There were certainly no identical opponents in this special kind of match race. In terms of length, the Spirit 100 "Gaia" and the Spirit 111 "Spirit" by 3.30 metres. There were 13 years between her launches. The 33.90 metre long "Geist" left the shipyard based in Ipswich in the south-east of England in 2020.
On the first day, the two Spirit yachts met at Sandhamn Seglarhotell, the summer home of the Royal Swedish Yacht Club Western Archipelago. The owners of both yachts have personal connections to the Swedish capital and were greeted on arrival by the outgoing fleet of classic yachts that finished the annual Sandhamnsregattan and set the tone for the event.
The German owner of "Geist" said: "It was the first time we were able to really put the two boats to the test. There are not many competitors for a modern classic yacht that is this fast. It was an opportunity I didn't want to miss."
Under the direction of the Stockholm sailing club Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap, three coastal races took place on the first day on the waters around Sandhamn, in the classic match race format similar to the current America's Cup. The match race rules were followed, with each yacht being allocated one end of the start line, having to enter the start box and cross under the start line to be on starboard with the wind clear and take control of the first upwind leg. After close racing in almost perfect sailing conditions, "Geist" took three wins from three races on the first day. As the sun set over Sandhamn, the two teams met for a traditional Swedish dinner, drinks and singing, led by the "Gaia" crew at Sandhamn Seglarhotell.
"Geist" wins the match race of the two Spirits
On day two, the adrenaline was pumping as the two yachts set off from the start line for a 30 nautical mile passage that took them through some of the 30,000 islands of the Stockholm archipelago over three legs. "Gaia" came off the line fast and determined to win the start of Race 4, defending her lead on the first beat by taking the lead in a high-intensity duel of tacks and tight manoeuvres. As the two yachts entered the heart of the islands, "Geist" began to pull away from "Gaia" despite the local knowledge on board and won the section.
In turn, "Gaia" won the second and third legs of the middle distance (races 5 and 6). The Spirit 100 passed the citadel on Kastellholmen under spinnaker on its way to its home port. At the closing party in the centre of Stockholm, "Geist" was crowned the winner of the unusual match race with four victories. The "Geist" owner was delighted with the format: "This was our first match race and we had some of the best conditions I have ever sailed in: 20-25 knots, flat seas, open waters and great competition. It was a real eye opener for us to see what we can achieve as a team. An experience I will never forget."
Spirit Yachts: classic above, modern below
"Gaia" and "Geist" were built by Spirit Yachts in Ipswich, UK, and at the time of their launch were the longest wooden slips to be launched since the J-Class yacht. "Shamrock V" was launched in the 1930s. The cracks were made by the Spirit designer Sean McMillanwho drew by hand and focussed on long overhangs and classic deck leaps and always relied on modern appendages such as spade rudders and T- or L-keels.
Spirit continues to build the hulls using the moulding method, initially upside down. First of all, the ring frames made of moulded wood are placed, which are connected to a central stainless steel structure that absorbs keel and rigging forces. The longitudinal stringers and deck beams are then fitted before the boat builders start planking. The final step is four diagonal layers of veneer strips, all glued with epoxy and tempered under vacuum at 45 degrees Celsius, before the whole thing is coated with a layer of glass fibre. A complex method that guarantees maximum strength with relatively low weight.
