GOLDEN OLDIES TROPHY 2013

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HERITAGE GOLDEN OLDIES TROPHY 2013 1 1 Amerry band of enthusiasts for racing multihulls from the 70s/ 80s met up in Sète.

Hurricane Jeanne (September 2004), which involved the loss of a dozen precious racing boats in Saint- Domingue, crystallized the exasperation of lovers of this fragile heritage, reduced to a few

1 HERITAGE GOLDEN OLDIES TROPHY Amerry band of enthusiasts for racing multihulls from the 70s/ 80s met up in Sète. The aim: to celebrate, show off some superb restorations, and meet up with a few nice surprises... By Philippe ECHELLE They're back! THEY REFUSE PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE! Hurricane Jeanne (September 2004), which involved the loss of a dozen precious racing boats in Saint- Domingue, crystallized the exasperation of lovers of this fragile heritage, reduced to a few dozen experimental platforms. The founding initiative hatched under a fertile compost, cultivated by a few isolated enthusiasts. By saving certain famous examples (Royal, Télégramme de Brest, A Capella, Moxie, Aile Bleu, Hydrofolie ), the handful of curators have kept the flame burning. Their names are Marc Fazilleau, Charlie Capelle, Craig Alexander, Jim Rubin-stein, Jacques Lehn, Alain Small-Etienne, Stuart Rogerson, Stephen Marcoe, Philippe Laperche Their initiatives have protected the race from extinction! We owe the multihull to a few pioneers: the Frenchman, Eric de Bisschop, with the Kaimiloa expedition just before the second world war, then the Hawaiian group CSK, Arthur Piver in California in the 50s and 60s, and finally the leader of the American creative explosion: Dick Newick. James Wharram was the first to 70

3 cross the North Atlantic aboard a catamaran he had built himself: Rongo; Kelsall then developed the foam sandwich with well-known success (Three Legs of Mann I, II and III and many others).

2 3 cross the North Atlantic aboard a catamaran he had built himself: Rongo; Kelsall then developed the foam sandwich with well-known success (Three Legs of Mann I, II and III and many others). By having Eric Tabarly test Toria, he opened the way for the Allègre-designed Pen Duick IV. The taste for speed on the water was launched by a tiny tribe of diehards, for whom life began at 20 knots! Their followers were racers breaking away from the stiff measurement rules of the time, architects who felt cramped in the decrepit designs of the Southampton school and a few trend-discovering journalists. They were the pilgrims of a new research for the absolute. Coming from France and England, they landed on the American coasts to assimilate the visionary shapes and techniques of the wizard of Martha's Vineyard, the Gougeon brothers, Walter Greene and Damian MacLauglin. These Maine druids quest merged with the spirit of Blondie Hasler s transat; their inventive and iconoclastic process remained tinged with vestiges of Puritanism. Small is beautiful! Cheers and the Vals are transparent examples of this moderation, their courage and the relevance of their ideas. Back in the old continent, the ill-assorted group of young European novices (C. Capelle, J.F. de Prémorel, M Van Peteghem, N. Irens, M. Lombard, ) got to work and smashed the framework. What followed is well-known. The French frenzy (Phil Weld s expression), fed by sponsoring, opened the doors to folly, and invented very high speed on the water, with the Formula 40s, Orma 60s and the Class G maxis. The whole of this saga rests on just two hundred or so prototypes, fewer than half of which still exist. THE URGENCY OF A HERITAGE Just like these fast boats, the story of modern multihull ocean racing has been written in less than 50 years! From Nigel Tetley s Victress in the Golden Globe, to the proa Cheers (3rd in the 1968 Ostar) to Groupama III or Banque Populaire V, this universal saga has been constructed by just a few hundred builders and racers. How has a modest adventure been able to create such strong links with the public? The surviving machines bear witness to an exceptional technical, sporting and architectural heritage, and must be passed on to future generations. They will never be rebuilt, will not necessarily have 2 any lasting relationship in spite of appearances, and are all original, non-reproducible one-offs. They would therefore have no chance, faced with the steam roller of consumerism, without the intervention of attentive watchkeepers, and the recognition of their heritage value. Just like the treasures of Ettore Bugatti or the violins by Stradivarius and Guarnerius, inventions such as Cheers, A Capella, Rogue Wave, Godiva, or VSD must be entrusted to posterity; the message they convey is important. 7 REHEARSALS FOR A SINGLE CONCERT! Convinced of their extraordinary interest, the crazy lovers of these legendary multihulls meet, share, open their treasure chests, and have been having a good blow-out once a year in the spring in the Mediterranean since 2005: this is the famous Golden Oldies Trophy. The Atlantic hasn t been forgotten, as on Lalou Roucayrol s invitation, a Golden class has been integrated into the 3 editions of the Estuary Challenge at Port Medoc. The island of Houat welcomed the 2012 gathering, and the 2013 edition should see more than a dozen boats... The Trophies are precious opportunities for demonstrations, but are above all, meetings for the owners, during which, above and beyond the pleasure of the confrontation, the enthusiasts exchange 4 1 : Different sizes, periods and stories don't stop the game of racing together... 2 : The parade of the Golden Oldies fleet in the town of Sète. 3 : An old gaffer s meeting? Not really! We find some wonders on the water, which only want one thing: to race! 4 : I designed Godiva for racing, but it is perfect for cruising two-up! (D. Newick)

