News

January 10, 2008

There are just four months to go until the TP 52 MedCup Circuit 2008 kicks off, and although some of you may think that things haven’t yet started warming up, Mean Machine has been preparing for the season since September 2007.

…And it’s going to be a tough season. On the one hand De Ridder’s crew face challenges in Farr 40: a class where the level of competition is now comparable to the level found in the TP 52 class, and where the competition is also dominated by experienced top-class teams and incredibly close One-Design racing.

Mean Machine have two main aims for the Farr 40 North American Circuit: to compete to the best of their ability and reach the podium in this powerful class; and in doing so, to use the experience to prepare for the tough European TP 52 season ahead.



With these aims in mind, just a few months ago the brand new Mean Machine Farr 40 was built. The boat will see the team through to the climax of the 2007/08 season: the Rolex Farr 40 World’s…and beyond. However, the team haven’t just been focussed on the Farr 40 class.

Whilst some of the members of Mean Machine have been 100% involved in this campaign, many have done so two-fold, also preparing for the next TP 52 season. The brand new TP 52, designed by Peter de Ridder’s friend and fellow Dutchman Rolf Vrolijk, will hit the water in Spring 2008. It’s still being put together in the Salthouse shipyard in Auckland, New Zealand, under close supervision from the designated team-members.



One thing’s for sure, this season is going to fly by… the Mean Machines will barely have time to finish up the Farr 40 regattas –will the Worlds- before heading over to Europe to kick off the TP 52 season. It’s rumoured the 2008 season is going to serve up an even higher level of competition than ever before.

Every little counts when it comes to preparing for the key Circuit in the international sailing calendar, and facing the pressure and training of the Farr 40 regattas couldn’t be a better way to warm up for what’s set to be a very hot season ahead indeed.