The regatta
12.02.2010
VSD pays a visit to Valencia
Althought he says that he is in Valencia just for a "casual look", Stuart Rogerson did not think twice about sailing from Ibiza to experience everything that is happening at the 33rd America’s Cup. The crossing, even on a trimaran which is renowned in offshore multihull history, was challenging.
“February is not really the ideal month for a pleasure sail. We spent 24 hours with winds of force 5 bang on the nose, bashing into a swell of 2-3 metres. That’s kind of an insight into how much we wanted to get here.”
Of course the trimaran has seen much worst conditions. Stuart Rogerson has been the owner of VSD for 10 years. An innovative design in her day the boat has a special place in multihull lore. In 1979 in the hands of Eugene Riguidel and Gahinet VSD won the first two-handed double transatlantic race from Lorient to Lorient via Bermuda by 5 minutes and 42 seconds the combined talents of Eric Tabarly and Marc Pajot on the alloy tri Paul Ricard.
Rogerson came up VSD in a bay near San Antonio, Ibiza and it was pretty much love at first sight. He has devoted the last ten years to it and it is a passion which he enjoys sharing with other hundreds in an association called the "Golden Oldies" in which fans, designers, owners and amateurs, enthusiasts’ enjoy multihulls built before the last 35 years.
“We are here for the atmosphere but really to try and see the amazing technology andunderstand how it all works, and to see what we might find trickle down into our own sailing world. These two teams have been doing some exciting work.”
He recalls the work of Herreshoff, best known as the designer of winning America’s Cup yachts but also known as one the designers of the first modern multihulls. At the end of the 19th century one even reached 18 knots.
Of course the trimaran has seen much worst conditions. Stuart Rogerson has been the owner of VSD for 10 years. An innovative design in her day the boat has a special place in multihull lore. In 1979 in the hands of Eugene Riguidel and Gahinet VSD won the first two-handed double transatlantic race from Lorient to Lorient via Bermuda by 5 minutes and 42 seconds the combined talents of Eric Tabarly and Marc Pajot on the alloy tri Paul Ricard.
Rogerson came up VSD in a bay near San Antonio, Ibiza and it was pretty much love at first sight. He has devoted the last ten years to it and it is a passion which he enjoys sharing with other hundreds in an association called the "Golden Oldies" in which fans, designers, owners and amateurs, enthusiasts’ enjoy multihulls built before the last 35 years.
“We are here for the atmosphere but really to try and see the amazing technology andunderstand how it all works, and to see what we might find trickle down into our own sailing world. These two teams have been doing some exciting work.”
He recalls the work of Herreshoff, best known as the designer of winning America’s Cup yachts but also known as one the designers of the first modern multihulls. At the end of the 19th century one even reached 18 knots.
Rogerson’s only regret is that, understandably, he cannot get up close to see Alinghi 5 or USA 17, neither on the water nor at the dock. But, in saying that, he is looking forward too to watching the action on line.
“This edition of the America’s Cup is different from the last ones, even more exclusive and exciting. Monday we were in front of the giant screen to see what it was like, and then we fired up the computer on the boat to see what was happening on the Virtual Eye.” “I like the 3-D images and for me that is a big technological advance. It is extraordinary for the public because in this way you can appreciate so many things that you could not see on the water.”
