time in the coastal race The second day of inshore racing at the IMA Maxi European Championship delivered another spectacular show in the Gulf of Naples, with breathtaking scenery and challenging weather conditions. Posted on 20 May
RS Tera SW Traveller Series at Whitefriars
Only in its second year, the series is gaining in popularity For the second year in a row Whitefriars SC in the Cotswold Water Park hosted the first round of the RS Tera South West Traveller Series. Only in its second year, the series is gaining in popularity with the turnout of 24 boats. Posted on 20 May
52 Super Series fleet is out into the Atlantic
11-strong fleet is now mustering in Galicia Following the successful shipping of most of the TP52s from Nice in the Mediterranean out into the Atlantic and to Vigo on rugged northwest of Spain, the race fleet is now mustering in Galicia ahead of the GALICIA 52 SUPER SERIES Royal Cup. Posted on 20 May