Longtze Premier in Europe and Asia

by Longtze Premier Media on 20 May 2008 Longtze Premiers were sailing in both France and Korea at the same time last weekend. Separated by a distance of 10,000 km, the European and Asian Longtze Premier sportsboat teams were given exact opposite sailing conditions. One team was in oil-slick waters, light winds, and rain; the other in 30 knots of wind and sunshine. In all, 7 boats were on the water. An outstanding start to the season!

For the first group, there was sailing in Brest, France at the Naval School Grand Prix, the largest gathering of Sportsboats in Europe, with a fleet of more than 130 boats. Four Longtze Premier crews were on the start line for their first competitive outing in European waters. “We finished in front of the Melges 24s and amidst a pack of Open 7.50s. We are very satisfied. The boat is fast, accelerates in the slightest breeze, is lively and very easy to handle. I’ve never had so much fun sailing!” said Xavier de Lesquen, who raced on Luc Gellusseau's boat, coming in second behind the grey Longtze Premier helmed by Sébastien Audigane. Overall, seven races in light weather, light to medium wind, and hazy Brittany sunshine replacing the previous days of rain.

On the other side of the planet, on the South Korean coast, three Asian teams led by Pierre Mas headed for the Yisushin Cup. The regatta brought together 80 boats from Japan, Russia and Korea. On the sailing programme were magnificent landscape backdrops and strong conditions. “We had between 25 and 30 knots of wind all weekend … we were launched like a speeding bullet on the downwind legs in the heavy breeze.' Long drawn out surfing was the norm! 'It is a sublime place, something between Sweden, Norway and Brittany. It is an ideal place to go sailing and there is enormous potential for sailing in Korea,' enthused Pierre Mas on his arrival back in Qingdao.

Meanwhile in China, the boat building team is continuing the actual production rate of five boats a month. The next deliveries are headed for Switzerland and Hong Kong.