Class 40

This exciting class has grown at an amazing rate since its inception in 2004, over 80 boats have been built to a simple box rule formula that allows designers the flexibility to test their ideas. Nil carbon content in hull and deck ensures that costs are kept to minimum for a 40 foot racing yacht. Carbon masts, retractable bow sprits and gennekers are supported by modest water ballast systems (700kg). Exciting modern designs and multiple build yards have combined to catapult this class to the forefront of short-handed racing, solo races are rare probably because the boats are a very serious proposition when sailed singlehanded by amateur owners. Class website here

The Class 40 first appeared on the solo scene in 2005 when two new boats were entered in the Ostar, Plymouth to Newport.  Patrice Carpentier, the colossus of French yachting whose vision the Class 40 was, started in the very elegant Finot Pogo 40 VM Materieux but retired early with structural issues after an uncomfortable beat in very strong winds.

The stress of weather also stopped Pierre-Yves Chatelain in the prototype Jumbo 40 ‘Destination Calais’ designed by Pierre Roland. To put these retirements into perspective only one forty footer of the five starters completed this very stormy edition.

Entries and results on the RWYC Website
The Class 40 had grown significantly in 12 months when 25 boats started the R du Rhum in October 2006.  The winner, Phil Sharp, raced in a chartered Pogo 40 to finish in 18days 10 hrs.  Ian Munslow took  3rd on the maiden voyage (and only race so far) of Bolands Mill, a very pretty Owen Clarke design built in SA  by Jazz marine. Nick Bubb racing the first Francois Lucas (GBR19, Cariberia) hastily completed and named  Kenmore Homes pulled out with a broken boom when holding 4th. The three young British skippers were accomplished graduates from class mini and emphasised their skills with two outstanding podium results.

There were no solo races for the Class 40 in 2007 as the class concentrated on two handed and crewed events’.

The Artemis Transat in 2008 included Class 40 solo as a side show to the stars in Imoca 60’s, many of whom were trying to qualify for the Vendee Globe.

 Alex Bennett unveiled his very potent Fuji Film, another no holds barred OC design as the leading British entry.  

 Miranda Merron raced an OC from the same moulds with user friendly accommodation and Simon Clarke raced the Akilaria in his debut solo race.

 

 

 

 At the front of the fleet the race was dominated by super professional Italian Giovanni Soldini racing his 5th Transat in his Verdier proto, Telecom Italia, controlling the pursuers with ruthless ease to set a course target of 16days 22hrs, Plymouth to Marblehead ( Boston).  A new face to the class was mini expert (Transat 2001) Boris Herman (27) from Germany who sailed a beautiful race in the Akilaria ‘Beluga Racer ‘to finish 2nd in 17days 12hrs. Race website here

The 2010 Route du Rhum departs from St Malo on October 31st,  a fleet of 25  highly competitive and well proven class 40 ‘s will contest this most demanding 3500 miles of solo racing,  starting in autumn gales and finishing in the wind shadow of Guadeloupe some 18 days later. Race Website here

Racing a class 40 single-handed is reserved for very experienced skippers only, this is not the class to begin solo racing.  There are no solo day races or qualifying events on the calendar.

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