Rolex Commodores' Cup line-up

Ten teams to compete next week

The Rolex Commodores' Cup commences on Sunday, 15 August, with the first race scheduled for 10.30 and there has been no shortage of activity since the close of challenges for the 10th biennial Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

While the single team nations, Ireland, South Africa and Hong Kong, set out their stall early, identifying boats and team members, the multi-team nations, United Kingdom and France have faced more complex decision-making in defining the composition of their various line-ups.

Ten teams, comprising a total of 30 yachts spread over five nations, will be on the start line all fired up in anticipation of a highly competitive event. Teams are made up of three boats, one in each of three precise rating bands.

Class 1
Highest Rating: GBR2045R Alice II Simon Henning (GBR White) Farr 45 - Rating: 1.226
Lowest Ratings: GBR851R Cracklin’ Rosie Brian Wilkinson (GBR Black) Corby 40 - Rating: 1.110
FRA36777 Codiam N. Loday & C. Nicoleau (FRA Blue) Grand Soleil 43 – Rating: 1.110
Largest Yacht: GBR2045R Alice II Simon Henning (GBR White) Farr 45 – 13.8m
Smallest Yachts: FRA35439 Inis Mor Laurent Gouy (FRA Yellow) Ker 39 – 11.8m
IRL3939 Antix Anthony O’Leary (IRL) Ker 39 – 11.8m

Class 2
Highest Rating: HKG2097 Blondie IV Anthony Day (HKG) King 40 – Rating: 1.119
Lowest Rating: GBR42N La Reponse A McIrvine & P Morton (GBR White) First 40 – Rating: 1.085
Largest Yachts: GBR2215L Quokka 8 Peter Rutter (GBR Red) Grand Soleil 43 – 13.25m
GBR2643R Artemis Paul Turner (GBR Black) Grand Soleil 43 – 13.25m
Smallest Yacht: IRL39000 Marinerscove.ie David Dwyer (IRL) Mills 39 – 11.88m

Class 3
Highest Rating: GBR8410R Premier Flair Jim MacGregor (GBR Red) Elan 410 – Rating 1.074
Lowest Ratings: FRA21706 RealAx François Blossier (FRA Red) A35 – Rating: 1.030
GBR8809R Inspara David Hudson (RSA) J-109 – Rating: 1.030
Largest Yacht: GBR8410R Premier Flair Jim MacGregor (GBR Red) Elan 410 – 12.27m
Smallest Yachts: FRA34634 Prime Time M Alperovitch/J Huillard (FRA Yellow) A 35 – 10.59m
FRA21706 RealAx François Blossier (FRA Red) A35 – 10.59m
FRA37311 Gaia Bernard Moureau (FRA White) JND35 – 10.59m

The Rating Bands:
Class 1 1.110 – 1.230 DLR not exceeding 200
Class 2 1.075 – 1.119 DLR not exceeding 200
Class 3 1.025 – 1.074 DLR not exceeding 215
DLR = Displacement Length Ratio

In the battle of the designers, Mark Mills comes out on top with six of his designs participating.

The ten challenges lodged for the 2010 is the smallest fleet size since 2000 when seven teams contested the trophy.

The USA has won the event twice (1992 & 94), GBR twice (2004 & 2008), France twice (2002 & 2006), Germany once (1998), the Channel Islands once (2000) and England once (1998).

Hong Kong has competed twice before in 1992 and 2008. South Africa is competing for the first time. France has competed in every event since 2000.

Programme and points weighting

Saturday, 14 August Registration/Skippers’ briefing/Opening Reception
Sunday, 15 August 2 x Solent inshore races (1.0 each)
Monday, 16 August 2 x Solent inshore races (1.0 each)
Tuesday, 17 August Offshore race (2.5)
Wednesday, 18 August Offshore race continues
Thursday, 19 August Rolex Trophy Day 1 x Solent inshore race (1.0)
Friday, 20 August Round the Island race (1.5)
Saturday, 21 August 1 x Solent inshore race (AM) (2.0)
Prize Giving (Royal Yacht Squadron) 1700

Full line-up