News

The Rogers 46 Varuna, owned by Jens Kellinghusen has recently been re-launched with a head turning all over metallic charcoal grey paint job. Varuna is based in Hamburg, Germany along with her highly successful sister ship, Guts’n Glory. Recently they have been joined by another Rogers 46 ‚Äì Shakti, formerly Yeoman XXXII. The benefits of this 3 boat fleet have already been realised with some exceptional close racing in the current Baltic IRC Cup series. Currently, Varuna is lying 1st overall and Shakti 3rd and Guts’n Glory 8th.

To follow this exciting ciruit, go to: www.baltic-irc.org

Last weekend in glorious sunshine, a milestone was reached for the Even Keel Project with the official launch of its partnership with UKSA in Cowes. The launch was attended by a large number including: Jon Ely (CEO of UKSA), Sarah Treseder (CEO of the RYA), Nick Wells (Artemis Investment Management) and Dave Rutter (MD of Vizual Marine and the Even Keel Project).

This first six boat fleet of Artemis 20s will act as a blue print site for an ambitious global plan to launch at least 10 further sites around the world at centres of sailing excellence, such as UKSA. With a common denominator of excellent training facilities and highly-qualified instructors, the hope is that sailing will be made more accessible to hundreds of people around the globe regardless of their physical disability, their ability, background or previous sailing experience. The Artemis 20s are unique in that they can be very easily and quickly modified for almost any type of disability and have proved to offer the perfect introduction to sailing.

Over the last 3 years, this little 20 footer has been tried and tested by such well known sailors as Hilary Lister – the record breaking quadriplegic as well as disabled Olympians and able bodied Olympians and Volvo sailors. There is little doubt that she does offer an even keel for all, with bucket loads of cache. To find out more, visit:www.theevenkeel.com/

This weekend in Hamburg, the Senate Dinner for the German Offshore Award and International Yacht Forum 2010 will be taking place. Simon will be the opening guest speaker at the forum, which will discuss in an open format, ‚ÄòThe Future in Offshore Yacht Racing’.

It is being organised by the German Offshore Owners Association together with Hanseboot Boatshows, North Sails, Pantaenius Yacht Insurance and SGS. It is anticipated that over 230 delegates will attend.

If you want to learn more about the thinking behind the new MKII Rogers Class 40 Рstraight from the horse’s mouth, then pop out and buy the current March issue of Seahorse International and turn to pages 36 -39! The editorial also gives a brief account of how Rogers Yacht Design was born and a snapshot of some of the projects that helped to make us what we are today.

For more information about this project, please go to the ‘Current Projects’ section of this web site.

Following a 5,000 mile Atlantic marathon, a series of gruelling storms and many other highs and lows, the inaugural Class 40 event- La Solidaire du Chocolat has proved to be the ultimate testing ground for the Class 40s. We are delighted and proud to say that the two Rogers designs have come out on top: Tanguy de Lamotte/Adrien Hardy (Initiatives-Novedia) 1st overall and Bruno Jourdren/Bernard Stamm (Chemin?©es Poujoulat) claiming 3rd overall, having match raced with Giovanni Soldini/Pietro D‚ÄôAli for some 1,500 miles- narrowly missing 2nd by 18 minutes!! As Bruno highlighted shortly after finishing this morning: ‚ÄúIt is mad, mad, mad‚Ķ‚Ķuntil the end.‚Äù

On arrival Tanguy had a few words to say: “After 5,000 miles of probably the most challenging offshore racing I have ever experienced, I can say that my boat (Rogers Class 40) has proven exceptional. Adrien and I actually worked out the number of impacts she was subjected to in the waves and series of six low pressure systems we endured, and it came to something around 40 000 impacts; that says a lot! She has looked after us fantastically and given both Adrien and me the most incredible and memorable ride to Mexico……..just awesome!”

These outstanding results coupled with a generally phenomenal 2009 season for the Rogers Class 40s, now set the perfect platform for the launch of the new Rogers Class 40 MkII. We thank our owners for the set up!

Click on the Current Projects button on the left to find out more!

