The first photos of the YACHT had already published the new Sun Fast 30 OD in the summer. The standardised class is now gaining momentum, particularly in France. However, there is also interest elsewhere in the performance boats, which are built by Groupe Beneteau in Cheviré near Nantes, where many Figaro yachts are also built. In Germany, for example, where two-time Mini-Transat participant Lina Rixgens and Sverre Reinke are getting the first Jeanneau boat for Germany.
The Sun Fast 30 OD was the result of a competition
It is the one that the manufacturers will be exhibiting at boot in Düsseldorf in January. Lina Rixgens and Sverre Reinke will then take it over. The duo from Hamburg have ambitious regatta plans for the exciting boat, which is the result of a competition organised around two years ago.
The project was initiated in 2021 by the British Royal Ocean Racing Club, France's UNCL Pole Course du YCF and the American Storm Trysail Club. They were looking for an affordable small offshore racing boat that would also appeal to young people. The design, initially known as Class 30 One Design, was renamed Sun Fast 30 and presented for the first time in July at Fastnet Race Village in Cherbourg. The nine-metre-long boat has also been nominated for the European Yacht of the Year award in its class up to 30 feet.
The Trans-Ocean association inspires Rixgens and Reinke
The co-operation between the Beneteau Group involved, Jeanneau and the renowned duo VPLP/Multiplast has resulted in a boat that the manufacturers hope will have a strong regatta career. According to experts, the boat is versatile enough to meet the requirements of clubs looking to replace ageing fleets. The Sun Fast 30 OD costs around 180,000 euros ready to race and appeals to both one-design racing fans and IRC sailors. This type of boat is expected to revitalise the Tour de France à la Voile, for example.
With the support of Trans-Ocean e. V., Lina Rixgens and Sverre Reinke are taking off in the new class in the new year and have planned some regatta highlights for the coming season. Their boat is build number 6 and will be based in Kiel if possible - or will be travelling to regattas in French and British waters.
The Sun Fast 30 OD is simple, reduced to the essentials and fast" (Lina Rixgens)
"The trailerable boat is a great mix between a mini and a Class 40. It has great potential and is easy to handle," says doctor Rixgens, explaining her mixed team's move into the new class. "The Sun Fast 30 OD is simple, reduced to the essentials and fast," says Sverre Reinke, summarising the advantages of the new boat.
And there are other points that speak in favour of entering the class from the German crew's point of view. Sverre Reinke summarises the class concept as follows: "You can sail the boat with two to four people. The class rules ensure that the purchase costs for sails remain within reasonable limits." Although the Sun Fast 30 OD is sailed with a carbon rig, the interior below deck is "spartan, functional and practical" according to Reinke. Carbon or Tyra-Ply sails are also prohibited and the total number of sails is limited.
Baltic 500, Spi Ouest, Kiel Week, World Championship and more are on the programme
Lina Rixgens explains her own sporting plans with the new boat: "We're cherry-picking regatta highlights in England and France." The German two-handed classic Baltic 500 is also on the programme. Participation in regattas such as Spi Ouest, Kieler Woche, the two-handed ORC World Championships in Norway in June and other options such as possibly the two-handed mixed World Championships are also being considered. In the medium term, the doctor and the aeronautical engineer are looking forward to taking part in the Fastnet Race with the new boat in 2025.
Lina Rixgens and Sverre Reinke will probably be the only German team in the class for some time to come, as the waiting times for new orders are already around a year. Which is why the mixed pair immediately said yes when the option of taking over the exhibition boat for boot in Düsseldorf came up. They will be there on both weekends of the trade fair to share their opinions.
