Longtze's UK debut

Franco/Chinese sportsboat to compete at Cowes Week

For the first time since its launch in 2008, the 6.8m long Longtze Premier sportsboat is to make its debut in the UK. The Longtzes will be competing at Cowes Week.

To recap, the Longtze was conceived by the French America's Cup team Le Defi and designed by Steve Thompson. It has removable wings giving it a beam max of 2.57m, a draft of 1.8m, an upwind sail area of 34sqm and downwind under asymmetric spinnaker of 79sqm.

The Longtzes race on a European circuit of five annual events, the Longtze European Tour while this year a new event, the Longtze Student Cup has been introduced with 15 universities involved.

The Longtze racing at Cowes Week will include a course around the Isle of Wight on the old America's Cup course. 10 boats are expected.

"We are very happy to meet the English, who are experts when it comes to skiffs and sportboats, and, moreover due to its New Zealand design, the Longtze Premier is part Anglo-Saxon," points out the Class President Xavier de Lesquen.

Pre-Registrations for Cowes Week 2010
LONGTZE WAY BEHIND - Ben Kay - GBR804
OVIK - Asperti Georges - FRA830
SHENSU - Jarmo Wieland - SUI825
TCHIKK - Matthieu Roynette - FRA818
VOILES ET VOILIERS - Laurent Berjeon - FRA836
WET FEET - Eckhard Kaller - GER824