Diam 24OD Fleet @Cowes Week 2019
Photos by B Malas sent along report by Diam 24 Media / Sillages Communication –
During Cowes Week, the Diam 24 od shone brightly…
The Diam 24 od participated in the Cowes Week
It’s the first participation for a multihull one-design sport boat
The boats have proven to be quality-made : easy handling, stability and safety in light breeze
The calendar for discovering the Diam 24od concept
The last edition of the Cowes Week has been stamped by a new presence: the participation of Diam 24 od. In 93 years of existence, it is indeed the first time that this mythical event opens its doors to a multihull one-design sport boat series.
” It has been a real success. Everyone saw the boat “
The Diam 24 od is a well-known boat in France which seduces many professional and amateurs sailors. It’s specificity lies in its ultra-dismountable and transportable capacity, it offers also multihull sailing sensations to all and more precisely to the common users of monohulls. The English fleet is located in the Solent and brings together passionate navigators at Hamble. This Cowes Week participation was a decisive step which enabled british sailors to discover this boat.
Bryan Davies, the D24od agent at Hamble rejoices after this Cowes Week: « It has been a real success. There were many exposures and we have been receiving a lot of information requests since. Everyone saw the boat.» For this first edition, seven Diam 24 participated and some came from very far, as far as Antibes in the South of France like the British sailor Dave Thomas. «The most important thing was to have had seven boats on the departure line and competitive races. Three boats had a one point difference. That’s great » says Phil Cotton, the British class president.
Next year, the class president considers the possibility of having 10 boats on the Cowes week races, with the Diam24 od having the opportunity to race during the whole week and not only on 4 days like this year.
Cotton wins
” I discovered how much the boat was secure “
Due to strong wind conditions, this Cowes Week has been shortened for the Diam 24 ods who have sailed only on two days following the race committee decision, not informed about the strength and sporting qualities of the boat. Phil Cotton has won but has discovered strong competitors in newcomers. William Sunnucks, who had never set foot on a Diam 24 od before this regatta weekend, came out second twice. William is indeed a multihull specialist who had two Olympic participations on Tornadoes. « I have a strong experience in catamarans but it’s the first time that I navigated on a trimaran. I discovered how much the boat was secure and that we could really push it at its best.» William explains briefly.
Fast and Fun
” I discovered how much the boat was secure “
Due to strong wind conditions, this Cowes Week has been shortened for the Diam 24 ods who have sailed only on two days following the race committee decision, not informed about the strength and sporting qualities of the boat. Phil Cotton has won but has discovered strong competitors in newcomers. William Sunnucks, who had never set foot on a Diam 24 od before this regatta week-end, came out second twice. William is indeed a multihull specialist who had two Olympic participations on Tornado. « I have a strong experience in catamarans but it’s the first time that I navigated on a trimaran. I discovered how much the boat was secure and that we could really push it at its best.» William explains briefly.
” We have had very rough sailing conditions but there has never been any problem whatsoever “
Like many others, William has been able to navigate in light breeze on the first training day and tested the boat stability, even in 30 knots wind gusts. Bryan Davies explains: « Speed brings a lot of sensations yet we never feel endangered with this boat. We have had very rough sailing conditions but there has never been any problem whatsoever. The Mainsail can be reduced and the boat stability is amazing. »
The coming dates to discover the Diam 24od concept and to take the decision to be part of this new sensational Class in 2020!
On the 14th and 15th September, the class will compete for the National at Bainbridge
Sail Demo with the Royal Southern Yacht Club: Navigators in search of new sensations, curious to learn even more through regattas will be able to discover the boat during a new sail demo organised on the 19th and 20th October at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, at Hamble. This discovery opportunity is open to all.
A Class series settling nicely into the realm of monohulls! The president of the class believes that next year it will be possible to have 10 boats signing in for the Cowes week with the Diam navigating this time during the whole week contrarily to this year with only four racing days.
The shipyard believes that English sailors are curious about this new sportboat concept. The speed and simplicity of this boat are alluring. Louis Fournier the sales representative in charge of the class is pleasantly surprised by the number of new teams who wish to start racing with the Diam 240D for 2020, «To satisfy them we will make sure that the class receives our support for the organisation of a sport programme through regattas and especially during training weekends to better reduce anxieties and quickly assimilate the adjustments and race strategies ».
RANKINGS
Buzz Fluid Boat Services (Phil Cotton)
Sofia 3 (Hugo Vallerie)
ADH 7 (William Sunnucks)
Raygun Racing (Piers Hugh Smith)
3 Wise Money (Jon Hutchings)
Deka (Matthew Mulhenkamp)
Tri 2 Fly (Dave Thomas)
QUOTES
Phil Cotton (President of the UK Diam 24od Class):
«The most important thing was to have had seven boats on the departure line and competitive races.Three boats had only one point difference, that’s great. I have been discussing with the race Director of Cowes week, he was very impressed by our mastery of the boat. »
Bryan Davies (Diam 24od agent at Hamble):
« It’s a real success. There were many exposures and we have been receiving a lot of information requests since. Everyone saw the boat. ADH inotec shipyard has reached out to show us the « Easy Regatta » concept. It’s a super way to discover this new impressive sportboat. You don’t have to own a D24od. It’s a boat for everyone, especially for those who have never navigated on multihulls. It’s a boat easy to control. Its a fast and fun boat. Speed brings a lot of sensations yet we never feel endangered with this boat. We have had very rough sailing conditions but there has never been any problems whatsoever. The Main sail can be reduced and the boat stability is amazing. »
William Sunnucks (3rd in rank at Cowes Week):
« We arrived on Friday to find a boat set on the dock and ready to be launched – excellent service – thanks to the Diam team. There was a thorough handover between the crew and the technical team during which we were able to ask all the questions needed before hitting the road for Hamble on haul. We raised the Mainsail in the Southampton waters and precautiously took control of an unknown boat. The wind was strong, 30 knots. We were careful and arrived quite early at the Marina, the shipyard was relieved !»
