Yachting World — February 2018

ustralian supermaxi CQS took
line honours in the RORC
Transatlantic Race in December
after an eventful run of 11d 0h from
Lanzarote. It was Finnish-Australian
owner/skipper Ludde Ingvall’s 16th
transatlantic and he claimed his victory
despite damage inflicted during a
knockdown on the way.
“We got caught in a bad squall of
probably 40 knots, which resulted in a
number of issues. There was damage to
sails and onboard electronic systems,”
reported Ingvall. They also blew their
biggest spinnaker, the top three mainsail
battens and there was a diesel spill on

board, but after a six-hour stop to make

repairs the crew got going again.

Ingvall’s crew include a number of

younger sailors such as 18-year-old

photographer James Tomlinson, who is

documenting the race on board. “We have

a young crew on board and it is especially

rewarding to give them this chance and

pass it on. Sailing is an amazing sport,

but big boat opportunities for young

sailors are few. They did really well,”

Ingvall said.

French skipper Eric de Turckheim was

the overall winner on handicap in the

23-strong fleet, racing his Nivelt-Muratet

54, Teasing Machine.

One of the whackier shots from

this year’s Mirabaud Yacht Racing

Image competition was this by

Jérôme Naquet, taken underneath

the TP52 Paprec in-between races

at the Copa del Rey in Palma.

The TP52 fleet is making a few

changes for 2018, with two

events held in Croatia for the first

time. There will also be several

America’s Cup teams joining the

circuit, including Luna Rossa, Beau

Geste from the New York YC and

Land Rover BAR on Gladiator.

CQS takes

transatlantic

line honours

The supermaxi CQS and its young crew took line honours in

the RORC Transatlantic Race despite a knockdown en route

A

The keel deal

RORC / Arthur Daniel

February 2018 17