The modern classics from Spirit Yachts come together every two years to race off Guernsey. They are built in Ipswich on the British east coast and have been made of wood for 30 years. Spirit yachts have a traditional look, but feature modern underwater hulls with long appendages below the waterline - and also use composite materials for the hulls. The planking is structurally reinforced by the application of diagonal veneers, which are bonded at a 45 degree angle using epoxy resin.
Spirit provided a varied programme
The Spirit Regatta was organised by the Guernsey Yacht Club in the heart of the Channel Islands. Despite stormy conditions making the crossing difficult, the weather improved for the regatta and the eight yachts enjoyed 15 to 20 knots and sunshine for most of the week. Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands and is 30 nautical miles from the Normandy coast and 60 nautical miles from the south coast of England. The regatta programme consisted of a series of windward-leeward courses in the Little Russel Channel and longer passages around the islands of Herm and Sark.
The races were sailed in two groups. The Spirit C72 "Gwenhyfar II" triumphed in the largest class 1. After a hard-fought series of six races, the 22-metre sloop prevailed against the Spirit C65 "Chloe Giselle". "Gwenhyfar II" also took the overall victory of all participants at this year's Spirit Yachts Regatta. Her owner commented: "A great week on the water and ashore, Guernsey really showed its best side. Spirit organised a fantastic programme which was executed flawlessly. Thank you to everyone involved."
In Class 2, "Happy Forever" came out on top with five first places. The Spirit R52 is managed by a German and already took part in the shipyard regatta two years ago. The recently launched Spirit C72 "Elvis", a sister ship of "Anima II", received the "Spirit of the Regatta" award because she embodied the spirit of the event both on and off the water.
Spirit Yachts definitely has something to do with fuel
Traditionally, Spirit Yachts attaches great importance to shore activities. There was a sunset barbecue on Herm Island, a charity opti regatta and a Nyetimber champagne bar on the harbour, provided by Pantaenius. It was no coincidence that Hattiers Rum was the event sponsor. The shipyard name was derived from the name of the first 37-foot delivery and was in no way intended to refer to spirits or express spirituality, says shipyard founder and designer Sean Mc-Millan: "It was purely to do with the amount of whiskey I felt we needed to drink to see the project through. Hence the logo, which is modelled on a still." In English, spirit stands for high-proof alcohol.
Karen Underwood, Managing Director of Spirit Yachts, commented: "What a fantastic week! Champagne sailing in a beautiful location; the perfect conditions for our owners, crew and guests to enjoy these elegant yachts to the full, share stories and make new friends."
