The pricing structure has been set for the new series which includes charter for the duration of the regatta plus a practice day, launch & rigging plus regatta entry fee which includes a social.
The European Viper Series will run over the following weekends at Real Club Nautico De Palma ( https://www.rcnp.es )
Dec 14/15 2019 Trofeo Navidad 660€
Feb 15/16 2020 Trofeo Noli 660€
Mar 27- 29 2020 Trofeo Princesa Sofia 990€
May 9 – 12 2020 Palma Vela 1,320€
For more information or to book a Viper 640 contact Paul or Debbie via admin@rondarboats.com
Congratulations to Marcus Eagan, Andrew Eagan, and Jackson Benvenutti (Mandeville, LA) for winning both the Goslings 2019 Viper 640 World Championship and the 2019 Viper 640 North Americans. Hosted by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club (Long Beach, CA), the four-day Championship consisted of 13 races in atypical Long Beach conditions – light, 8-10 knots except for the final race on Day 2 and the last two on the final day when winds were mid to high teens. It was a regatta where sailors were faced with a wide range of conditions and those atop the podium had to be capable of dealing with them all.
Eagan ended with 33 points after five of the races atop the 41-boat fleet. In second was Geoff Ewenson (Annapolis, MD), Ryan Cox, and Jon Ziskind with 44 points having won an extremely consistent series with 11 top-ten finishes. In third, from South of Perth Yacht Club in Western Australia, were former Viper 640 World Champions Nick Jerwood, Brian DeVries, and Matt Jerwood.
The real story about this regatta was the blend of sailor experiences both on and off the water. The sailing, despite many light-air races, was keenly competitive; but it was the blend of great racing and spectacular on-shore activities that made the Goslings 2019 Viper 640 World Championship the event it was. ABYC volunteers, Goslings rum, and the full cadre of Viper sailors came together every morning and evening to deliver a bucket list event.Results
Images by Sharon Green (#ultimatesailing) and videos by MikeyFoxtrot can be seen at https://www.facebook.com/Viper640/
The Purobeach Women’s Cup at the Copa del Ray regatta, held at Real Cub Nautico de Palma was raced in 12 identical Viper 640’s being sailed by some of the best women’s teams at the inaugural Women’s Cup Event sponsored by Mapfre.
For many of the teams, this is their first time in the Viper, and they fell in love with the speed and fun they were having racing the boat. Teams have come from all over Spain, as well as Gran Canaria’s, and 2 teams have flown in all the way from Buenos Aires in Argentina.
Double Olympic medalist Natalia via Dusfrene, won the first day with 3 bullets for Team Dorsia but the racing was super tight behind her. On day two Helena Alegre from the Federation Balearic posted 2 bullets and were clearly getting to grips with the Viper. Racing was postponed on day three due to strong winds but the fleet went out at midday, and had some fantastic racing with race wins for Team Dorsia in the first race, Patrica Suarez from RCN Vigo in the second, with Federation Balearic taking the third race.
Overall, Team Dorsia with Natalia at the helm are sailing consistently and grinding out decent finishes even when they deep in the pack, which is a characteristic of all great sailors. On the last day of fleet racing the fleet was honoured by a visit from the Queen of Spain accompanied by the young princesses. For the finals the event remained wide open with the top 6 boats all recording podium places in the fleet racing so far. With each boat having points equal to their fleet overall position the point are tight with the added pressure of no discard in the final series.
The first race was sailed in the light north easterly land breeze, the breeze faltered giving the mid fleet bunch a chance to overtake the leaders to a shortened line. Leaders Julia Minana Delhom was OCS so Helena Alegre picked up the win.
The sea breeze then kicked in to provide decent conditions for races 2 and 3. Having finished 6th in the first race Natalia Via Dufresne and team needed a good second race to compensate, but disaster struck with one crew member knocked out of the boat on the first downwind leg, and dropping them to the back as they doused the chute and sailed back to recover her. Marina Casado took the win in fine style. The last race gave Julia Minana Delhom a win, but the consistent Helena Alegre ended the day topping the leader board 5 points clear.
