FIGARO BENETEAU 3 :

Sacré challenge !

En 2019, la classe Figaro Bénéteau se dote d’un nouveau voilier de course révolutionnaire, le Figaro Bénéteau 3. Imaginé par Bénéteau Racing Division et VPLP, c’est le premier monotype à foils de série jamais imaginé. Si l’enjeu est de taille pour Bénéteau, il l’est bien évidemment également pour les coureurs mais aussi pour les voiliers. Explications avec Quentin Ponroy.

Quentin, en quoi le dossier Figaro 3 est atypique pour North Sails ?

"Concevoir des voiles pour un nouveau bateau de série monotype, c’est toujours à la fois passionnant et complexe. Mais ça l’est encore plus sur ce dossier pour plusieurs raisons. En premier lieu parce qu’il s’agit d’un foiler avec tout ce que cela implique en termes de développement... D’autre part parce que si le bateau est monotype, les voiles elles ne le sont pas (à l’inverse des VOR par exemple). Enfin et surtout parce que nous partons un peu dans l’inconnu : les voileries n’ont eu que très peu de temps pour tester leurs voiles et les bateaux ne seront livrés qu’à partir de début janvier pour une première course fin mars ! Très concrètement ça signifie que notre premier jeu de voiles a quasiment été exclusivement conçu en mode "simulation" sur les seuls éléments techniques fournis par les architectes. Ils n’ont été confrontés ni à la réalité de la navigation, ni à la concurrence."

Et comment vous êtes vous organisés pour relever ce challenge ?

"Premièrement, nous avons mis en place une équipe. Gaëtan Aunette, en charge du One Design chez North Sails France est à la manoeuvre en relation avec les clients avec une casquette de technico-commercial. Je m’occupe pour ma part du développement technique des voiles et je m’appuie pour cela sur le savoir-faire exceptionnel de Yann Andrillon, notre ingénieur aéro, pour décrypter et exploiter au mieux les données récupérées. Trois profils différents mais complémentaires qui nous permettent d’avancer vite et bien. Ensuite, nous avons optimisé notre temps de développement. Dans un premier temps, nous avons pensé la philosophie générale de notre jeu de voiles, avec une réflexion toute particulière sur le Gennaker, une voile déterminante puisque c’est la seule qui n’existait pas sur le Figaro 2. Puis le 13 novembre, seule journée accordée pour les tests, nous avons tenté de valider au maximum nos choix initiaux pour ensuite finaliser la V1 de notre jeu de voiles. Il sera utilisé dès janvier sur les premiers bateaux de nos clients. Autant dire que nous allons passer du temps sur l’eau cet hiver, l’objectif étant de valider une V2 définitive début mars, avant le début de la première épreuve de la saison. C’est une vraie course contre la montre mais c’est justement ce qui est très excitant..."

FIGARO BENETEAU 3 / fiche technique

Le bateau

Longueur coque : 9.75

Longueur flottaison : 9 m

Largeur max : 3,47 m

Tirant d’eau : 2,5 m

Déplacement lège : 2 900 kg

Les voiles

Mat : 13,76 m

Grand voile : 39,5 m2

Genois : 30,5 m2

Solent : 24 m2

Grand spi asymétrique : 105 m2

Spi asy capelage : 78 m2

Gennak code 5 : 65 m

FEATURED STORIES

VIEW ALL STORIES

08 August

NORTH SAILS PORTSMOUTH AT YOUR SERVICE

Upcoming Regatta Repair Schedule North Sails Certified Service Experts will repair your sails overnight. Our Service van is on-site at select events, offering regatta venue pick-up and drop-off. Tears happen, but they shouldn’t leave you without a key piece of race inventory. Look for our North Sails Certified Service Experts at the following regattas this season. *All pickups will be 4:30-5:30pm and drop offs will be 7:30-8:00am. NYYC ANNUAL REGATTAJune 9-10 | Sail Newport, The Alofsin Piers BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEKJune 17-22 | Block Island Maritime Center SAIL NEWPORT REGATTAJuly 8 | Sail Newport, The Alofsin Piers ORC ECC / IC37 NATIONALSJuly 14-15 | The Alofsin Piers 12M WORLDSAugust 1-4 | IYRS Pier SAFE HARBOR RACE WEEKENDAugust 11-13 | Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard Pickup NYYC INVITATIONALSeptember 9-16 | New York Yacht Club Harbor Court IC37 NORTH AMERICANSOctober 6-7 | Sail Newport, The Alofsin Piers Talk To A Service Expert

