Go the Doll!!!

Congratulations to Michael Hiatt and his team aboard the Living Doll, Farr Yacht Design’s design #642. Michael and his team have won Audi’s Hamilton Island Race Week IRC Grand Prix division 1, and they’ve done it with a comfortable margin to spare. Their run away win in Hamilton Island comes right on the heels of their previous IRC win at the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week. Both of the Doll’s victories were contested by Ray Roberts and his team on Evolution Racing, a Cookson 50, FYD’s design #541.

The Living Doll is one of Farr yacht Design’s latest IRC specific grand Prix designs and we are pleased to see it add to our extensive record of significant IRC results. Farr Yacht Design’s design #642, is a 55 foot IRC racing design with 2 boats constructed to the design. Our project goal with design 642 was to design a boat that could race in the same class as IRC optimized TP52’s while being faster with a relatively better handicap. The 55 foot length produces the desired performance leap and moderate increases in displacement, draft and sail area limit the increase in handicap. The hull was developed using the knowledge gained from our recent extensive CFD research on Volvo 70s and GP42s. A unique feature with a large impact on the hull design is the twin rudder steering arrangement. The twin rudders generate much less stern up force allowing the bow to be finer forward for less drag in waves and chop. Because the stern lifts less at high speeds the effective sailing length can be maximized over more of the speed range without incurring handling problems in extreme conditions. Ease of handling in reaching and running conditions was a prime driver in our design process as we worked to ensure that this boat can be just as dynamic as the smaller and marginally lighter TP52’s that it will compete against.

Congratulations again to Michael and his team aboard the Living Doll. We look forward to many more victories from the Doll, and also to the upcoming launch of the second 642 currently nearing completion in Turkey.

Contact Farr Yacht Design to see how we can help your team produce IRC victories. Our IRC optimization services have produced an unparalleled list of significant results. Our specific targeted IRC custom design work is a clear extension of that optimization work and will ensure that your next custom boat project achieves the success that you deserve.

Patrick Shaughnessy

Day 4 from the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

Wow! day 4 was a tough one. The forecast was for a light unstable breeze on day 4 but the committee took us out in search of suitable racing breeze. We started our pre-race practice in about 6-8 knots and put in some upwind work, a set, and some downwind work. The committee started a sequence in breeze that was now up to around 12 knots and was combined with a sloppy swell.

We started race 6 slow and probably a half boat length back off of the line. In that position we were in a tough sandwich between Airis to Leeward, and Endesa and Puerto Calero to windward. After trying to hold our lane in a drag to the left we finally had to tack out and take some sterns. The rest of the beat was like watching a bad movie as we continued to sail backwards out of contention for the race, and the regatta. We rounded the topmark last, and remained last down the run and around the leeward mark.

On the second beat we were set up left of the fleet and benefited from a 10 degree shift and some pressure right at the top of the beat which allowed us to leapfrog 3 boats and to round 2nd. Is this a miracle comeback in the making? It was certainly looking that way because Airis was running 3rd ahead of Endesa which would have given us the Portimao trophy. We did our part to finish second behind Puerto Calero, but Airis couldn’t stay in front of Endessa so we watch our miracle slip away.

In the end we finished the Portimao regatta equal on points with Endesa but lost on the countback, so 2nd place for the Roma in Portimao. We also ended up in a tie with Puerto Calero for the Medcup series, but again we lose the countback, and end up listed as 2nd. The tie in the Medcup standings certainly sets up the next regatta in Cartagena as the battle royal.

The sailing is very close amongst the top 3 boats and we will need to be on our toes to pull out the win. The mods we completed at FYD for Roma have certainly resulting in a more all around boat than in the previous season. If we can consistently start well we should be able to win the Medcup. Certainly our upwind speed is superior, and our maneuvers are good. Downwind we have to work hard to defend. Mentally we need to toughen up a bit as well in order to secure the win.

Next for me is a long travel day on Monday, followed by a short week in the office. Next weekend I’m off to a show in Amsterdam for the launch of the new Bavaria Cruiser 32 designed by FYD. Stand by for an update regarding the launch of our newest production boat design.

Patrick Shaughnessy

Day 3 at the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

No racing on day 3. In fact, we had no sailing at all on day 3. What we had instead was plenty of waiting inshore inside the air-conditioned tent. The race committee patiently waited for a stable wind suitable for racing, but after our long wait there just wasn’t anything to work with.

So it was in the tent where we spent the day. These days are pretty valuable because a whole top end slice of our industry is stationary in the same place with time to kill. So meetings, and chats fill up everyone’s day.

The forecast is light again for day 4 so there is a good chance that we will have no more racing. That would be a shame because I think we can build on our Medcup lead and potentially win the regatta here in Portimao as well. For sure what we don’t want however is a race in light unstable wind that turns into a lottery. So stand by, we’ll see what happens.

Patrick Shaughnessy

Day 2 at the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

Day 2 was a good big picture day for us on the Roma. I say that because although we are still 1 point out of first for the regatta, we’ve moved back into the Medcup lead by 1 point. So a positive day when viewed in terms of overall goals.

The fleet was held inshore for a while waiting for the breeze to build today. Once the AP was lowered we were one of the first boats off the dock and eager to get into some practice sailing. Before our warning we were able to accomplish a good amount of upwind work, a set, a nice downwind session, and also some time on distance work. Our practice was in a slowly building breeze of 10-12 knots.