The final showdown saw Federation Balearic take the first race whilst FEDERACION CATALANA DE VELA won the second. Helena Alegre’s team held out for a 4th in this final race to give them the title of Purobeach Women’s Cup Champions
1. Federación Balear, Helena Alegre, 3*+1+5+3+1+4=19pts
2. Vela Catalana, Aura Miguel, 4*+4+2+9+3+1=23pts
3. Dorsia Sailing Team, Natalia Via Dufresne, 1*+6+10+6+2+3=28pts
Helena Alegre, skipper of Federación Balear
The One Palma Viper Finale Regatta was hosted by Club Maritimo San Antonio de la Playa in Ca’n Pastilla near Palma. Teams from local clubs as well as the UK and Australia raced in perfect conditions throughout the event.
Day one saw classic Mediterranean conditions with clear blue skies and 8 – 14 knots.
GBR #274 raced out of the blocks leading at mark one and extending their lead at the finish; followed by ESP #305 (who won the last Palma event) in second.
As the wind dropped slightly in race two it was #305 overhauling #274 downwind to take the win, and ESP #304 getting the gun in race 3.
Day two with an earlier start time began lighter & built as the day wore on. Again racing was incredibly close with the lighter team ESP #304 winning again but GBR #274 showing their strength as the wind built. This breeze also saw the Aussies get into their stride, and the local ex-Star sailor from CMSAP.
Race day 3 and the wind came in early at 20 knots with choppy seas. GBR #274 had the edge upwind but AUS #308 snatched the win at the gybe to the line. For race two no one could catch GBR #274, whilst the last race of the day saw a number of boats retire due to various gear failures with their rigs; this allowed local 420 sailor Laura Homer to win in ESP #241.
Points were close going into the final day.
Racing was postponed due to cloud and a light gradient, eventually racing got under way building to 12 knots then dropping away to 8. The races were won by the lighter teams but it was not enough to overhaul the young GBR team.
First overall was GBR 274 sailed by Tommy Darling, Charlie, Gus & owner Luka; second overall AUS 308 sailed by Rob Beurteux, Chris & Stubba; third overall AUS 310 sailed by Murray Howson, John & Tony.
Not very long ago the smart people at Rondar had the idea that some European sailors might fancy a spin in their Viper 640 sportsboat as a winter break in a sunny place with wind, frequent flights, good food and perhaps a glass of wine. Only three months later 11 boats, some privately owned and some chartered out by Rondar, gathered for the third event in the series at the Real Club Nautico de Palma, Mallorca. The fleet was lined up ready for us when we arrived, launched by the impeccable RCNP and rigged and supported by a great team from OneSails Palma. One Sails even debuted a fleet’s worth of nice looking black carbon sails for the boats launched at this event.
The Viper is very popular in the USA, but has never previously got going in Europe. For those of us who did not know it before we set off in our rented boat, it turns out to be pretty sporty, with a powerful dinghy-style rig upwind and great downwind pace with a huge gennaker, both demanding quite a workrate from at least some of the crew, but with the security of a substantial bulb on the keel for the more exciting moments. There is no weight limit, but boats were using 3 or 4 crew depending on their size – and the size of their family. The boats are very even in speed, with cap shroud adjustment being the only real rig tuning option and the rest all down to sailing skill.
The idea of the Palma Winter Series is that owners can base their boats in Palma, stored and managed by OneSail, and either use them or charter them out for an event every month or so over the winter and spring for a long weekend’s racing within one of the RCNP’s regattas. The RCNP certainly proved to be fantastically equipped and hospitable to crews and shore crews, and the multitude of bars and restaurants of Palma old town a few minutes walk away meant that most crews’ nutrition programmes were put on hold for the weekend.
We had three packed days of excellently-managed racing in the RCNP 50 Trofeo Princesa Sofia, sharing a course with Dragons and J80s, but thankfully not mixing too closely with the huge Olympic selection regatta also on the bay. Palma Bay seems to have a pattern of switching on the sea breeze at around 2pm each day, so mornings at leisure were followed by back to back races finishing, with the breeze, in time for the free beer and barbecue by the pool. This pattern also gives a challenging mixture of wind strengths and directions as the breeze builds and swings, particularly on the last day where, shock horror, the sun went in and the wind swung around rather more with the odd rain cloud. Well, it is winter sailing.
It was great to see young local sailors keeping the RCNP boats up at the front, mixing it with ex-Laser World Champion Lawrence Crispin in his own Viper, but Lawrence sailing with his muscular son Luka and the expert Hector Cisneros showed consistency that no-one else could match, and took the event by a margin from David and Jamie Hitchcock with Ian Nicholson, who have also done quite a bit of Viper sailing before. Third were the first local team of Pedro Aragon from the RCNP, showing that it does not take a good sailor long to get up to speed in the Viper.
