Half Ton Classics Cup 2013

The 2013 Half Ton Classics Cup was held recently in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Nord-Pas-de-Calais (18 to 23 August). A 29 strong fleet enjoyed nine closely fought races over five days of racing. The overall winner was the British yacht Checkmate XV, with just two fourths interrupting an otherwise straight run of first placings. She was followed by Collector (France) and General Tapioca (Belgium) who just edged out Chimp (Britain) for third.

2013 Half Ton Classic Cup winner Checkmate XV

The ex-New Zealand yacht, Waverider, winner of the Half Ton Cup in 1978 and 1979, sails for Belgium these days and finished in ninth place. The photos below are from the first day of racing (more photos can be found on the Half Ton Classics Cup 2013 Facebook page).

Part of the 29 boat fleet positioning for a start on the first day

Red Cloud (BEL), 6th overall

Checkmate XV leads General Tapioca on a tight spinnaker reach

Sibelius (FRA), fifth overall

A closely packed fleet on a downwind leg

Waverider chases Red Cloud downwind

Chia Chia (GBR), 17th overall