The age of regatta one-designs
J 24: a successful international series
There were still relatively few regatta one-designs in France, even though Quiberon Bay in particular saw a number of J 24 units. Designed by the American Rod Johnstone (J Boat), with more than 5,000 units produced since 1977, the J 24 international series was present on all continents. The best regatta racers on the planet met up for fiercely contested world championships, and the winners consistently had a long list of achievements.
The Surprise, designed by Joubert and Nivelt working in tandem and built by Archambault one year earlier, went on to enjoy great success, thanks to its easy use, its performance levels and its rustic and functional accommodation with a “mountain refuge style”, allowing crews of four to embark on short cruises.
First Class 8: a bold, yet calculated gamble
Five years later, the Bénéteau yard, through Jean-Bernard Boulay, who headed up the sales department and helped build the dealership network, and François Chalain, the dedicated sailing project leader, decided with Annette Roux, at the helm of this Vendée-based yard, to launch a cruiser-racing one-design that was under 8 meters.
With virtually the same features as the J 24 and Surprise, the First Class 8 (7.85m long with a displacement of around 500kg, a sail area of 38m2 close hauled and 69 downwind) was also able to be transported. However, its lifting keel, thanks to a winch located in the cabin with a sort of endless screw mechanism, made it possible to access and anchor in the depths of the most remote coves. Both visionary and intuitive, François Chalain, a former member of Baron Bich’s crew for the America’s Cup preparations, invited two naval architecture firms, who were usually competitors, to join forces and create this sailing model.
Designed by Jacques Fauroux and the Finot Group, the First Class 8 was an undisputed success. More than 1,200 units were built over 15 years. Its basic but ergonomic accommodation and its attractive interior design, with its vinyl colored benches, also made it a perfect day boat for users looking to sail a quick model.
First Class 8 racing: a thrilling challenge
To ensure a fair approach, races involved crews of four or five people based on a maximum overall team weight limit. The “Class 8” was not only robust, but stiff to the canvas and impressive in the breeze.
At the French and European championships, which brought together more than 80 boats, with leading regatta racers, Olympic medalists, Whitbread and Ton Cup winners, and the best master sailmakers, as well as keen amateur racers… the margins were tight and sometimes a photo finish was needed to determine the winners. Known to be a bit “heavy” at the helm, the very seaworthy “Class 8” soared like a dinghy with the wind at its back and enabled the most seasoned crews to keep the spinnaker flying even in winds up to force 7. The class association was really dynamic, thanks in particular to Thierry Orbach, and was a key factor behind promoting this one-design.
The Fun: a promising one-design
The Jeanneau yard was not to be outdone. During the same year, it launched the Fun, an attractive 7.10m one-design created by the famous Joubert-Nivelt tandem, which, with its open transom, looked like a quarter tonner, a prototype for the IOR class. Also fitted with a retractable keel and able to be transported, this fractional-rig sloop, with 28m2 of sails close hauled and 51 downwind, featured a deck layout similar to a dinghy, complete with numerous pulleys.
The first world championship, held in La Rochelle, was a resounding success. Won by Xavier Phélippon, the future Olympian whose father Guy was one of the key players involved in creating the Grand Pavois show, it helped establish the one-design’s reputation. After Jeanneau, the Fun was built by Chantier Naval Azuréen. The Italian Lillia, used to working with the Joubert-Nivelt firm and specialized in building the Olympic Star, also produced it, but despite its qualities and its modern look, it did not have the same career as its “cousin”, the First Class 8, in terms of the number of units produced, reaching a total of around 230.
