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Tuiga’s logbook
From Barcelona to St-Tropez, Tuiga’s summer racing season is just over early October, with her last race in the bay of St-Tropez. An exceptional season with key meetings such as the one with her sister ship Hispania and a one off historical gathering during the last edition of the Monaco Classic Week together with the three last racing 15 M IR. To follow up with her log book...
To read more from her logbook and 2011 programme…
Programme 2011:
20-22 May: Trophée Pasqui
23-29 May: Les Régates Impériales (Ajaccio)
10-13 June: Les Classiques de Porquerolles
16-19 June: Voiles du Vieux Port (Marseille)
13-16 July: Vela Classic de Barcelona
14-18 September: Monaco Classic Week - La Belle Classe
19-24 september: Cannes Régates Royales
http://www.regatesroyales.com/
25 Sept-2 October: Saint-Tropez
http://www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr/
To follow Tuiga’s adventures, read her logbook.
19-24 september: Cannes Régates Royales
http://www.regatesroyales.com/
25 Sept-2 October: Saint-Tropez
http://www.societe-nautique-saint-tropez.fr/
To follow Tuiga’s adventures, read her logbook.
Tuiga’s log book
| 22 September 2010 | Royal Regattas Day 1 | > See details |
| 18 September 2010 | The Trophy of Nice, 3rd day | > See details |
| 17 September 2010 | The Trophy of Nice - Day 2 | > See details |
| 16 September 2010 | The Trophy of Nice, 1st day | > See details |
| 15 September 2010 | The Trophy of Nice, J - 1 | > See details |
| 12 September 2010 | Vele d'Epoca Imperia Day 4 | > See details |
| 11 September 2010 | Vela d’Epoca Imperia Day 3 | > See details |
| 10 September 2010 | Vele d’epoca, Imperia Day 2 | > See details |
| 09 September 2010 | Vela d’Epoca Imperia Day 1 | > See details |
| 08 September 2010 | Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, Day-1 | > See details |
22 September 2010
Royal Regattas Day 1
It's the big status quo following the first day of the Royal Regattas. The wind did not bother to show up on the Bay of the international cinema. Thierry L. tried all the solutions to move his pointers and try to start a race: to no avail.
The entire fleet was recalled to port at 15h but together with his main rivals, Tuiga does some "speed tests" around the western islands of Lerins. Mariska, Mariquita, Moonbeam IV and Tuiga cross and cross again. All observes the qualities of speed, heading, recovery of the others. The spectacle is magnificent.
Mariska seems the fastest and the quickest to get speed after tacks. The sister ship 15m JI of Tuiga has made significant progress in the recent weeks and begins to be excellent. In light winds, the weight difference is fundamental. Tuiga weights nearly 8 tons more on the scale. We will have to work hard to overcome this handicap during the race. On rating it is Moonbeam IV who seems closest to Tuiga despite the fact that the silhouettes of two Fifes are so different. Mysteries of the gauge ICD. Anyhow the results of these Royal Regattas promises to be very tight.
Anyway, the new crew on Tuiga is ready and determined to take as much pleasure as possible while ensuring at the same time the best possible result.
Tuiga returns last to port before a large appreciative audience and this return is made with Celtic music. Erwan, a reserve officer in the Royale and a musician gives the rhythm with his bag pipe on the foredeck. Three cannon shots were fired.
The party on shore and the competition at sea are on. The 2010 edition of the Cannes Royal Regattas is a great vintage.
E.D
18 September 2010
The Trophy of Nice, 3rd day
In this third and final day of the Trophy of Nice, the crew is pleased to welcome on board Bernard d'Alessandri. The presence of Bernard makes us all happy. The most ancient crew members on board have established a close relationship with Bernard having sailed together on several campaigns for years. For instance Cowes in 2001, and many other events, and as well the celebration of the 100 years of Tuiga in Monaco in 2009.
Cohesion is now natural on board, the crew has got the hang on the manoeuvres. The course looks like a banana, 2 marks, 2 runs where speed will be required. First to get to the windward mark on nearly on a single tack, a return under tight reaching conditions where it is not possible to send up our big spinnaker of 280 square meters.
Before departure, we received on board the visit of Mr. Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, brought on a zodiac to give us encouragement. As soon as the personalities departed the boat; we roll into starting procedure.
