Formula Marine one of Europe’s leading mast builders supplied their new generation of ultra-lightweight carbon masts for the first three yachts to finish in the recent Normandy Channel Race for this demanding class. The gruelling course took the yachts from Ouistreham, Port of Caen, through the Solent in the UK to Ireland. After rounding the Fastnet rock, the yachts passed Guernsey before the finish back at Ouistreham. A total race distance of 1,000 miles and rough conditions reduced the 16 class 40 entries to 12 finishers, four of which were fitted with Formula Marine carbon spars.
Formula’s Wim Mooiweer commented, “We heartily congratulate the crews of Initiatives Saveurs, Port de Caen Ouistreham and Damien pieds et des mains for their 1st, 2nd and 3rd, this was a great effort and we are delighted with the contribution that the Formula carbon spars made to their Class 40 Rogers yachts. Our spars were also fitted on the Pogo 40S of Jean Galfione who was close behind in 6th place. This is a rapidly growing Class globally and our Formula Marine carbon spar facility in Southern France is at the forefront of mast development for these super-fast racing yachts.”
In addition to its main aluminium facility in Holland, Formula Marine builds in carbon at its specialist site outside Montpellier in southern France. Benefitting from Ferrari Formula 1 experience the French team design and build to the most exacting standards and take great pride in creating some of the lightest and most powerful rigs for ocean racing yachts and many superyachts.
With winning teams on the Class 40 circuit, Formula has built a strong reputation for providing a rig that meets the exacting standards of professional yachtsmen.