ROLEX FASTNET RACE ABOARD CROSSCALL

   - Sept. 2, 2021

For its second race, the Crosscall Class40 was at the start of the legendary Rolex Fastnet, an event that has brought together over 400 boats every two years for almost 100 years, in the currents of the English Channel and the Celtic Sea. Immerse yourself in the intimacy of the race thanks to the Crosscall Sailing Team camera, which followed our skipper duo, Aurelien Ducroz and David Sineau, on board.

RACE DEBRIEF

After a fine first day of breezes in over 30 knots and a first night of battling along the English south coast in the leading group, the Ducroz/Sineau duo opted for an option along the Isles of Scilly to reach Fastnet Rock. Unfortunately, this strategy did not prove to be to their advantage. 

Aurélien looks back on this key passage of the race: "We made a strategic choice that cost us dearly. The passage along the Isles of Scilly was clearly the decision that deprived us of a fight with the leaders, and even worse, dropped us back beyond 20th place. It was a hard pill to swallow, but the rest of the race was top-notch and once again demonstrated the qualities of our boat and our ability to bounce back."

In the end, it took the Crosscall Class40 3 days, 12 hours and 39 minutes to finish the race in 9th place, just two hours off the podium. The Ducroz/Sineau duo made a fine comeback, setting the fastest return time of the race (280 miles covered in less than 24 hours).

Aurélien Ducroz, Crosscall Class40 skipper

"We sign the return of the fastest Fastnet in the fleet with more than 280 miles covered in less than 24 hours and a return to the Top 10."

Aurélien Ducroz, skipper Class40 Crosscall

WHAT OPTIONS DID YOU SEE IN SCILLY? WHAT WAS YOUR STRATEGY AT THE TIME?

Aurélien: "For the Scilly, the routings were divergent. Some had us passing there and others on the other side. We went for this option because the wind angles were more favorable. Unfortunately, things went the wrong way and it was too late to change. In the end, it was a question of timing, as Banque du Léman, which took the same option a few miles ahead, finished 2nd. We were 1 hour behind and took the current in our teeth. So it's hard to say, but in the end I think we took a bit of a risk."

 

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS NEW RACE?

Aurélien: "We've learned a lot. Firstly, technically on the boat, in terms of getting to grips with it and discovering it, as we sailed in conditions we'd never encountered before, with a long reaching leg and upwind sailing in 30 knots. But also on our decision-making, where there's still work to be done. In the end, even if I'm not happy with the result and there's some frustration, there's a lot to be positive about. We still have some work to do technically on the boat, technically for us on the water, tactically too, but we're here and we'll be ready for the Jacques Vabre."

 

THE REST OF THE PROGRAM

The Crosscall Sailing Team will now be able to put the lessons learned from the first two races of the season to good use with a training phase in Lorient. The Crosscall Class40 plans to take part in the Spi Ouest France in early October as a dress rehearsal before the Transat Jacques Vabre on November 7.

Photo gallery

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THE CROSSCALL SAILING TEAM WEBSERIES

In a web series entitled "Winning through innovation and sustainability", the Crosscall Sailing Team and Aurélien Ducroz look back on every stage of the project that will lead them to the Route du Rhum 2022.

DISCOVER THE WEBSERIES

PROJECT PARTNERS

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