Race 4 was started in 12-14 knots, and we had a good start which we were able to extend slightly into a 1st place position at the top mark. The wind built into the run and was now up to 15-17 which is right about where the effort level gets big. At the bottom of the run we were set up for a right hand “kiwi” drop and had a last minute change to an “easy” left. Only the easy part didn’t quite happen because Endessa snuck in for room at the left mark which added plenty of excitement between the two Latin tempered teams. The boats were quite close and protest flags flew. After the rounding we were able to force them off our hip and re-establish a lead which we held onto for the remainder of the race. Puerto Calero had a bad 5th place race, and so the point swing for the Medcup was starting.

The between race “grande casino” was again time short, as the 52’s were off on a coastal race. Our workload was reduced slightly because we re-used the same A2 on both runs. All cleaned up we were ready for race 5 with plenty of time to spare.

Race 5 started in 14-16 knots and built to near 18. We had an OK start and did fine on the beat to end up second at the topmark. We we’re a bit divided in our attention between battling with Endessa for the race lead, and covering Puerto Calero for the Medcup lead. In the end we gave up a position on the 1st run, and another on the 2nd beat. In our battle to cover Puerto Calero we also drew their anger when they perceived that we tacked too close on a leebow however the on the water jury decided no penalty was due. We kept our cover on Puerto Calero to finish ahead of them in 4th place. A disappointing waste of opportunity to build a lead in the big battle but a point gained never the less on our main rival for the Medcup.

No protests were heard onshore so the races counted as the finished which is always the best way for our sport to work. The on the water judge is a big help to resolve the majority of the protest opportunities before they reach land. I think this also helps to keep the shore more a friendly place where we all can relax a bit.

For me, many of the maneuvers were quite tight timing wise so I had plenty on. With my fingers taped together after the dislocation yesterday I was at a bit of a disadvantage in grip on my left hand, but the pain was low in the heat of the battle. All good fun.

Light forecast for days 3, and 4 so hopefully we will get to test some of FYD’s promising light air improvement work.

Patrick Shaughnessy

Day 1 from the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

We were the first boat out sailing on day 1. We spent plenty of time sailing up and down in a very light but slowly building breeze. These are the conditions that we worked hard to improve at FYD. The changes seem to be quite good and I don’t think we lack for pace in the light. The race start was postponed a bit as the breeze stabilized enough for racing. We finally got into our sequence about an hour later than planned in a 15 knot plus wind.

We had a good start to race 1 and established a 1 or 2 boat length lead that we carried around legs 1, 2, and 3. Unfortunately the team on Puerto Calero passed us on the final run with some nice surfing. Bummer to have the race end that way after leading for 80% of the race.

Between races is full on action as you need to be pack and wool multiple spinnakers, flake headsails, rig tune, and race debrief and plan. The breeze was up a bit going into race 2 and we were pretty pressed to be ready in time for the start.
Race 2’s start saw us pushing Airis up toward the line but we were just a tad too far behind them to force their position such that they would be OCS. We ended up directly on their transom across the line and were forced to tack away to right immediately. We reached the topmark in 3rd and stayed that way until the 2nd beat where we forced a penalty on Puerto Calero in order to pass them. The altercation was tacking too close and the on the water jury penalized them immediately. Their turns put us in second, where we stayed until the finish.

The between race action was even a bit more frenzied after race 2 because the TP52’s were done for the day. Because of that our time between races was even shorter. After the full clean up we only just hoisted the jib 3 minutes before the start. Our starting position was penalized for sure as we limped off the line much slower that the boats around us. We managed to keep our heads however and turn the race into a 2nd. The breeze was up in the 3rd race to around 24 knots so we saw some nice downwind action, routinely sailing 17-20 knots is always fun.

My day was hard but fun. We were already aware that our team would be weighed at the end of the day so food and water had been very scarce during the day. Big breeze without food and water is always hard. My job on the boat as a pitman includes grinding during the hoists and gybes so there is plenty of fast paced action with and occasional rest upwind. Afterwards I was definitely dehydrated and tired. I also managed to dislocate my index finger on my left hand which makes gripping quite painful. Anyway after some food, water, and ice we’re off to do it again.

Forecast for day 2 is for a competing breeze to lighten and die around 1-2. The building breeze should be a bit later today than yesterday so maybe we won’t quite get into the solid big breeze we saw yesterday. Stand by for an update from day 2.

Patrick Shaughnessy

Practice race day from the Medcup Portugal in Portimao

Today was a good solid practice day for us on the GP42 Roma 2. We were able to sail for a bit pre-race in a light but building breeze with some of our old sails. It’s always nice to start out slowly in light breeze. The actual practice race started in around 9 knots. For sure we were a bit disadvantaged in those light conditions using our old practice sails so it was nice to be mixing it up with the top boats. The wind built to around 15 knots mid race which suited us a bit better. We had a really nice little tacking duel with Islas Canarias Puerto Calero out near the right lay line which saw us gain slowly each time but without enough runway to make anything solid out of it. The bottom of the first run included some close action with Caser-Endesa around the left gate mark where we pushed for room and forced them off to the right. Probably on a race day this would have gone to the protest room. The rest of the race was pretty uneventful. We finished a boat length behind Puerto Calero, and one ahead of Caser-Endesa .

Overall we feel pretty good about the day. We feel like we’ll be strong when we get into our race sails tomorrow, and we have plenty of small things to work through which is always good. The boat work list was very short so all in all a good day on the water.

Tomorrow, race day 1 for us, should have a similar building wind speed during the day although it could pack a bit more punch. Stay tuned for Day 1 results. Fingers crossed.

Patrick Shaughnessy