Triple Head Sunday – Sending it on the North Sound

Today the fleet participated in the inaugural Triple Head Sunday, a new time trial sprint spanning a 1.5-mile course, to determine the fleet's fastest yacht on the North Sound.

Each yacht was set up for peak performance, a not often seen sail configuration with yachts flying all three head sails. Balthasar emerged victorious, with a corrected time of 0:15:34 whilst Lucky, the fleet's smallest Maxi, finished first on an elapsed time of 0:08:32.

The new race format added excitement to the Maxi Regatta, highlighting the speed and capabilities of the elite maxi yachts racing here in the North Sound this week. The invited yachts include Balthasar, Bullitt, Deep Blue, Galateia, Leopard, Lucky, and V.

After racing, the teams headed across to Necker Island, owned by Sir Richard Branson, for the Triple Head Sunday prize-giving and beach party. Prize-giving was hosted by North Sails President and Tactician on V, Ken Read, and broadcaster and race ambassador, Shirley Robertson.

Balthasar was awarded the beautiful Triple Head Sunday trophy, made by world-renowned designers and makers of elite sports trophies, Thomas Lyte. The silver trophy is historical, made almost 100-years ago, and was recently found in one of the archives. Thomas Lyte is responsible for making a number of high profile and famous trophies in sport and sailing including the Louis Vuitton Cup, Emirates FA Cup and the Rugby World Cup. Alongside, Lucky - the fastest on the course on elapsed time - was awarded a beautiful and exceptional glass art piece by a Czech artist called Prasklo.

Guests were then treated to a special and exclusive performance from the iconic Reggae band, The Wailers, as the sun was setting on Turtle Beach.

Ben Bartlett, Head of Maritime Valea Group, “When we were planning the regatta we knew we wanted to do something really unique for both owners and the crews on Sunday, which is typically more of a lay day. So the idea was to set the yachts up in their fastest configuration, which normally only happens two to three times in a season, and race a short, fast course - with two rounds - that would get everyone revved up and the blood running. It did just that! It’s one of the highlights of the event so far, and a racing format that we can see becoming legendary in future Maxi Regattas.”

Balthasar Owner and Driver, Filip Balcaen, “We had a fantastic race today, and with the corrected time we won overall. It was the first time we have done this type of race and it was a lot of fun.”