An international fleet of 17 yachts is set to take part in the 18th edition of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, hosted from 24-27 September by the Long Beach Yacht Club. The event is the pinnacle of the Farr 40 racing season.
Fiercely contested, this is an event that rewards teamwork, consistency and determination, values which are shared with Rolex. It's rare for one boat to dominate the Worlds, but last year Alex Roepers' Plenty (USA) was the exception, winning four of the seven races in San Francisco to finish 10 points clear of Martin Hill's Estate Master (AUS).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jan Harley, Media Pro International, +1 (401) 683-8224 on-site
Helmut Jahn Is Crowned the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Champion
Santa Barbara, Calif. (22 August 2015) – As if on cue, the scenic backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains was revealed for the final day of racing at the Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship. While the clouds cleared off to uncover the scenic vistas, the wind continued to tease the competitors and it wasn’t until within minutes of the time allotment elapsing that the 10th and final race of the series got underway in six knots of breeze ultimately reaching 12 knots by the conclusion of the race.
Chicago architect Helmut Jahn, the 2012 Rolex Farr 40 World Champion, had taken over the leaderboard on the second day of the series and never relinquished it. He started the final day of the championship with 31 points and a slim three-point lead over Italy’s Alberto Rossi on Enfant Terrible, while Germany’s Wolfgang Schaefer, on Struntje light, was a further two points back with 36 points.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jan Harley, Media Pro International, +1 (401) 683-8224 on-site
Jahn’s Flash Gordon 6 Takes the Lead at the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship on Quantum Race Day
Santa Barbara, Calif. (20 August 2015) -The second day of racing at the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship saw a duplication of the conditions that faced competitors on day one and which, according to the locals, are “normal… for June.” After postponing ashore, racing got underway in seven knots of breeze. As the afternoon progressed, the sun started to poke through the marine layer, and by the third and final race of the day, which started with a 10 knot west-southwest breeze, the mountains were shedding their curtain of clouds.
Chicago architect Helmut Jahn, the 2012 Rolex Farr 40 World Champion, driving Flash Gordon 6, won two of the day’s three races, giving him three wins thus far in six races.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jan Harley, Media Pro International, +1 (401) 683-8224 on-site
15 Shades of Grey at the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship
Santa Barbara, Calif. (21 August 2015) – Like the history behind the Rolex timepiece that will be presented to the winner of 17th edition of the Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship, event host Santa Barbara Yacht Club has a long and celebrated history. As the second oldest yacht club on the west coast, SBYC has been a central figure on the waterfront of this “American Riviera” while contributing to the growth of the sport in California.
For the penultimate day of the championship, action was delayed for the third consecutive day as the grey marine layer kept its hold on Santa Barbara for most of the day. The 15-strong fleet was restrained until a six knot breeze finally materialized, and three races were held as the velocity continued to build to 10 knots for races two and three of the day.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jan Harley, Media Pro International, +1 (401) 683-8224 on-site
Foggy Start to 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship On North Sails Race Day
Santa Barbara, Calif. (19 August 2015) -The day started out foggy, but not the 15 teams that today started racing for the 2015 Rolex Farr 40 North American Championship title. Their focus, in fact, could not have been sharper, and, with three different winners in as many races, the competitiveness for which the class has a well-deserved reputation was in full evidence. The competitiveness and high level of performance are in alignment with the core values of Rolex, title sponsor of the North American and World championships since 2001.
After a delay ashore, and an on-the-water postponement, racing was underway in hazy conditions with a six to seven knot breeze. Bragging rights as winner of the first race of the series were earned by Kevin McNeil on Nightshift. McNeil moved to the lead position of the race at the second mark, and held on to cross the finish ahead of Lloyd Clark’s Australian flagged Voodoo Chile, and New Yorker Alex Roepers, the defending Rolex Farr 40 North American Champion, on Plenty.
For McNeil, this was his first race sailing with 1997 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Chris Larson as his tactician. McNeil and Larson are both residents of Annapolis, Maryland, and have raced against each other many times. McNeil was pleased with the way the day went and gave due credit to Larson’s calm demeanor.