This whole event is a great concept, and very much the right boat and the right place for it to work. Palma is perfect for both a holiday trip and some serious sailing, and it is a rare privilege to be able to do both for the price of a short flight and a very reasonable charter fee. The next event is the Palma Vela, 10-12 May, when we hope to have the next 4 boats. Boats are available for charter or sale, contact heather.chipperfield@gmail.com if you want more details. Then, it’s the Finale from 17-21 June, when we will be welcoming our 4 Australian boats, with their sailors and friends. Details of these events, and chartering options, are at https://www.vipersailpalma.com/
Written by Heather Chipperfield
The Women’s Cup, the new women’s class in the Copa del Rey MAPFRE will be sailed in Viper’s this year. The event is hosted by RCNP, in Majorca, between July 27th – Aug 5th 2019.
Pic by ONEPalma
Ten teams will compete in the class, and for the very first time in history the Copa del Rey MAPFRE will have an all-female winning team.
With the aim of reinforcing female participation in the sport of sailing, as it is being supported for the olympic classes in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
The choice of a one-design such as the Viper 640; suitable for crews of up to four sailors, was one of the main driving forces behind the new class. The class offers the opportunity to put each skipper and their crews’ talent and skill to the test, under exactly the same conditions. The one-designs will be handed over three days before the first race under a draw system, which ensures maximum equality between teams, with exactly the same preparation and training time for their boat and crew.
The ten all-female crews will compete in the 38th Copa del Rey MAPFRE under the new classification system, which takes place in two phases: Monday to Thursday with up to eight races and a discard, and the final stage from Friday to Saturday with three further races and no discard.
The second event of the ONE Palma Viper 640 Winter Series took place over the weekend of February 16/17. Real Club Náutico de Palma hosted the event as part of the Trofeo Noli Regatta, again there was ‘wall to wall’ sunshine.
Family teams were the order of the day including GBR’s Russell Peters crewed by his daughter Suzy & son Freddie; Tara Gillespie sailing her fathers’ boat with her mates; & two ESP Optimist sailors crewed by their parents.
Three races were held in light shifty conditions on Saturday, Russell Peters scored three firsts but they didn’t get it all their own way. In race 3 they stole the win on the final downwind leg after they rocketed from 6th at the final windward mark. In fact, every boat had their moment of glory in the snakes & ladders conditions. Again the club hosted a competitor BBQ after racing before the UK competitors went out ‘on the town’ to sample the local night life.
With some competitors feeling slightly de-hydrated the following morning, they were pleased to relax on shore until the wind filled in at 2.30pm. Two races were completed building to 9 knots. Team IBO.ES won both races but it was not enough to overhaul the Peters family from top spot overall. The team helmed by Javier Chacartegui a former J80 World Champion took 2nd overall counting a run of seconds.
With more boats being delivered to Palma ready for the Princess Sofia next month the future is looking good for Vipers in Europe.
Full results at https://www.cyberaltura.com/web_management/files/resultados/1550421874-overall_viper.html
Video at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1b8JfrUrAx5fTcw3kry7pCc_SlMYazkLB?usp=sharing
The Viper 640 Palma series kicked off in style with glorious sailing conditions in a beautiful location. Three ‘seasoned’ Viper teams made their way from the UK hoping for some respite from the cold, grey January weather at home. Rondar Raceboats had also shipped out some new charter boats allowing local sailors & teams from the UK unfamiliar with the Viper the chance to try the class.
Real Club Nautico de Palma ( RCNP ) is hosting this series with the aim to bridge the gap between the Superyacht racing & Youth dinghy racing, which is the clubs current focus. This weekend the Vipers had been invited to join the Trofeo Sant Sebastian Regatta a local cruising and one design event.
Saturday dawned warm & sunny allowing all the sailors time to boat bimble whilst the thermal breeze decided to switch itself on. By the time the fleet arrived at the start line the breeze arrived in style. The race started in 16 knots, it was clear that the ‘newbies’ to the class had a lot to learn. Lawrence, Luka & Hector stormed away with David, Ian & Jamie in hot pursuit despite ripping their kite on the way to the start.