HERITAGE information, compare the qualities of their boats and get the energy for future restoration challenges, as the final goal often takes several work sequences.

Since the first Trophy in Canet-in- Roussillon, close links have been woven with the FFV clubs.

3 HERITAGE information, compare the qualities of their boats and get the energy for future restoration challenges, as the final goal often takes several work sequences. Emulation is contagious and affects certain observers, who one day find themselves at the helm of their own boat. Since the first Trophy in Canet-in- Roussillon, close links have been woven with the FFV clubs. In 2005, the organization (limited to the choice of a date and a few phone calls) was surprised by the success of the operation; the reactivity of the Catalan port s 2 clubs turned these improvised regattas into an incandescent festival, with a buoyant future. The tone was set! The editions at Port Saint-Louis, Mèze, Balaruc, Canet again, and Port- Camargue followed, before the invitation of the revived Sète YC, which wanted to celebrate its 150th anniversary in the town. THE TASTE FOR SPEED ON THE WATER WAS LAUNCHED BY A TINY TRIBE OF DIEHARDS, FOR WHOM LIFE BEGAN AT 20 KNOTS! PETITION TO SAIL UNDER SÈTE S HILL 5 The Thau lagoon and the port of Sète have for a long time been a melting pot for the blossoming of various nautical cultures. André Allègre based his boatyard at La Plagette; he was the first to put two of his creations (Pen Duick IV/Eric Tabarly and Cap 33/Jean- Marie Vidal) on the podium of the 1972 Ostar! The passion for multihulls continued to express itself around this little sea; amateur construction, architecture, production of catamarans Today the nursery is still active and several restoration specialists can now take on multihull refits. Sète, a cosmopolitan town of memories and tradition, should one day amalgamate with the Golden Oldies fleet. A symbol of this openness, carried with respect for the activities of fishing and trade: the 250m of the Quai de la Marine, in the heart of the harbour town were put at the disposal of the Golden Oldies Trophy and the 30 machines present. THE WIZARD OF MARTHA'S VINEYARD ON THE QUAI DE LA MARINE The story of this exceptional meeting began during the reconstruction of Fleury Michon IV in the Sète-based boatyard, Rive Sud. Thierry Péponnet (gold medallist in the 470 at the Seoul Olympics, he has settled in this port in the Languedoc) had been observing the activity of the tribe for a certain length of time, with the intuition that the exhibition of these machines could provide a spectacle in keeping with the perfect setting of Sète s quays. Having come to the annual general meetings at the Paris Boat Show as an observer in 2011 and

2012, with the president, Marie- Hélène Leclerc, then to the 2012 Port Camargue edition, the decision was taken, along with the fishermen who are at home here, to open up the town to the multihulls

Carried along by their momentum, the owners of Newick-designed boats (whose reconstructions and restorations are continuing at a good rhythm) decided to pay homage to their guru, by presenting danger

