Super Fornaro here he is! New boat, new life

Why can we have high hopes for the next Mini Transat, scheduled for 2017? Because our minists are strong. Some time ago we told you the splendid Atlantic victory of Ambrogio Beccaria, who on Alla Grande Ambeco won among the Series the second leg of the Les Sables-Azores Les Sables by finishing second overall, Now it’s Andrea Fornaro’s turn, undisputed matador of the 2016 Mini Barcelona (300 miles on the Barcelona-Minorca-Barcelona route, the classic closing regatta of the Mini Transat season). Fornaro, aboard his new Ofcet Sideral 918 masterfully led the race almost all the time, even managing to get ahead of the protos.

CHRONICLE OF A VICTORY
Andrea recounts, “It was a beautiful regatta! The weather gave us a chance to go very fast, much of the time we traveled sideways, with a nice sustained wind that got as high as 25 knots. This allowed me to test the boat in its best condition. I was expecting a stiff wind from the northeast as predicted, and so after the disengagement buoy I always sailed lower than the others to go right to the northeast. Then there was a transition, everything dropped, we waited two hours until the wind finally came in and I was in the best position, higher than the others, left tack; from there it was a long fast ride to Menorca.

The island tour went well, on the way back I did two very pulled hours until sunset with the boat flying at 15-16 knots-a bit extreme but I wanted to release at speed-and then when night fell and I couldn’t see opponents behind, I figured they wouldn’t give tails because they were maybe too big, but instead I did it because I knew I was safe. So down the tails, all mainsail and jib, and the boat was doing 12-13 knots sustained. I was on course and pulled straight until under Barcelona the wind dropped and I put the spi on, edging aft to the finish.

I am very happy with this Ofcet because first of all it is comfortable and walks very well, then it is very fast and safe. Of course, it was also good to win, which is always good. Otherwise good organization of the race: 300 miles is a good size, not too many, but consistent to do solo. I always come very happily here to Barcelona…. it is a very nice place to race in“.

A SERIES MADE PROTOTYPE
The Ofcet 650, built by Prepa Nautic and Hervé shipyards to a design by Etienne Bertrand, is presented as a “proto disguised as a production boat.” It is characterized by very pronounced edges and flat hull, benefiting interior volumes. The boat is made of infused glass and polyester sandwich.