Premier in general classification, it is a great start!

Yes, the boat performs very well. We won the general classification after having finished first three times and second in both real time as well as in compensated time in a fleet of ten “sport boats”.  The general level wasn’t extremely high apart from two well-sailed boats, notably a Mumm 30 who was our principal rival. We had winds between 2 and 15 knots and we now have a very good idea of the boat’s potential in this wind range.

What was your feeling onboard?

Longtze Premier is incredibly pleasant to sail. It is dynamic in sail trim and also the boat’s balance. On one hand close to a dinghy, because it is very light on the helm and sensitive to trim, but at the same time very stable because it is still a keelboat. The sail plan suits the boat just right. In only two days, we have gotten to know the boat very well, and it is true that it is impressive on the water because of its speed and “elegance”.

How did you choose the crew? What were your criteria? You entered the regatta with hardly any training. How did your first sail together on a new boat go?

There were four of us on board. We participated together in the 32nd  America’s Cup and will be involved with China Team in the next edition, so we weren’t  strangers. We had absolutely no maneuver or communication worries on board, because the boat is very simple with deck hardware perfectly dimensioned and very practical. This made it possible to verify a certain number of rigging options, which were selected for “one-design” boat. In any case, the numerous competitors present noticed its simplicity and the quality of material. There were quite a few visitors who came to see, being intrigued by this little red boat that sailed so quickly and easily, amongst the fleet of big boats. During the two races, we quickly caught up with the majority of Beneteau 40.7s, which had started 5 minutes before us!

Do you have potential buyers?

We have a lot of people interested in any case.
Longtze Premier, by its design, its color, its sails, and its quickness, truly made a sensation. The boat was unknown before and in eight hours all of a sudden, a “ball of fire” shot across the racecourse. I think it will fulfill the expectations of those who want to discover sailing with a simple fun boat, with all its sensations, in as much as those who expect the highest intrinsic performances.
Finally, regatta types will be very satisfied to have a boat that also allows racing against big boats, in compensated time, with respect to the fleet of “sport boats” which exist now.
In any case, here in China, we are going to quickly going to come to agreements to create fleets of 6-10 boats in a few marinas and within several tourist complexes on the South Coast. Two or three individual clients wanted to buy a “prototype” 2, the same we sailed here. They didn’t want to wait for the first boat, which would mark the first construction of the “one-design”!

What is your next plan now?

I will return to France and approach the design team members, who we have worked with during the last three America’s Cups, in an effort to better further the appendages and rigging.

At the same time, we will try new equipment to better the boat here and there. The performance is already remarkable in itself… the whole world has taken this into account during the China Cup. But we would like to propose a boat that is truly well thought out, down to the last detail. This boat must put together guarantees of simplicity, solidarity and performance.  It is easy to say, but it involves a big engineering investment. We are determined to do that, and the results from the last several days have encouraged us even more.

In any event, we are going to start the construction of Prototype 4, which will be the evolution of the preceding three prototypes.    We are also going to check the “assembly line” and take advantage of new improvements added in the boat building facility.

We will then go to Hong-Kong in November, for the Asian-Pacific keelboat sport boat Championships.

Any last comments?

Personally, it was an immense pleasure to sail on a boat like this…and, as its cost is more than reasonable, I think I might buy one for Christmas myself !!

 Fdb-Lh