M32: Miami Showdown

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Good to see the M32 gaining momentum and fleet numbers. Press release sent by Peter Gustafsson –M32 Gold Cup Media AlertShowdown in Miami for fast growing M32 class  – M32 Gold Cup Feb 28th – Mar 3rd

Background
M32 is a 32’ full carbon catamaran with focus on simplicity and speed. Low weight makes it fun and exiting to sail, both for pros and experienced amateurs.
M32 Cup is a semi-professional series with action and entertaining sailing, right in the centre of major cities. It was established in Scandinavia in 2013 and this year it will visit Gothenburg, Oslo, Malmö,
Copenhagen and Stockholm. Other regional series will be established in 2015 and beyond.

Promo film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ2N4E-DBUU
M32 Gold Cup is the first ”unofficial World Championship” where 4 US boats and 4 European boats will see four days of intense racing in Miami. This might an annual event.

What’s the big deal
M32 attracts some of the best sailors from different parts of the sport. Olympic champions, Volvo Ocean Race winners and America’s Cup sailors battle it out in boat that they love to sail. It’s also a great stepping stone for young sailors who want to move on to Extreme Sailing Series and America’s Cup.

Fredrik Lööf, Olympic Champion: This is the most exciting boat ever.
Ken Read, CEO North Sails and VOR skipper: After playing around on a M32 catamaran in Sweden last year I found my next boat.

With active fleets on two continents, fifteen boats sailing and seven more in build – M32 is the only established multihull class in this size. And it’s growing rapidly.

Who’s racing
This weekend the three favorites are from Sweden: Fredrik Lööf (Star Class Olympic Champion and three time olympic medallist), Mattias Rahm (match-racing star and America’s Cup strategist) and Hans Wallén (Olympic Silver Medalist and 8 times World Champion) all have a full season in the class and are steadily improving.

Rahm won M32 Cup in Scandinavia 2013 as well as the warm-up race in Miami in November with very consistent sailing. The others are just points behind.

The US teams doesn’t have as much time in the boat, especially in close racing, but they have have the speed to give the Swedes a match. Consistent starts and tactics for the first reach leg will be critical if they want to be in the game.

Media
Daily reports, photos and short video segments will be available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ry06ltnmqz3qavl/_ZHnBLiZrn
Wan’t to get out to follow the racing, looking for an interview with the teams or have other questions: [email protected] or +46 733 304000.

Schedule
February 28th – Friday
10:00 Skippers meeting
12:00-16:00 Racing (typically 6-8 races)
16:00-18:00 Welcome party

March 1st – Saturday
10:00 Skippers meeting
12:00-16:00 Racing
16:00-18:00 After Sail
19:30 M32 get together

March 2nd – Sunday
10:00 Skippers meeting
11:00-11:30 Drag Race for Charity
12:00-16:00 Racing
16:00-18:00 After Sail

March 3rd – Monday
09:00 Skippers meeting
11:00-15:00 Racing
16:00 Prize Giving

Crew lists
Team Rahm (SWE)
Mattias Rahm
Johan Barne
Mikkel Rössberg
Fredrik Aurell

Team Lööf (SWE)
Fredrik Lööf
Martin Krite
Daniel Wallberg
Andreas Axelsson

WAR – Wallén racing (SWE)
Hans Wallén
Jonas von Geijer
Anders Dahlsjö
Tomas Persson
Philip Carlsson

Sail Racing (SWE)
Klabbe Nylöf
Jonte Häggbom
Jonathan Ameln
Tom Gross

Liftoff (USA)
Malcolm Gefter
Lars Guck
Jonathan Farrrar
Dave Douchett
Katherine Gefter

Ultimate Pressure (USA)
Peter Denton
Jerry Kirby
Luke Lawrence
TBD

Gradient V (USA)
Randy Miller
Ian Andrewes
Alex Van Brunt
Colin Dunphy
Daniel Roberts