Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

2.4mR Toulon Regatta

by Bruce Hill 6 Jun 01:08 NZST 23-25 May 2025
Little and large at the 2.4mR Toulon Regatta © Bruce Hill

Now a contender for the premier event in this year's 2.4mR calendar, this has got to be the highlight of the year!

It was lovely to arrive in the Cote D'Azur after driving through beautiful France and see the seven 12mR's moored up in the primary position in the town quay. The town was decorated with street lamp posters, flags and a large video screen erected especially for the event, anticipation that something big was about to happen was thanks mainly to the Toulon Marie and the huge Naval Base, the biggest in France.

After removal of trailer mudguards to enable some boats to enter through the narrow entrance we were presented by a very welcoming club, some polo shirts and obligatory security cards as we were alongside the Naval Base. The launching included a celebration of Uli Libor's new boat hitting water for the first time with his family.

The Practice racing was cancelled due to the 33knt mistral blowing which prevented all sailing that day. This was very suitably replaced by a complimentary 'Flying champagne buffet' situated in an amazing fort overlooking the sailing areas at the top of the hill. It would be from here that spectators would be able to view the forthcoming racing and more video screens/cameras.

Racing day one was looking good and after the ominous threat of towing out we all chose to sail instead through the harbour past the warships and ferries in the warm breeze.

This was where Megan Pascoe set the precedent in her newly launched boat (Super 3) with a 1st place, the first of many to come. Four races were held that day and the leaders were soon being established in the gradually increasing breeze. The days sailing was followed by free refreshments at the club. We then had a grand tour on inside and out of the 12mR fleet, such amazing yachts. This was followed by a barbecue held in a local restaurant, all complementary again of course.

Day 2 and saw some challenging sailing. With very few knowing the local area it was becoming apparent that going right seemed to pay dividends, although very difficult to see why from the sailor's point of view. Urs Infanger was now establishing a safe 2nd place after Megan in his David Hollom designed boat 'After Eight', some 40kg lighter than the Norlins and with a smaller mainsail. This evening's highlights included a trip around the very grand naval museum with another complimentary buffet and speeches followed by a trip to the local town square and its many lively restaurants. We each were given 30 Euro credit notes to enjoy the local foods and some sailors even succumbed to dancing the night away.

Sore heads in the morning and by the last race both Megan and Urs had secured 1st and 2nd respectfully but for the rest it was far from over. A somewhat port biased starting line caused the first general recall of the series and the so far unused black flag was given an airing for the next start but still, surprisingly, on the same biased line. This resulted in five BFD disqualifications. Michael Jakobs (GER) was able to discard his giving him a well-deserved 3rd place but Janus Libor and myself were moved pleasantly up the results table to 4th and 5threspectfully. A very well organised craning out, yet another free champagne buffet alongside the prize-giving and the long weekend was sadly nearing its end.

And what a weekend it was, SUPERB!

Many thanks has to go to so many people but especially Christophe Etorre, Patsie and Louis Marie from Toulon and of course Loic for such a memorable and successful event. So keep a note in your diary for next year's Regatta de Toulon, 7th May 2026.

Related Articles

2.4mR open meeting at Frensham
Fleet of 11 greeted by a decent wind from a good direction, and sun It is quite a privilege to be greeted by a decent wind from a good direction, including sun, at Frensham Pond SC. A small but quality fleet of eleven 2.4mRs had just that for their open meeting held over 31st May and 1st June. Posted on 3 Jun
Where to purchase adaptive sailing equipment
Seats, hoists, etc for sailors with a disability Several organisations have contributed their knowledge regarding where to purchase adaptive sailing equipment such as seats for dinghies and hoists for wheelchair users to get into boats. Posted on 1 Jun
Rooster are Clothing Partner of Poole Regatta
2026 is shaping up to be the largest in the event's history Rooster, the well-known watersports clothing and accessories manufacturer is to become the Official Clothing Partner of the International Paint Poole Regatta 2026. Posted on 22 May
Illusion and 2.4m joint open at Middle Nene
Postponed event finally runs, and the two classes meet for the first time The first joint Open Meeting of the two mini-keelboat classes Illusion and 2.4mR, originally planned for November, had to be postponed due to lack of wind. And with the winter pause at Middle Nene, the first opening in the calendar was 5th April. Posted on 9 Apr
Poole Regatta to Host IRC Europeans in 2026
4 days of competitive racing in a spectacular environment The enviable track record Poole has built for hosting unmissable regattas continues in 2026 with the inclusion of the prestigious IRC European Championship as an integral element of racing, alongside multiple class starts. Posted on 1 Apr
34 nations now actively involved in Para Sailing
World Sailing publishes six-month progress report on Para Inclusive Strategy World Sailing has published a progress report on the World Sailing Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029, six months on from its launch with current participation data showing that 34 nations are now actively involved in international Para Sailing. Posted on 20 Mar
Clagett Sailing announces Team Clagett for 2025
Team selected for the 2.4mR World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy The five sailors who will be representing Clagett Sailing at the 2.4mR World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy, in October 2025 are; Chuck Allen, Peter Eager, Delani Hulme Lawrence, Siobhan MacDonald and Julio Reguero. Posted on 27 Feb
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week day 3
Light winds affect racing The reason for having a week-long regatta is meant to put sailors to the test for different weather conditions. After two good days, we had light wind for Day 3 of Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 incorporating the 2025 29er Asian Championship. Posted on 15 Feb
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week day 2
Another good, albeit cold day for the dinghy classes Another good, albeit cold day for the second day of racing at the Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week incorporating the 2025 29er Asian Championship - although the wind was much less than expected. Posted on 14 Feb
Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 day 1
Fair wind across three race tracks located in Repulse Bay, Stanley Bay and Po Toi The first day of Sun Hung Kai & Co. Hong Kong Race Week 2025 started with fair wind across three race tracks located in Repulse Bay, Stanley Bay and Po Toi. Posted on 13 Feb
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst Yacht Tender 1456x180px BOTTOMArmstrong 728x90 - A-Wing XPS - BOTTOMVaikobi 2024 December