Elan Crossovers wins at Hammo, Cowes & One Star

by Gael Moldan on 4 Sep 2008 The Rob Humphreys designed Elan Crossovers have been proving just how perfect a yacht they are for the cruising sailor who still wants to be able to win a race or two. A Race or Two? These have been doing much more than that - they have been bringing home a fine collection of silverware with last week's win at our ever fabulous and fun–packed Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and also at the 2008 famous Cowes Week and the mighty challenging European Simrad One Star and Watsky Two Star Races.

These Elan Crossover models have been commanding a great deal of respect out on the water once again proving their fine pedigree. And it is that Cruiser Racer fine tuning and pedigree that has long been what is so fundamental to Humphreys' design ideals - and he just does it so well.

The Audi Hamilton Island Race Week saw Donald & Sue Swanson’s beautiful blue hulled Elan 37, ‘Just Quietly’ win the series in PHS Passage Div 2. With race placings of; 1st, 3rd, 6th, 2nd and 3rd and the mandatory drop of one race, 'Just Quietly' came home with an impressive series total score of 15 with points to spare.

Winning skipper, Donald said 'The boat was absolutely brilliant - she performed so well, she was absolutely trucking. I could not have asked for more.'

Having taken their boat up to Hamilton for the first time in one of Australia’s most prestigious races - they are absolutely ecstatic!

For the classic Elan 37 Performance Cruiser, one of Elan’s most successful models, it’s another fantastic win in what has been quite a remarkable race history for this model.

Utterly delighted, Sue expressed what an amazing overall experience it all had been, 'The competition was exceptional and the fact that we had such a total mix of crew from old friends to crew that we just picked up from the wharf when we were short.

On board, we had a 12yr old who we had to send back to school one day to our dear 80yr old sailing friends – and a good measure in between. And that makes this even more special. We just had the most incredible week.'

Rod Parry of Navsail says 'We heartily congratulate Donald, Sue and their incredible mix of crew on their outstanding win at Hamilton Island Race Week.

It just goes to show you that with a good boat that you do not have to have a ‘works team’ to get across the line.
Donald and Sue are both great advocates for Elan. They are always out there sailing and are a very keen team who really enjoy cruising and racing on a beautiful boat.

‘Just Quietly’ also took second place in PHS Div 2 in the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta earlier this year in March. ' he added.

All up, a top performing boat in a great race, an adventurous crew and a choice of magnificent places to stay with magical views all with that wonderful combination of good food, wine and company … Hamilton Island Race Week does make for a very exciting fun week.

And the Elan 37's success at Hamilton Island follows the recent wins by the new Elan 410’s at the famous Cowes Week and the mighty challenging One and Two Star races in Norway.

Yachting World described the Elan 410, 'She is one of those boats that just looks right - your eye insists that she will sail well.'

And that's just what this model has been doing in some recent big races:

Elan 410 -1st Place - Skandia Cowes Week - Class 2 IRC
Elan 410 - 1st in class Simrad OneStar
Elan 410 - 2nd overall - Watski Two Star
Elan 410 - 1st Place Garmin Hamble Series - Div IRC 1

Jim Macgregor’s Elan 410 'Premier Flair' cut a star trail ahead of some pretty high class competition at the prestigious Cowes Week taking out first place overall in Class 2 IRC. At Cowes it was a cool line up with Grand Soleil 43, IMX 40's, Beneteau First 44.7's / 47's, 40 Corby, J/122, J/133 just to name a few and among them, the old Elan 37 rival Quokka - now a Corby 37.

The Simrad OneStar out of Norway is a challenging solo race in which the same person must complete all races. The origin of this big race goes way back to the 1880's.

Norway’s Tor Hove, previously owning and racing his much loved Elan 37, simply revels in these one and two-Handed races, entering his new Elan 410 ‘Elanor’ in this year's Simrad One Star and Watski Two Star races last month.

Horrendous conditions with crazy wind changes and blinding rain saw the big fleet of very competitive yachts on their way at the start of the first day of the One Star.

On the following day in the second race, the 410 had an outstanding start. Her solo sailor had the spinnaker flying within 20 seconds putting her up front early in the race with a brilliant 40 mile spinnaker run, followed by a 40 mile hard beat and finally a close reach to the finish. This brought a perfect result for the Elan 410 finishing in first place in this testing star studded field.

Yes! Without compromise, Elan has a brilliant Crossover line up - to satisfy the most demanding boy/girl racer and cruising family too.

Contact Navsail now to find out more; 02 9999 6730, elan@navsail.com.au, www.navsail.com.au