Less than six months to go to seventeenth edition of Porquerolles Week

by Fabrice Thomazeau on 6 Dec 2014 2015 Porquerolles Week - It is an event that is a must in the Mediterranean IRC/UNCL crewed racing championship. The seventeenth edition of Porquerolles Week will take place from 13th to 17th May 2015 in Hyères Bay.

As usual, there will be a huge, prestigious line-up (around 75 boats are expected) with a wide variety of nations represented. The event will also be host to a leg of the European circuit for the Soto 40s, the spectacular 12-metre long one-design boats, which are bound to offer a great show. They will be sticking with the winning formula of high standard racing in an ideal setting.

It has become a regular event on the calendar. Each year since 1999, cruising yachts ranked uner IRC, get together in the bay off Hyères and around the Iles d’Or islands for four days of intense and thrilling racing. Each evening, they moor up in the port on the magnificent island of Porquerolles. After all the hard work, time to take it easy. Since 1999, the organisation of the event alternates each year between the Hyères International Yacht Club and the Porquerolles Yacht Club.

The 17th edition, which is due to take place from 13th to 17th May 2015 will be the responsibility of the Porquerolles Yacht Club. Over the years, the event has built up a reputation, which has seen it growing steadily and no fewer than 75 boats are expected in 2015. The IRC fleet will be divided into four classes. While it is of course, too soon to give precise details about the line-up, we are certain of seeing the leading players from the Mediterranean Championship.

These fine crews will be doing battle on technical race courses around the buoys or sailing on coastal courses off some breathtaking landscapes.

Soto 40s as guest stars
Porquerolles Week will also be the first of the four legs in the Soto 40 European Championship, before Valencia (in July), Palma in Majorca (in July) and Cascais (in August). Eight boats are expected in Porquerolles, once again with some top class international crews aboard. Measuring 12.3m in length, Soto 40s which are very popular in South America, are demanding, fast and technical boats.

Designed by the Argentinean designer, Javier Soto Acebal, they are one-design boats, in other words, all the boats are perfectly identical, so that everyone is racing on the same footing. It is down to the sailors to make the difference. With a long bowsprit, the Soto 40 can fly a big asymmetrical spinnaker and therefore speed along downwind and she glides along smoothly on her hull.

The cockpit is wide and open, reminding us of the impressive TP52s. With an open stern and gunwales opening out, a carbon rig and square top mainsail, the Soto 40 looks elegant and offers a remarkable level of performance. They are bound to be a magnificent sight at Porquerolles Week. Racers, photographers and spectators are certain to enjoy themselves. Make a note of the date in your diary!

Soto 40 specifications:

• Length: 12.30 m (40 feet)
• Beam: 3.75 m
• Draught: 2.60 m
• Displacement: 4.2 t
• Designer: Javier Soto Acebal
• Yard: M boats (Buenos Aires, Argentina)