After 4400 miles of nail biting racing, the two Rogers Class 40s approach the last hurdle, still showing a clean set of heals! As of this evenings 20.00 hrs polling, Tanguy De Lamotte/Adrien Hardy still maintain a healthy lead of 143 miles over Soldini/D’Ali and Bruno Jourdren/ Bernard Stamm. The later two yachts have literally been trading places for the last 3000 miles, with only a mile between them; they seem to be stuck to each other like elastic bands.

A recent hurricane has upset the Yucatan weather patterns and has sucked most of the wind north, leaving a large zone of light airs to the south of Cuba. Tactically the next 36 hours will be very challenging and Tanguy and Adrien need to keep their nerve. A 143 mile lead should be safe lead but there is still 600miles of new waters to be navigated. At present the two Rogers Class 40’s look good for both placing in the top three and we wish them every bit of luck for this last transition in to the new breeze off the Yucatan Peninsula and round the point to the finish line Рcold beers and good food!!

To follow the race log on to: www.lasolidaireduchocolat.com/en

On Sunday 8th November from Le Harve, the 9th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre got underway. This time the race offers it’s double handed crews a completely new route following an original coffee trade route and culminates in Caribbean sunshine and the warmth of Costa Rica.

As we ventured out to the start line with the Artemis team on board Rum Jungle, most were preoccupied with the vertical smoke that was rising from the two infamous chimney stacks, located at Le Harve docks, with no visible sign of solid breeze. With minutes to spare, a nice 12 knot breeze built from the SE and enabling the fleet to clear the line with a mixture of A2 and A3’s kites at 12 knots of boat speed.

Two days in and Sam and Sidney have found their rhythm and well into considering what lies ahead. A major pressure system will be at the front of their minds right now which is likely to produce 45 knots right on the nose. Lets hope they get through this first major test trouble free!

Go Sam and Sidney!

To follow the race, log on to: jacques-vabre.com/en/s01_home/s01p01_home.php

Since the start of this 5,000 mile double handed Trans Atlantic sprint two weeks ago, if anyone had been in any doubt about the performance capabilities of the Rogers Class 40…….they won’t be now. With 24 starters, to date 8 abandonments and three mid Atlantic storms the two Rogers boats sailed by Tanguy de Lamotte/ Adrien Hardy and Bruno Jourdren/ Bernard Stamm have not ventured out of the top five places.

At 1600hrs today once again the Rogers Class 40s have taken charge and have regained there 1st and 2nd places dominating the fleet. The MkII is coming and promises more!

To follow the latter part of this exciting race, log onto the event tracker: http://lasolidaireduchocolat.geovoile.com/

Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet, co-skippers on board Artemis Ocean Racing II arrived in Le Havre a few days ago, in preparation for the start of their 4,720-mile transatlantic race from Le Havre to Puerto Limon in Costa Rica – The Transat Jacques Vabre.

They had a great delivery trip to Le Harve with plenty of rest, great conditions and cruising in excess of 20knots.They are fully race ready and eager to start this Sunday.

All at RYD wish Sam and Sidney the very best of luck in the TJV. We will be glued to the tracker!

Bruno Jourdren and Bernard Stamm won the Brittany Ferries 1000 miles race in emphatic style, more than 10 ¬? hours ahead of the second placed boat, a new Akilaria 2. They finished in the early hours of Saturday 12th September, continuing the offshore dominance of the Rogers Class 40 in 2009. This victory, which included winning all three legs of the gruelling race, follows on from Tanguy de Lamotte‚Äôs Fastnet win in his Rogers Class 40.

Bernard has now raced with Bruno on a number of occasions on board his Rogers Class 40 and he had a few words to say: “We’re very happy with the result. It‚Äôs a super powerful boat, very stable, easy to sail, strong in all conditions. We have sailed against all the other designs and we are very confident with this boat”.

Their next appearance will be in the double handed race- Solitaire du Chocolat which starts in Nantes/ Saint-Nazaire and finishes in Yucatan, Mexico. Bruno will once again be partnered with Bernard Stamm and Tanguy de Lamotte will be racing in his Rogers Class 40 with Adrien Hardy. Good luck boys!

Photo: Benoit Stichelbaut/Cheminees Poujlouat