Class 40s Go Transatlantic: Little Boats, Big Ocean, Intense Competition

The maxi yachts get all the attention in the marina. But on the racecourse for the Transatlantic Race 2015, from Newport, R.I., to England, the most interesting battle could well be amongst the smallest boats in the fleet.

The six Class 40 yachts entered in the race will compete as part of the IRC Division and as part of their own sub-class, where they’ll race boat for boat across the Atlantic.

"One hundred percent of my focus will be on winning the Class 40 Division," - says veteran Class 40 skipper Michael Hennessy (at right, foreground, during the 2014 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing) who will race his boat Dragon. "The box-rule boats are so closely matched, and the various skippers are formidable enough, that if you place well amongst the Class 40 boats then you are going to do well in the overall fleet."

The Transatlantic Race 2015 will pit amateur and professional sailors against one of the most demanding racetracks in the world, the North Atlantic Ocean. The fleet will leave from Newport, R.I., in one of three staggered starts from June 28 to July 5, with the finishes, off the Lizard, expected in the middle of July.

In a typical big-boat regatta, 40-foot boats are among the larger boats in the fleet. For the 2,800-mile race from Newport, R.I., to the southwestern tip of England, however, 40 feet is the minimum length. Further adding to the challenge for these sailors is the fact that Class 40 boats are designed to race with a minimum number of people on board. At least four of the six boats will be sailing double-handed, with just two sailors onboard. The others can sail with a maximum of six. A typical crew for a 40-foot boat competing in such a race would be 8 to 10 sailors.

The Class 40 rule was designed with ocean racing in mind and has become quite popular in Europe, where single- and double-handed sailing is a professional sport with a devout following. The class rules limit the overall length and width and sail area, mandate a minimum weight, and prohibit some pricier exotic materials. But within that framework, designers and sailors are free to roam and it’s not unusual for Class 40 designs to look quite different from one another.

Despite these differences, the racing is often extremely close, even over long distances. In the Transatlantic Race 2011, two Class 40 yachts competed, one double handed, one fully-crewed, and finished just 30 minutes apart.

"Class camaraderie combined with stiff competition is one of the great things about the Class 40," - says Ed Cesare, of Norwalk, Conn., who will be co-skippering Pleiad Racing (main photo, sailing in New York Harbor).

This summer, Cesare will be racing across the Atlantic for the fourth time. He’s also done 13 Bermuda Races. "Despite the intellectual and physical challenges of the sport-or maybe because of them-things get pretty simple 1,000 miles from land," he says. "[Even non sailors] appreciate the passion we have for ocean racing and the fact that we respect the ocean and prepare as well as possible. I tell them ocean racing is risky. I also like to say that the ocean is really forgiving, until it’s not."

The competition isn’t likely to be even that kind. For the Class 40 yachts, the race could take two weeks, or longer. Winning is all about endurance.

"The keys to success are physical and mental toughness," - says Mike Dreese, of Boston, Mass., the co-skipper of Toothface 2, "team cohesion, an ability to do the unpleasant at the right time, and being resourceful when the inevitable small disasters strike."

Michel Kleinjans (Antwerp, Belgium) is a veteran of five transatlantic races and was more circumspect in his response when asked about what it will take to get his entry, Visit Brussels, to the finish in first place. "Keep on pushing to the other side," he said. Sage advice for such a daunting undertaking.

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Photos credits: courtesy of Ed Cesare, Jen Edney/2014 Atlantic Cup and courtesy of Mike Dreese.

More about the Transatlantic Race 2015
The Transatlantic Race 2015 charts a 2,796-nautical-mile course from Newport, R.I., to Lizard Point, South Cornwall, England. The race is organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron, the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Storm Trysail Club. Pre-start activities will take place at the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, while awards will be presented at the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Cowes Castle clubhouse on the Isle of Wight. Three separate starts - June 28, July 1 and July 5 - will feature 40-plus boats ranging from the newest designs of 2015 to those of 1915.

More About the Sponsors

Rolex – Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivaled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its Oyster watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the Perpetual rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated and independent manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, exploration, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities, as well as philanthropic programs. www.Rolex.com

Newport Shipyard - Newport Shipyard has been the center of New England sailing action for years. Newport kicks off this season with the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in May while the 2015 Transatlantic Race yachts prepare at Newport Shipyard. For glamorous yachting action, downtown dockage, a 500MT Marine Travelift, a dedicated workforce and every convenience from Belle's Cafe to a gym, visit www.NewportShipyard.com. The TR 2015 is proud to designate Newport Shipyard as its official shipyard/marina and the host of the race's kick-off party on June 24.

Peters & May – Leading global marine logistics specialist Peters & May ships over 8,000 boats annually worldwide, by air, sea and road. Peters & May offers transportation solutions for any size of yacht and is the preferred logistics provider of many of the world’s premier events and yacht racing teams, transporting yachts, equipment, containers and masts to all international destinations. www.petersandmay.com

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