No particular tactic. We need to hang to Cambria who because of its great length is favoured by those conditions of a medium wind SSW of 12-14 knots. On our first trip to the windward mark, the contact is constant. We will even make two tacks rapidly executed to avoid dangerous friction at the turn. It's spectacular and it is graceful from the outside, but here Tuiga must react very quickly to avoid being run into or even to avoid colliding with another vessel.
On the run down to the leeward mark, we cannot control Cambria whose rhythm is worthy of the fastest monohulls of the modern era. We set Tuiga so to limit the increase of the gap and reach speeds in excess of 9.5 knots. The sensations are very real.
On the final leg, 1 mile only to cross the finish line. Decision is made to send up the big spinnaker. Not only to try to win this race on compensated time but also for to the show in order to please the fans standing on the harbour breakwater. 1 mile is a very short distance to establish the pace. The distance is quickly swallowed. As soon as the line is crossed, we bring down all sails.
Tuiga wins the second Trophy of Nice by winning the 3 races.
The entire crew celebrates with champagne this second straight win after Imperia.
The whole crew receives the trophy from the hands of Mr. Benoit Kandel, first deputy Mayor of Nice.
E.D.
17 September 2010
The Trophy of Nice - Day 2
On the second day of racing, the result can be decisive. If Tuiga wins today, she claims the final victory of this Trophy in Nice.
To achieve this result, we must be prepared to give everything. The weather is not optimistic about the strength of the wind. Wind gusts of force 6 are forecasted. Everyone on board knows that in these conditions it is very difficult to manoeuvre in full security and that each move on board can be exhausting.
We prepared the reef in the harbour and wait to be on the water to make the final decision on taking it or not. The start is quickly given Tuiga is under full sail. The “grand fleche” is up and we are prepared to lower quickly if it is appropriate. The Zephyr is lazy close to the airport runways and Tuiga has difficulty moving out of this zone of peace that keeps us glued to the water while all our competitors escape at low speed. We are 7 minutes late at the first mark.
The SW wind finally settles in a heavy and threatening sky. Tuiga improves her speed to nearly 10 knots and off Cape Ferrat we wonder to find the best time to reduce the sail. We should be lowering the “grand fleche” on the port tack and we calculate that after the mark off Beaulieu sur mer, we will have favourable but limited time to adapt the sails in order to finish well the race.
Cambria is far ahead and we fight against Halloween also to calibrate our speed. Return is in a sea already formed and we sail not too close to the wind in order to “pierce” the waves. Our delay is substantial. We must bring up more sail to try to limit our losses. The “petit fleche” is sent up, the “clin foc” sail as well. After a final jibe, Tuiga cut the finish line 20 minutes behind Cambria.
We believe we have limited the gap enough to win the 2nd round. The Jury confirms our expectations. Tuiga won this race on corrected time, winning also even before the last round the overall standings.
The crew is fully satisfied and will still present its best game for the next and final round to establish our “savoir-faire”. A great atmosphere prevails on board Tuiga and we are all very happy with this cohesion that possibly might also be envied by our fellow competitors.
E.D.
16 September 2010
The Trophy of Nice, 1st day
A wonderful day of Indian summer for the first day of racing in the bay of Nice. Few real adversities given the visible differences in our class of boats. We will compete with Cambria and Sunshine. On paper the task seems easy, on the water, "the job" will be far from easy.
The start is given with a light breeze from East to South East. Given the instability of the weather, we expect oscillations in the direction of wind and vigilance is needed to seize any shift of wind. We start before Cambria and the show will be brilliant from beginning to the end. A real "fight sailing"! We cannot talk about a match race because of the big differences between these two plans Fife.
We hold the speed and tactics are based today on a strict control of Cambria. The crew of Tuiga controls the situation and arrives to the windward mark in the lead. Tuiga slides under spinnaker with a good speed and jibes on the lay line while Cambria is left inside the frame. A real fight begins.The two boats are close to the wind and Cambria tries to pass once above, once below. His bow is at an impressive one length of the transom of Tuiga. The upwind performance is a delight for photographers. We close the door whenever possible and manage to wrap the last mark still in the lead. The final run is a fast tack made at a speed of nearly "ocean" as say the open sea riders. The game is all about power. In this game, Cambria has a far greater power than Tuiga and logically we lose the leadership. At full speed Tuiga cut the finish line a little over one minute after Cambria.
