One Ton Cup – History in the making

by Fast40+ Class on 6 Sep 2016 The One Ton Cup owned by the Cercle de la Voile de Paris and presented by Hamble Yacht Services is just a few days away.

Considered to be one of the most prestigious trophies in yacht racing, the One Ton Cup dates back to 1899 and was last competed for in 2002. The golden era of the One Ton Cup was when IOR Racing dominated the world of yachting, countries from all over the world competed for the One Ton Cup, where reputations were made and lost.

The last winner of the One Ton Cup in the IOR era was Justine, owned by Frank Woods and skippered by Harold Cudmore. Justine won the cup for the Royal Cork Yacht Club in 1981, racing in home waters, the team were unbeaten in every race. The only time that the feat has been achieved before or since.

Anthony O'Leary will be racing Ker 40 Antix, this September, flying the burgee of the Royal Cork Yacht Club. “The One Ton Cup is part of yacht racing history and the Royal Cork was immensely proud to host the competition and to have a home win” commented O'Leary. “As always, Antix will be coming to win, we are up against a magnificent fleet of well-sailed boats, and the winners will have to be at the very top of their game. I can't see anyone running away with it.”

Peter Morton's Carkeek 40+ Girls on Film leads the FAST40+ Series, having won the the first three rounds. However, the One Ton Cup counts for double points towards the series, adding even more importance in deciding the season champion. For Peter Morton, winning the One Ton Cup is still a personal ambition.

“So far, we have had good results in most races this season, consistency has been the key.” commented Peter Morton. “ We have a really good team and they all work together well, the communication and the moding of the boat works well and gives everybody confidence. The fleet is definitely compressing, we are all very close, even during long races we are often overlapped after hours of racing. Over the last 30 years I have won the Quarter Ton Cup, the Half Ton Cup and the Three Quarter Ton Cup, on various boats. I have only come second in the One Ton Cup. It is something that is a bit of unfinished business for me, so yes, I would love to win it'.

Joining the FAST40+ fleet for the first time at the One Ton Cup, will be Heinz Peter Schmidt's GP42 Silva Neo. The young German team won the German National ORC title four times and won the ORC Euros in 2011, and made the podium for the ORC Worlds in 2014.

The One Ton Cup owned by the Cercle de la Voile de Paris, presented by Hamble Yacht Services and organised by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, will take place between 16-18th September in the Solent, UK. Nine races are scheduled with a mixture of windward-leeward and weighted points factor longer races.