Yachts & Yachting — February 2018

standards. One of the most high profile,

the launch of the Fast40+ box-rule

class in 2016, has created a successful

formula with its well-structured

association. In two years the Fast40+

class, open to all yachts that conform

to the measurement parameters,

has produced a unique platform to

allow competitive inter-class racing.

Not surprisingly, the success of this

sort of formula racing has sparked

interest elsewhere, namely the creation

of the HP30 class for smaller division

yachts (reviewed in last month’s Y&Y).

In 2018, a Med-based series based on

the Fast40+ concept will begin in Palma,

Majorca in May – testament that the

concept has hit on a winning formula.

Rob Greenhalgh, Fast40+ class

president and founder, commented:

“We are very pleased with the continued

success of the Fast40+ class; 2017 saw

a much tighter fleet with new winners

emerging and we are expecting 2018

will continue to attract new overseas

competition as the fleet strengthens. We

plan to continue to work with owners

to best produce the racing they want.”

FOILING ADVANCES

There have been huge advances in foil

development over the last few years,

and a growing interest in foiling within

the o¡shore racing sector – an interest

that also has the potential to spread

to inshore racing as the America’s Cup

switches to 75ft foiling monohulls for

2021. What e¡ect this will have on
      racing in general, and yacht production
      in particular is yet to be discovered.
      But one thing is for certain, as the 2018
      season gets underway, all eyes will
      be focused on the recently launched
      Figaro Beneteau 3 – the first series-
      built (production) foiling monohull.
      With a late 2017 launch, it is still early
      to gauge her success in terms of

uptake, but this new, super modern-

looking VPLP-designed machine has

a quality pedigree, so there is every

chance it could form the blueprint for

the development of production foiling

yachts in the future (see test page 68).

British boatbuilder Iceni Yachts,

which produces the successful Iceni i39

range is among the first to report on

exciting plans for a new foiler. Although

few details are available as yet, Henry

Bateson from Iceni Yachts said: “We

are really looking forward to sharing

news of our new Foiling 39 model,

which is scheduled for release in 2018.”

The current Iceni i39 range, including

the O¡shore and Grand Prix versions

that race under IRC, had some top

results in 2017 including finishing sixth

monohull (under 40ft) in the Rolex

Fastnet Race, so it will be interesting to

see how the new foiling option performs.

PRO CIRCUITS

Elsewhere among the professional

circuit series classes, in particular the

Above

IRC racing

continues to

thrive with regatta

entries on the up

British builder Iceni Yachts is among the first

to report exciting plans for a new foiler

PAUL WYETH

62 Yachts & Yachting February 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

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