There was no way to contain the speed of this magnificent yacht and we are satisfied to take 1st place in the overall standings.
A “hello” is duly presented at our return to port to greet the elegance and the velocity of our best opponent in this Trophy of Nice.
A bottle of champagne follows on the pier...
E.D.
15 September 2010
The Trophy of Nice, J - 1
Practice with friends on board.
After the victory of Tuiga in Imperia, a new playground is being proposed. Nice: English Promenade, the Cape Ferrat, etc.... The Trophy of Nice welcomes a new fleet of classic yachts, one more spectacular than the other. Creole, Lionheart, Rowdy and more. Mariska is present but not competing.
Before beginning this second week of racing with some new recruits on board, we meet for lunch and some maintenance work to further improve the potential of Tuiga.
We take with us few volunteers from Mariska to sail with us in the bay of Nice and practice together some tacks and jibes.Ideally we must be at least 18 people to be effective.
Navigation lasts 2 hours, the entire sail gear is sent, the manoeuvres rather well executed . We take some marksfor the following days and monitor the movements of our spar.The breeze is soft and we return to port on the time to assist at the welcoming ceremony for crews. Teammates of Mariska have had a good feeling about the atmosphere on board and the know-how of the crew of Tuiga.
We hope to enjoy Nice and try to win this Trophy of Nice.
The first day weather forecast is optimist, but we do know our class opponents only tomorrow.
This event will include 3 races and a racing from Nice to Cannes on the 19th of September.
12 September 2010
Vele d'Epoca Imperia Day 4
It is at the sound of the gunfire that we leave the port of Imperia. A parade is held and the public is present on the dykes to watch the show as 74 ships pass in front of them.
The race is delayed because of a too weak wind. The breeze moves to SSE and the Committee decides for a course limited in distance: 12 miles.
The start is given. We start by covering Mariska. The situation is ideal. We implement the decisions taken the previous day.Tuiga sails with a good heading and speed. Light wind is ideal for our boat but we must remain vigilant. We watch closely our trim and check our settings. The gap with Mariska is widening. Our mainsail and all the other sails give a gracious look to our boat. We reach the windward mark without tacking. Mariska is already far behind. We prepare a bear away to descent onto the leeward mark. The manoeuvre is performed with cohesion and perfectly controlled. The spinnaker is established, the headsail descending quickly. Tuiga extends its 650 square meters of sails and proceeds with small accelerations and small slides towards the finish line. The course has been shortened and we cross the line with a comfortable lead over Mariska. Our victory in real time makes us feel good. The faces are smiling on board. No triumphalism, just the satisfaction of having honourably defended the colours of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The week was beautiful, eventful and beautifully organized. We prepare for conveying Tuiga back to Monaco. Lifeline are installed enhancing security. Nothing is left to chance.
We will soon meet in Nice for a new challenge of elegance and sportsmanship.
E.D.
11 September 2010
Vela d’Epoca Imperia Day 3
Vela d'Epoca, Imperia, Day 3
Finally the Indian summer is back. No more storm threats. The sun stretches over the horizon to open this third day of racing. The weather should be good but given the poor quality of the forecasts received the preceding days, we can’t really be sure from where the breeze will blow.
We are leading the overall standings and just need to control our opponents to secure our first position.
We take a very daring and dramatic start very close to the Committee’s boat. We infiltrate our 27 meters overall behind a tack to cut the line right on time and less than one meter behind the transom of Orianda. We go to the wind of Mariska and we are flawless on this first ascent upwind. The concentration on board is perfect. We will turn the windward mark with about a dozen lengths advance over Mariska.
The long tack with spi leads us to the east of Imperia. It is possible to descend there directly starboard tack. Mariska slips more than Tuiga. We are more head up and must play with small gusts that draw lines on the surface of the water. There is current at the mark, about 2 knots. We are a bit surprised by this and it prevents us from maintaining our speed. We need to make 3 more gybes to achieve our goal, while Mariska is on a direct route without having to manoeuvre. We will turn the mark just two lengths ahead.
It remains to sail upwind towards the line near the sea walls of Imperia. Deciding not to control our opponent, we try to go to the coast hoping for advantageous air lift. The bet is perilous. We do not win it. We need two tacks to cut the line while Mariska tacked only once and went directly to the finish line; She wins this round with a 38 seconds lead on Tuiga.
