Patches 2

Another Reichel Pugh-designed TP 52 for Irish owner Eamon Conneely

The most successful yacht in Cowes weeks history, a Global Championship trophy on the shelf alongside the prestigious Copa Del Rey, and a third place in the 2006 Breitling Medcup have made Patches arguably the most successful TP52 since the class’s inception .

For the 2007 season, Eamon Conneely and his team will have a new Reichel/Pugh designed TP52 to continue their winning formula. Construction of the new boat has begun at McConaghy’s boatbuilding facility in Dong Guan, China.

“ Patches has been a fantastic boat in which we have had a lot of success under IRC and in the TP52 class this year. We have progressively optimised the boat and now we want to put all our best ideas into a new boat for 2007” explains owner Eamon Conneely.

Skipper Ian Walker added “We know we can improve in several areas, we had good boat speed in most conditions and we do not want to lose that. We are confident that the Reichel Pugh design team can seriously advance the performance across the wind range.

The new Patches will be built in McConaghy’s new facility in Dong Guan, China where Geoff Ross' new Yendys was recently launched and where the Chinese America’s Cup boat is under construction. Walker continued “I have always admired McConaghy boats and they have a very strong relationship with Reichel Pugh. I am convinced they will build us as good or better boat than anybody else.”

Conneely knows that it is not all just about improving performance. For the 2006 Breitling MedCup the team had a very successful sponsorship with Siemens but with Siemens looking to have their own boat next year his team are actively seeking a new sponsor.

“We achieved excellent commercial returns for Siemens this year and I am aware that a new sponsor will expect not only a strong team but a great new boat. The Brietling Medcup circuit is going from strength to strength and with new media in place, the 2007 circuit will reach an even wider audience. Building this boat will make our team even more attractive to any new s ponsor looking to enter the class” said Conneely.

The new boat will be launched in May 2007 prior to the first MedCup event in Castellon in June. Patches will again be sporting a Hall Spars rig and North Sails.