4 2012, with the president, Marie- Hélène Leclerc, then to the 2012 Port Camargue edition, the decision was taken, along with the fishermen who are at home here, to open up the town to the multihulls of the ocean racing heritage during the Whit weekend. Carried along by their momentum, the owners of Newick-designed boats (whose reconstructions and restorations are continuing at a good rhythm) decided to pay homage to their guru, by presenting danger of withdrawal or dilution. Sometimes it works, and everything grows, to become a sort of festival; osmosis sets in between a site, an event; the public, and the players in the festivities. This was the case in Sète! The show s scenario saw its intense moments and respiration; the heart of the activities pulsated on water, in the taverns and on the quays. The Friday parade was a success (high risk activity, given the constraints: passing under the 8 THEY WERE THERE around fifteen of his most brilliant creations. 3 DAYS OF BOISTEROUS NAUTICAL FESTIVITIES! It can be a bold undertaking to organize an associative event in an open public area; there is a 5 : An Echo 36 (D. Newick) flat out; it has just overtaken the 45 Prana! 6 : Golden crew in action aboard VSD... 7 : The Echo 36 Black Cap chasing Lady Godiva. 8 : Fine Mouche (ex Fleury Michon 4) in the breeze during the last leg; the architect is aboard! 9 : A line up of wonderful, mythical objects: that s the magic of the Golden Oldies Trophy! 9 bridges, timing of the openings, respect for the presentation rhythm, the boats reduced manoeuvrability). The attentive care by the former America's Cup sailors (Bertrand Pacé, Albert Jacobson) in the tenders helped the perfect unfolding of the operation, in the sun and Moxie : 50 ' D. Newick trimaran, winner 1980 Ostar Fine Mouche: 45 Newick trimaran, ex-fleury Michon IV Région Picardie : 60 Morelli/A. Petit Etienne cat, Tour de l Europe, mile record Pléioné : F40 trimaran, formerly Michel Desjoyeaux s Biscuit Cantreau Aile Bleue : 42 Newick trimaran, ex-gigi, 1982 Rout du Rhum Gulfstreamer : 60 Newick trimaran, capsized in the middle of the Atlantic in 1972 Lady Godiva : 31 D. Newick proa, ex-godiva Chocolatier, 1980 Ostar VSD : 55 D. Kelsall trimaran, winner of the 1982 two-up Transat Tahiti Douche : 55 D. Charles proa Alcyon : 31 Twiggy trimaran, sister ship of Rennie Pat's : 50 schooner trimaran, with rotating masts, formerly D. Newick s personal boat Black Cap : 36 Newick Echo trimaran Magnolia : 52 D. Newick Traveller Catalina : 18 Allegre cat, the oldest French multihull still sailing Chien jaune : 28 P. Riviere trimaran 3 Tremolinos : 21' D. Newick 4 Catalan patins : 18 cat with no rudder; the oldest racing multihull class in the world SILVER OLDIES 2 Polynesian pirogues: 18' C. Campi Pilgrim : 38 J. Wharram cat Largyalo : 65 J. Wharram Pahi Prana : 45 Riviere trimaran Trimaran Corsair 25' Ian Farrier Dragonfly 35' Jens Quorning /Voiles au Large association Jo's toy : Prao 35' D. Kergomard 73

5 HERITAGE 10 with a light breeze for the opening of the huge Bassin du Midi to leisure sailors. The next day s heavy seas were providential, allowing the public to admire the boats; from now on, a decreed bad weather day will systematically open the Trophy events! Dick Newick, the hero of the edition, had never experienced such an international homage; he took the time to visit, one by one, each of his daughters, certain of which he had not seen for 30 or 40 years. Pats (formerly his personal trimaran), superbly restored, was there, with a Welcome Dick Newick banner stretched between the two rotating masts. Jean-Claude Feuillarade (marine surveyor and recent owner) did him the honours, with much emotion. Further on: the sublime Aile Bleu, the legendary Moxie (winner of the 1980 Transat), the incredible proa Godiva, or the wonderful Fleury Michon IV (Fine Mouche) saved from certain destruction, by Alain Borsotti The fleet s visit ended aboard the huge and very tribal Largyalo, which had come especially from Barcelona to celebrate James Wharram s 85th birthday. The meeting between Dick Newick, James Wharram (who had not seen each other since 1959) and Marc Van Peteghem was a choice moment, which I will leave you to imagine! What happens when the undisputed wizard of the 80s meets the guru who popularized the multihull with 10,000 boats, and one of the two architects from the fastest design office in the world? They think up other challenges together...humanitarian this time! The port s bars and restaurants made their facilities available, to welcome groups of talkative, excited enthusiasts; the evening talks in the Brasserie St Clair were particularly appreciated. The discussion forum with Dick was the opportunity for an intimate, privileged exchange; the talk/projection by Hanneke Boon and James Wharram on the Lapita expedition revealed a little-known nautical adventure between the Philippines and the lost archipelago of the Kiribatis. Patrick Ast s film looking back at the life of André 10 : The incredible Pat s (formerly Dick Newick s personal boat) on its first outing after a one-year restoration. 11 : Jean Claude Feuillarade explaining to Dick Newick the work carried out on Pat s, on his former boat... 74

They said: Visit our web site www.multihulls-world.com to discover all the contributions sent by these privileged participants. Allègre, in the presence of Jean-Marie Vidal was also an intense moment.

