Larouge (Farr Two Tonner)

This post features photographs of the Farr Two Tonner Larouge (Design #242), taken by Guy Gurney during the 1991 Admiral's Cup. Larouge was commissioned by Giuseppe DeGennaro and was launched in 1990, finishing second in the Copa Del Rey and was part of the Italian team that won the Sardinia Cup that year (with a race to spare), before going on to win the 1991 Two Ton Cup held in Kiel. 

Larouge sails downwind during the 1991 Admiral's Cup (photo Guy Gurney)

For the 1991 Admiral's Cup, Larouge was skippred by Robert Ferrarese, with Brad Butterworth aboard as tactician. Larouge finished the Admiral's Cup series as the second Two Tonner (behind another Farr design Bravura), with placings of 4/3/2/2/3/5. She was part of the second-placed Italian team, and sailed alongside the Farr 50-footer Mandrake Krizia and the Farr One-Tonner Brava, with the team finishing in second place, behind France.

Larouge during the 1991 Admiral's Cup (photo Guy Gurney)

Larouge approaches a gybe mark during the 1991 Admiral's Cup (photo Guy Gurney)

Larouge follows Denmark's Unibank and sistership Bravura from the United States (photo Guy Gurney)

Unibank leads Larouge around a gybe mark during the 1991 Admiral's Cup (photo Guy Gurney)

Larouge subsequently competed in the 1992 Kenwood Cup in Hawaii, as a member of the victorious European team and alongside Corum Rubis and Mad Max. The photo of Larouge in that series (below) was taken by Phil Uhl. Larouge lost her Two Ton champion crown that year to the newer Shockwave, but won it again in Cowes in 1993 after a closely-fought battle with Shockwave. She again raced in the Two Ton division in the 1993 Admiral's Cup - after solid results of 3/1/7/2/2/2 she lost her mast in the Fastnet Race finale and slumped to fifth place.

Larouge rounds a leeward mark during the 1992 Kenwood Cup (photo Phil Uhl)

More photographs from the 1991 Admiral's Cup, and a video of the series, can be seen here. Other images and articles about Larouge can also been seen on the Histoiredeshalfs website here.

March 2024

Shockwave (Farr Two Tonner)

Design 268 (Farr Yacht Design)

Shockwave, the 1992 Two Tonner, was the last of Neville Crichton's yachts to be designed and raced under the IOR. As a Two Tonner, Shockwave was just under 44ft long, and rated 35.05ft IOR. She was commissioned to campaign the 1992 Two Ton Cup, which was held as part of the Kenwood Cup that year, the first (and last) New Zealand yacht to contest this series. It was intended that she would then go on to race in the 1993 Admiral's Cup.

Shockwave, and her Japanese sistership Donky VI (Design 268), were developments of the successful 1990 Italian yacht Larouge (Design 242). Larouge had won the 1991 Two Ton Cup, and had placed first in class and second overall as part of the winning all-Farr designed Italian 'A' team at the 1990 Sardinia Cup. She then finished second in class to Bravura as part of the second placed Italian team in the 1991 Admiral's Cup. 

The Farr design notes comment that Design 268 included more powerful stern sections to increase the heeled length of the yacht at the cost of a small amount of sail area. Transition to windy venues such as at the Kenwood Cup was achieved through increases to stability, trimming down at the stern, and reducing sail area and this made the yacht longer and more powerful.

Shockwave on launching day, 7 May 1992 (above and below)

Shockwave during early trials on the Waitemata Harbour (above and below)

Crichton and his Shockwave team enjoyed success in Hawaii, winning the 1992 Two Ton Cup in a close tussle with Larouge, the reigning champion. 

Shockwave powers upwind during the 1992 Kenwood Cup (photo Farr Yacht Design FB page)

Shockwave slides downwind during the 1992 Two Ton and Kenwood Cup series in Hawaii (above and below)

Unfortunately, in the 1993 Two Ton Cup, midnight confusion and a U-turn by the race committee brought the series to a controversial and sad end for Shockwave. She went into the final 99 mile race leading on points, and the only boat that could dislodge the New Zealand crew from the second successive world title was Larouge. In strong winds and poor visiblity, four boats crossed the finish line together. There was no doubt that Larouge was first, but the crucial question was whether Shockwave was third or fourth. 

Shockwave at a gybe mark during the 1992 Clipper Cup (photo Farr Yacht Design FB page)

Larouge in Hawaii - Two Ton Cup winner in 1991 and narrowly beat Shockwave in 1993

Initially the committee said Shockwave was third, which meant they had won the championship, but then changed their minds to place the New Zealand boat fourth after evidence from Larouge and Germany's Rubin XII was presented. 

Shockwave at speed in the Kenwood Cup

Shockwave (right) follows Bravura, with Larouge visible to the left and Corum Rubis further back (photo Phil Uhl)

Shockwave later raced for the Irish team in the 1993 Admiral's Cup and became Jameson 2 and was the top performing Two Tonner in the series. Unfortunately the One Tonner in the team, Jameson 1 lost her keel after hitting Gurnard Ledge in the first race and had to retire from the series, while the 50-footer, Jameson 3 (ex-Heaven Can Wait) had to retire from the Fastnet Race after breaking her boom.

Shockwave, as Jameson 2 (sailing for Ireland) during the 1993 Admiral's Cup, goes through a gybe

while racing during the 1993 Admiral's Cup, with Japan's Swing close behind (photographer unknown) 

Shockwave was later bought by Australian interests and re-named Atara. She came to grief in the 1994 Sydney to Hobart race when on the second night, and with only the trisail set, a huge wave slammed into the boat and the sail and overloaded the rig, and retired to Eden. 

Article updated May 2025

Jameson 3 (IOR 50)

Today's featured yacht is Jameson 3, but she is less famous for her racing record than for this photo of her glorious broach during the 1993 Admiral's Cup series, captured by Rick Tomlinson. Jameson 3 was the 'big boat' (50 feet) in the Irish team (the ex-Australian yacht Heaven Can Wait), but she was disqualified in race 6 and failed to finish race 7, the Fastnet. The team was bolstered by a strong showing by Jameson 2, which finished third overall, but were severely hampered by Jameson 1 which had to retire from the regatta when she sank after striking Gurnard Ledge in the first race. The Irish team finished seventh overall, of eight teams.

Jameson 3, Admiral's Cup 1993 (photo Rick Tomlinson)