The disappointment is to be seen on the faces of the crew despite a victory in compensated time. We were hoping for that victory in real time but again it eludes us.
Once returned on the dock, we debrief our day. We do not want to settle for a compensated victory, we want a total victory.
An excellent gala dinner in Bordighera reinforces our cohesion and leaves us with high spirits. New options regarding sails and new settings are implemented. The crew remains united and determined. We know the victory in real time is possible.
E.D.
10 September 2010
Vele d’epoca, Imperia Day 2
Happy birthday coach Alain!
A few words about Alain:
Alain is known by various names. Among the fishermen of Dieppe, he is respected, aboard Tuiga he became Captain and “GO” in relation with travel programs related to Tuiga. At Cowes, in 2001, he was knighted by the "Queen". Not that the world knows. Another queen decided during the Jubilee of the America's Cup to grant him the title of Duke of Giese. Thank you not for not sending us emails at this point, the case being still classified “Secret Défense”. We are pleased to have Alain as a friend, even if we have to bear his dog on board.
Alain is known by various names. Among the fishermen of Dieppe, he is respected, aboard Tuiga he became Captain and “GO” in relation with travel programs related to Tuiga. At Cowes, in 2001, he was knighted by the "Queen". Not that the world knows. Another queen decided during the Jubilee of the America's Cup to grant him the title of Duke of Giese. Thank you not for not sending us emails at this point, the case being still classified “Secret Défense”. We are pleased to have Alain as a friend, even if we have to bear his dog on board.
But let’s go back to the day's news.
Frustrated by the cancellation of the race of the previous day, the crew of Tuiga stands ready for “battle” on the waters of Imperia. The weather forecast for the wind is N to NE, 10 to 12kts. In other words, the perfect conditions to establish our reputation as defender in Italy. We are all committed to doing our best in order to contain the assaults of Mariska, her problems with the saddle of the mainsail now resolved. She can now sail without any complications.
Coastal course of 17 miles.
The start is given in an established NE breeze of 15kts. For a 15m JI, 15kts of wind is already a weather situation that requires a great deal of physical shape from the crew. All adjustments are made to the boat. Without concentration at all times, the situation can quickly become critical.
We cross without problems the starting line, the Committee’s boat on starboard tack in a turning wind. Mariska is at the leeward mark and already the fight begins. We remain a little offshore but this time without direct contact. We measure differences in our respective positions with the help of the bearing compass. Mariska is good today. Heading, speed, efficiency seem to be on her side. We contain her but we are a little too shifted offshore to prevent her from choosing their options. The breeze is much higher than that forecasted and we are sailing without a “voile de fleche” or a “clin” jib.
At the windward mark, Mariska turns before us; we now sail a long downwind. Mariska with spinnaker; no spinnaker on Tuiga, its entire front triangle and the “petit fleche” up. In pure speed, the boats are equal. In passing the capo Seco, the gap remains the same. The wind becomes favourable and we launch our great gennaker in the middle of boats that run on different courses. The priority rules are anticipated. Mariska in free waters widens the gap.
Now a real poker game begins. The wind plays and “rien ne va plus”. It makes shifts of 180 degrees. It is a real lottery. Our tactician does not lose his cool.
After several tacks and jibes, Tuiga manages to regain on Mariska, who moments ago considered this race as an easy win. The manoeuvres on board are exhausting. We manage to come so close so that victory becomes possible even in real time. Everybody on board gives the maximum. One begins to believe victory possible.
Again, Aeolus redistributes the cards with incessant wind shifts at 500 meters from the finish line. We are constrained to jibe with very light winds at 100 meters from the line to let Orion pass – Orion has made an impressive race - but unfortunately we do not regain speed fast enough after the manoeuvre. Mariska cuts the line three seconds ahead of us in a great joy and applauses.
We are happy on board. Victory for Tuiga in compensated time. Victory in real time would have been a robbery. Based on the naval etiquette, we feel fully satisfied with this race. We are first in overall classification of this week's regatta in Imperia.
The birthday of the Duke of Giese will be celebrated tonight, as required by naval traditions and with the hope that this celebration will not alter our future performances.
E.D.
