Trade fair novelties Cannes, No. 2: Grand Soleil 34 Performance: sheer racer

So there she is, the smallest sailing yacht among the world premieres at this year's Cannes Boat Festival, which is increasingly turning into a superyacht event. Because the Quai St. Pierre, the pier in the west of the Vieux Port, is almost exclusively used to exhibit boats in the 50- and 60-foot class, Grand Soleil actually had to moor the 34 Performance elsewhere - 300 metres away from the brand's actual stand and right on the outside of the floating dock, which is otherwise largely occupied by Jeanneau.

You really have to want to find them. Hardly anyone will come across them by chance. This may also be due to their size. Eleven-metre boats are now so much in the minority here that they hardly stand out among all the much longer and higher-boarded exhibits. A development that should worry the trade fair organisers - but in fact they seem to be aiming even higher.

Welcome aboard an exceptional phenomenon. This is the Grand Soleil 34 not only in Cannes, but also in the Cantiere del Pardo programme. While the shipyard is increasingly focussing on upmarket, luxurious yacht building and is aiming even higher with the recently launched motorboat and the upcoming custom line, even in the more sporty performance range, the new model is first and foremost a racer.

This is clear from the deck equipment and the cockpit layout. Three control lines on each side alone for adjusting the 3D hoist point of the genoa require the crew's trimming skills. In addition, the kicker can be hauled or furled on both sides using a curry cleat, as is usual on regatta yachts. The long GRP tiller with boom positions the helmsman far forward in the cockpit - where he has access to the two mainsheet winches, but not directly to the backstay and traveller line. This layout is not ideal for single-handed sailors. However, this was not the main focus of the development. Rather, the Grand Soleil 34 Performance is a yacht for a complete, well-rehearsed regatta crew.

Those who have interpreted her as a fast cruising boat will be partially disappointed - similar to the Italia 9.98 Fuoriserie and the XP-33 from X-Yachts, she demands significant concessions in terms of living comfort. For example, the storage space to starboard behind the wet room is only accessible through the bathroom. Bulky sail bags or other equipment must therefore always be dragged up and down the companionway. The shipyard is considering an improvement here, possibly offering access via a locker lid, but this would involve changing the shape of the deck and would be correspondingly costly.

The Grand Soleil 34 Performance also looks a little less promising below deck than it appeared in the computer illustrations. The finish is indeed neat, and there are hardly any other solid mouldings in the sports segment. However, the quality falls short of the brand's otherwise very high standard. Storage space in easily accessible lockers is extremely tight, especially in the galley and saloon.

But there are also positive surprises. The owner's cabin on the port side aft looks quite spacious. The bathroom is also fine. And the variability in the open foredeck is pleasing. For regattas, a large area under the hatch can be cleared to stow and stow the spinnaker or gennaker. In addition, a shelf can be used to separate storage space, as an extension of the double berth at the front or as a stool for two co-sailors, who can also sit at the folding saloon table. This is a really clever solution.

None of this will determine the success of the 34 Performance. Rather, it will depend on the regatta results and how well the strikingly designed boat fits into the measurement. The prerequisites for this are at least fundamentally favourable. The rig, sail plan and even the keel weight can be adapted to ORC or IRC.

Specification, price and further information can be found here.

And here is an overview of the other premieres that we will be presenting in detail in the coming days:

• Eleva The Fifty - What characterises the new, extravagant brand from Italy
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 - What sets the top model apart from the 440
• Dufour 520 Grand Large - What the extensive model upgrade has brought
• Grand Soleil 52 LC - How versatile the new cruising yacht from del Pardo is