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YCB Triumphs at Menorca San Joan Regatta

YCB Triumphs at Menorca San Joan Regatta

Last weekend, the Menorca San Joan Regatta took place, with the YCB securing top positions. The regatta, a highlight of the sailing calendar, featured two segments: an offshore 135 nautical mile race from Barcelona to Mahon and a coastal race within Mahon Bay.

Outstanding Performance by YCB

YCB competed aboard the NEO 350 "The Improbable," commissioned by Dmitry Repin. The team clinched first place in the ORC 3 group for the offshore race. Their success continued in the coastal race, where they secured first place overall as well as in the ORC 3 category.

Race Breakdown

The race unfolded in three tactical stages:

  1. Reaching on Port: The initial 9 hours involved a reaching leg with approximately 15 knots of True Wind Speed (TWS) and a swell. Thanks to the new rudder installed in April 2024, the team effectively managed to wear their Code 0 sail, maintaining a leading position. By the 55-nautical mile mark at around 10 PM, they were just 4 nautical miles behind the DK46 and 1 nautical mile behind the Swan 42, matching the performance of the X41, a larger and faster vessel.
  2. Calm and Strategy: The second stage brought calm conditions. Success hinged on quickly capitalizing on the first 2-3 knots of wind. The GP 42 and DK 46 were the first to escape the lull, resuming full speed after a brief half-hour pause. The Swan 42 followed shortly after midnight, achieving 6-7 knots while other competitors, including "The Improbable," struggled at 2 knots.
  3. Downwid: Half an hour later, The YCB team reached a new preassure, it came from the starboard quarter and we started to navigate a downwind course, in 16-18 knots of TWS, executing jibes along the coast all the way to Mahon.
  4. Challenging Finish: To finish, we had to pass lateral bouys incide a bay, luffing up to 100-110 degrees True Wind Angle (TWA) in 16kn with a gennaker, a risky move that paid off thanks to the boat's stability and the new rudder. We finished strong, dropping the asymmetrical sail successfully just in couple of hulls distance from the shore.

Pride and Accomplishment

Post-race, the YCB team expressed immense pride in representing Neo Yachts in Spain. "The NEO 350 may be a small 10-meter boat, but it competes in real-time against much larger yachts, all while incurring half the maintenance costs," they noted.

Congratulations

Hearty congratulations to Dmitry Repin, the owner of "The Improbable," and to the dedicated YCB team for their outstanding efforts and well-deserved victories at the Menorca San Joan Regatta. Their achievements underscore the competitive spirit and skill that define YCB and Neo Yachts.