23 May

CRUSH-ING RECORDS IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

North Sails-powered TP52 Crush is victorious in the 700 nautical mile Fremantle to Exmouth Race. David Davenport’s North Sails powered TP52 Crush has added a third race record to their long list of achievements in 2023, with the latest line honors win taken in the Fremantle Exmouth Race and Rally along Australia’s iconic western coast. North Sails Expert Andrew Harry commended the team’s efforts in the complicated race, “it was a great race for a lot of our clients. It’s the first time that the boat has done this race, and they add another race record to their names.” “Previously this year, they set a new record for the Bunbury return, which is 180nm, and the Cape Naturaliste and Return race which is 210nm, so three race records this year for the team, and all have been standing for quite some time. They won IRC overall in the race as well, which is part of our Bluewater Pointscore and secured the overall win for them this year in the series, so it’s a great win for the guys.” There was another win for North Sails customers in the long-distance race, with Alan Stein winning both the Overall PHF and Division 1 titles in his Pogo 40 called Fat Bottom Girl. “North Sails Expert Kyle Dodds onboard with Alan for the race, as he used to work in the Perth loft and sail with him before moving over to Sydney.” Andrew highlighted the development the team has worked with Alan on recently, saying, “Just three months ago, we put new sails on the boat, including all new 3Di inventory, and it really has transformed the boat. Alan’s really loving the sailing, and in this race, he won PHF, and he was fourth across the line as well. He’s stoked and really happy with the boat’s progress!” Unfortunately for Andrew and the crew on Obsession, they weren’t able to finish the race to Exmouth. “It wasn't the greatest for us, we got 100 nautical miles in and in a bare headed change, the breeze increased to about 35kts and we destroyed our headfoil, so therefore it gave the rig a bit of a shake, so we had to turn around. But the team and I all made our way up to Exmouth so we’re all here to support the rest of the fleet as they come in!” commented Andrew. “The first six hours of the race was really fresh, with easterly breezes between 18 to 38 knots, giving the fleet great power reaching conditions straight up the coast. As they got further north, there were a lot of shutdowns in the breeze, and it got a little trickier and more complex tactically. There was some great sailing going on out there, and everyone had fun with a big smile on their face as they arrived, so all in all, a successful race!” “It’s a great race. It's only the third time it’s been run, so over the last 30 years, it’s typically a long-distance race with a 1500nm around Bali, but as things changed over the past few years, it got moved to the beautiful Exmouth.” See full results from the 2023 Fremantle to Exmouth Race and Rally here. READ MORE

23 May

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: DUTCH SHOE MARATHON

Fun For Sailors Of All Ages The Dutch Shoe Marathon is almost a 5-mile race, a long-distance race in the world of 8-foot dinghies. The race starts in between San Diego and Southwestern Yacht Clubs and finishes at the Coronado Yacht Club. Every year almost 200 jr and sr. sailors come to race this fun race. For most of the Jr. sailors ,this will be a challenging and difficult race to complete. We asked rockstar coach Jon Rogers and last year's winner Ronan Servais for some tips. How do you help prepare competitors for a race like the Dutch Shoe? It's a long race. The first thing I do is to remember that it is as much an experience as it is a race. I triple check everything during the week before to try and ensure nothing breaks. I also check the weather forecast and tide so that I know what point of sail I will be on mostly on. Why do you like the T6 mainsail? The T6 is a good sail to cover all the conditions that we experience. It is especially good in events that have lots of boats and the related disrupted wind and chop that come with that. The T5 is a great sail, especially for smaller kids, but once the conditions get chopped up, the T-6 has a little more power to deal with it. What is your advice for fuelling up for such a long journey? I always remind competitors to bring a good amount of food, snacks and something good to drink. It can be a long race and all those little “pick me ups” help keep the mind focused. I tell kids to always bring something sweet that they really like. For me, it’s a frozen Snicker bar. Previous 2022 Dutch Shoe Winner Ronan Servais shares his tips on how to prepare for the race and what he likes most about the North T6 mainsail. How do you prepare for a race like the Dutch Shoe? It's a long race! It's a long race, so I get my snacks, fill up my water bottle and make sure my boat is ready to go. Last year my Dad and I reviewed my boat checklist the week before, which included a trip to North Sails, to inspect and pick up my new T6. I also suggest trying to get a good night's sleep and eat a big, healthy breakfast. Why do you like the T6 mainsail? I like the T6 mainsail because I go really fast with it. I have two hiking straps in my sabot so I can hike out farther and handle the power of the T6. Do you bring any snacks with you for such a long journey? Yes. I like cookies, candy bars and root beer. What are your sabot sailing goals in 2023? My sabot sailing goals for 2023 are to move up to Sabot A Fleet, and get a podium finish in an A fleet regatta. I’d also like to compete in the Dick Sweet Team Race for the first time with my SDYC teammates. What are your future goals in sailing? I’d like to learn to sail the C420 very well and then win a regatta in the Class. Stop by the Dutch Shoe Marathon this year at San Diego Yacht Club where you can enter to win a North Sails Pace SUP. Must be present to win. The winner will be drawn and announced at the awards ceremony on July 21st, 2023 at Coronado Yacht Club. Don’t forget, order now and save 15% on Sabot sails plus have your new sail delivered before the Shoe! READ MORE

VIEW ALL STORIES