6 They said: Visit our web site to discover all the contributions sent by these privileged participants. Allègre, in the presence of Jean-Marie Vidal was also an intense moment. HARD-FOUGHT RACES The Golden aficionados like to sail; aided by their passion, they sometimes forget that what they have in their hands is a unique object. This gives rise to some superb start sequences, exciting duels and side by side finishes. There were top-level racers, muddlers, quite a few experienced sailors, former racers and a few adventurers. The flavour of this mixture is unforgettable! At the time, the competition on the water was vital, then everyone recounted the leg in their own way; later the result would be drowned in mutual admiration in the fishermen s hospitality tent. Despite the noise of the festivities, we couldn't forget the efforts and the suffering (even those freely consented to). Everyone knew that Alexey Solyanik the Ukrainian owner of Gulfstreamer was still at sea and would arrive on the last day. Nobody forgot VSD s two Atlantic crossings in 2012, turned into a workshop-boat for the rescue of the last big racing proa in the world: Tahiti Douche (Golden Oldies Trophy 2013). We thought of Charles Michel, also at sea, delivering his Native (Newick trimaran) from the NW coast of Mexico. Sometimes this pagan celebration, which carried on in the cockpits, was so dense, strong and communicative that you wanted to see it last until the end of the night, but there are so many other adventures to be experienced! Biotherm is lying abandoned in the Pacific, the moulds for Val are at Walter Greene s place, the emblematic Rogue Wave wasn t there, nor was Cheers... Dick Newick Beautiful France! It was wonderful to be invited by the Golden Oldies. It was fantastic to be welcomed by the owners of eleven of my creations. I was sorry I only had time to sail aboard three of them, but it was in perfect conditions. I hadn t seen certain of these boats for over 30 years. James Wharram I was born English, but from a political and cultural point of view, I am European! During the Golden Oldies meeting at Sète, I felt at home in the middle of this European social culture. As a Golden Oldie (I hate that word!) myself, I would also like to thank the organisers of this event. If you are interested in the appearance of Pacific multihulls in 20th century leisure sailing, the Sète meeting was the place to be. Paul and Anne Buttin (owners of the proa Godiva) After a first courtesy visit, during which four of us (!) slid into the little 9-metre proa, Dick said: I designed this boat for Rory (Nugent), to race the singlehanded Ostar, but finally for two-up cruising it s very comfortable! Tomorrow, please, I would like to sail with you! Christian Février (Photographer-racer-journalist The multihulls leading light ) When I look at my photos of PAT S, I am surprised to discover that this boat is superb on all points of sailing! What a talent Dick has! Bernard Mallaret (Director of Delta Voiles) What can I say, apart from congratulating you on one day having had this great idea, and developed it to this point. My feelings: that the Oldies crews are more into racing than the idea we have of them, and that they got well into the game of start lines and compulsory courses. My surprise: having sailed on a superb modern boat and having cast an affectionate glance at some old boats. In general, it s the opposite. My favourite: PATS, which blew me away with its performance and its appearance on the water. My hope: That the organisers continue!!! Olivier Mesnier (ex director of CIM, back from a round-the-world voyage aboard the 53 catamaran JANGADA) I had read a few lines on the subject of the Golden Oldies Trophy and met a few of the recognized experts, the initiated shamans; rigorous archivists had mentioned that we could see some legendary multihulls and amazing personalities! It was enough to justify a trip. I had another reason for the trip; after sailing round the world in a catamaran, it seemed obvious to me that my next voyage would be aboard a trimaran! I simply had to improve my culture! On arriving on the pontoons, I came across Hervé Cléris (22 racing transats, founder of the M50 class), who had just come back from Polynesia. Having retired from ocean racing, he talked about his races. From that moment on, we shared the settees of the completely restored Newick design, Fine Mouche (ex-fmiv). Then Jérome (Brochier), the owner of Aile Bleu, another Newick trimaran, accosted us with a broad smile and invited us for coffee in the cockpit. At the evening aperitif in the bar, I met the incredible Stuart (Rogerson) who is refitting the valorous Kelsall-designed VSD (at an age when most people have sold their comfortable cruiser a long time ago). His son Zach, on the proa Tahiti Douche, has inherited the same serenity...essential when sailing aboard this machine! There was no lack of colourful, very human personalities... Hang on lads, I m interested in your life! As a newcomer to the sect, a simple observer, I found myself a few hours later in PATS saloon listening to Dick Newick talking about his memories, before going to drink a beer with James Wharram aboard the Pahi 65 Largyalo! Incredible... The Golden Oldies Trophy? Long may the passion and the spirit survive! The incredible encounter! Dick Newick, Hanneke Boon, James Wharram and Marc Van Peteghem: the multihull connection!

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