09 September 2010
Vela d’Epoca Imperia Day 1
Vela d'Epoca, Imperia, Day 1
Everything starts with a briefing in the conference room. Amendments to the race instructions are discussed in three languages. It is as a relaxed and sunny September day in Italy as one can well imagine. Wind is set to break at 11am.
Tuiga is out from the harbour and starts rolling in a swell from WSW even before sending the sails.
We observe the water and the sky. All the ingredients for racing are present. The weather forecast is rather lenient. The recipe for a good race looks simple: a good start and keep an eye on our direct rivals. The route will be long 17 miles.
Initially, we selected to start on starboard tack from the Commitee’s boat. Zaca prevented this by sailing so high that one might have thought of a rudder failure. Far from it, they simply decided to make our life a bit harder. We avoid her with speed, expressing so our motivation, but this manoeuvre has lengthened our journey; we cut the line with a little delay.
Once out of the traffic, we spot immediately Mariska and we begin our expected duel. The wind is well established at 15 knots East and we decide to go sailing without gaff topsail or “clin foc”. The crew takes its marks on board while watching the course and the speed of Mariska. Tuiga makes good speed and heading. We are just a few meters downwind of Mariska. From the first tack, it is already a match race. The show is on. We win back meter by meter after we slipped into the wind of our opponent. It seems handicapped by a problem with the mainsail saddle but remains nevertheless still dangerous.
Our progress is steady. Despite of a precise navigation, we have to change tack two more times to pass this mark. The current took us by surprise. It reaches almost 2 knots!The gap with our competitors is important. We are easily first in this race. In these circumstances reminding us some currents found normally inBrittany, we follow also a stormy development on the coast. We decide to descend safely to the mark which precedes a 5 miles downwind tack. We interrogate ourselves on sending up the spinnaker for this passage near the coast.
It is thunder and lightning before us. A storm could be nice, when one feels safe in the comfort of a home. In our case, we begin to wonder. Tuiga is running at an average 9.5 nods. It is exhilarating! The spinnaker has not been sent up due to a major wind shift caused by the storm that spread over the sea. We continue to believe that given our speed and the distance that lies ahead, we will pass before the storm. We decided however to be on the safe side and lower our “clin foc” and our small gaff topsail. Very wise move. The storm decides to cross to Corsica cutting us the road.
At the first burst, there is only ½ mile to go before the last mark. We are caught in divine wrath. Lightning strokes hit randomly around Tuiga. The atmosphere is electric in every sense of the word. We decide to retire from the race while the Committee comes together to announce the decision to stop the race. On water, it looks now like a battle and this battle must be won. We are able to lower the mainsail in difficult conditions. The swell and the wind make all movement and manoeuvres complicated.It will need all the experience of the crew of Tuiga to resume control of the situation while the hail hits the teak deck.
We returned to port without injury to the crew or damage to the boat and that is the most essential. Despite a little disappointment, since it was an almost won race, we all smile and are relieved to share a drink on land with the now returning sun drying our totally soaked sailing gear.
E.D
08 September 2010
Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, Day-1
This is the great return for classic yachts. Imperia is the first test of a serie of four weeks of racing that will present the most beautiful classic yachts units in the world.
Tuiga is present to defend his title held since 2008.
Besides Mariska, no other real competition for the flagship of the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The teams arrive on site, happy to be together and eager to measure their fitness in the Italian waters.The crew headed up by Alberto Miani will be composed with people from Monaco, France, Italy and even Switzerland. On board, faithful and experienced crew members will be reinforced by new recruits, bringing along new blood to Tuiga. From 52 to 130 kg, t20 people together. The coach Alain is waiting until the last moment to announce the positions of every one for this week of racing.
No particular new technology on board except a new setting for the rig which should allow Tuiga to sail even more precisely on the tacks. As we leave nothing to chance, we also have sent a “spy” Daniel to attend a training session on Mariska and inform us of the capacities of our most appreciated opponent.
The weather is looking pretty good, with breezes of thermal influence, but the overall situation is unstable and stormy. We stand ready to sail in the strong breeze, as was the case in the last edition in 2008.
The organization on land and at sea is worthy of its impeccable reputation. Four races are to be sailed until Sunday. Tuiga is prepared to sail with elegance and efficiency, its crew motivated to fulfil its objective.
Let the best boat win!
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