12 Longtze Premiers anticipated for the Primo Cup

by Longtze Media on 6 Feb 2009 In only one year, barely one year, since its arrival in Europe, the “Son of the Dragon” has made its place in the small world of sportsboats. Now, no less than 12 Longtze Premiers, skippered by noted sailors (including Guillaume Florent, Luc Gellusseau and Erwan Tabarly…) are anticipated at the Primo Cup-Trophée Crédit Suisse, 12-15 February 2009, in Monaco.

The 25th running of the Primo Cup–Trophée Crédit Suisse, will be the scene for a series of firsts for Longtze Premier. These sportsboats will in effect be fleet sailing in Monaco, for the first time, next week.

For 2009, this new series in full development can already boast a fleet of 16 Longtze Premiers. The boat's development is targeted towards professionals as well passionate racing sailors. The Longtze Premier can be raced at a high level, but also for pleasure sailing.

“There prevails in this sportsboat series a very professional atmosphere, because we encounter 'pro' skippers, but the overall factor is the pleasure in the competition and the fun of surfing', confirms the skipper of Longtze Premier Kone Monospace. ?“The Longtze Premier is also accessible to young people and sailing clubs”, continued Marc Emig, skipper of Longtze Premier FRA 804.

Starting this year, the Longtze Premier’s development will be supported by a European competition circuit, the Longtze European Tour. With the assistance of sponsor Lufthansa, a race programme is in place.

The Longtze Premier fleet will race five regattas: the Primo Cup-Trophée Crédit Suisse (Monaco), the Grand Prix de l’Ecole Navale (Brest, France), the Deauville International Week (France), the Light Vessel Cup in Belgium, and the Lake Constance Regatta in Switzerland. “The regattas are organized in prestigious locations, and the sailing promises to be both interesting and complex”, commented the skipper of Longtze Premier Kone Monospace.

The Primo Cup : a series of firsts for the Longtze Premier
First regatta of the 2009 season, first event of the Longtze European Tour and first Primo Cup for the Son of the Dragon…This 25th edition of the celebrated Monaco regatta is highly anticipated by the fleet of Longtze Premiers!
A Czech, three Swiss, and eight French teams will be at the event. The majority of these teams are going to be introduced to the Longtze Premier for the first time during the Primo Cup, but they are all experienced sailboat competitors: they will be there to win.

Luc Gellusseau, one of the originators of the Longtze Premier, is someone who can account for the most number of hours at the helm of this new sportsboat. Guillaume Florent, bronze medalist in the Qingdao Olympic Regatta (Finn), Nicolas Berenger, 2008 vice-champion “Course au Large en Solitaire” (Figaro Bénéteau), Erwan Tabarly, 4th in 2008 Figaro Solitaire, Marc Emig, Match Racing specialist and Figaro sailor, will be introduced to the Longtze Premier; but all perfectly know the exercise of racing between two buoys. “We are all going to get into the boats at the same but we are also there to do our best…' , concluded Erwan Tabarly, skipper of Longtze Premier Athema.

Finally, it will be the first time that a competition assembles such a large fleet of Longtze Premiers... but it will not be the last!

The Longtze European Tour:
?Primo Cup - Trophée Crédit Suisse, 12-15 February 2009 (Monaco)
?Grand Prix de l’Ecole Navale, 21-24 May 2009 (France)
?Deauville International Week, 4-7 June 2009 (France)
?Light Vessel Cup, Zeebrugge, 4-6 September 2009 (Belgium)
Lake ?Constance Regatta, Kreuzlingen, 16-18 October 2009 (Switzerland)