The wind dropped a few knots for race two allowing everyone time to settle, & so the boat handling improved. This gave the local team, helmed by a top 470 sailor, the chance to shine but they still couldn’t catch the boys from Stone Sailing Club. By race three the wind was down to 10 – 12 knots with the fleet now tightly packed but Lawrence, Luka & Hector took another win.
RNCP hosted a free BBQ & drinks for competitors & the decision was made to bring the start time forward the next day as a 40 knot forecast was predicted.
The fleet arrived at the marina on Sunday morning to warm & windless conditions. But headed out knowing that wind was on it’s way, sure enough as the boats left the harbour the gradient wind began to build. Race 4 started in 18 knots but the fleet had prepared & wound on their rigs. The race team were not ready for our speed upwind so there was some confusion as the windward mark was laid late. The shifty conditions resulted in some ‘snakes & ladders’ position changing up by the shore. The HISC team found their legs & took the win whilst the next 4 boats had a close tussle for 2nd.
By race 5 it really started to blow with ragging mains & two teams making their way straight to shore. Lawrence, Luka & Hector were at ahead at the first mark & stayed in front to seal the event victory. Race 6 was cancelled just in time as the gale arrived mid afternoon.
RCNP hosted a fantastic event but then with warm sun, good winds, great food & lovely wine what’s not to like about Palma!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GBR274 | HECTOR CISNEROS | HECTOR CISNEROS | STONE SAILING CLUB | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | GBR260 | S/N | DAVID HITCHCOCK | HAYLING ISLAND | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 3 | GBR242 | TEAM RCNP | RCNP | RCNP | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 4 | GBR640 | LOOPX | BARTOLOME RIERA COLL | RCNP | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 17 |
| 5 | GBR241 | V1 | JONATHAN GILLESPIE | RORC | 5 | 5 | 6 | 3 | DNF | 19 |
| 6 | GBR285 | RONDAR BOATS | DEBBIE JARVIS | HISC | DNF | 7 | 4 | 4 | DNC | 24 |
| 7 | GBR270 | TEAM GROWLER | JON DIXON | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DNF | 28 | |
| 8 | GBR24 | MYC3 | SVEN HADLER | MYC | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | DNF | 29 |
Video at https://youtu.be/oqc1hsEL65w
Pics © Ugo Fonolla / Viper 640 Winter Series Palma
The next event is on the 16/17 February – Trofeo Noli Regatta (local cruising and one design event); followed by the Princess Sofia Regatta in March plus two more regatta’s in May/June. Full details about the series & chartering a Viper is at https://www.vipersailpalma.com/
To continue the Viper 640 lifestyle of racing great boats in nice places, we are delighted to be able to announce a series of Viper 640 races for Spring 2019, in the beautiful Bay of Palma, kindly hosted by the prestigeous Real Club Nautico De Palma. Situated on the waterfront in Palma, just a stones throw from the old walled city and the iconic Cathedral, and 15 minutes from the Airport.
The Yacht Club itself is probably best known in dinghy circles for running the Princess Sofia Regatta, in early April. Palma is also a popular choice of winter base for many Olympic teams, due to it’s warm climate and fine sailing areas, and easy access from all over Europe.
Our prime objective with the Viper is to provide competitive racing, in a rewarding boat, in great venues. In the last 2 /3 years, we have raced in Riva Del Garda, Italy, Bermuda just before the AC, Miami in the Bacardi Cup, the North Americans in the Gulf of Mexico in Fort Walton, Florida last fall, and our inaugral World Championships on the Swan River in Perth, WA last February, and now in Palma through the coming spring. The class is now World Sailing approved, and is holding it’s next World Championships in Long Beach, LA , in August 2019. Our intention is to hold our first European Worlds in Palma in 2021, and therefore we hope that this winter series will be a regular one in the build up to that event, and that a strong local fleet will develop.
The Dates:
RCNP Viper Series 2019
January 26/27 – Trofeo Sant Sebastian (local cruising & one design event)
February 23/24 – Trofeo Noli (local cruising and one design event)
RCNP Regattas
March 29/30/31 – SAR Trofeo Princesa Sofia
May 10,11,12 – PalmaVela (international multiclass event)
June 17, 18, 19, 20 , 21 – Viper Regatta (replaces the Lake Garda event)
For more information about the events see www.vipersailpalma.com or to buy or charter a Viper then please email admin@rondarboats.com
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