Hopes are high within the Class 40 fleet that a reduced European Trophy will be confirmed — if there is enough participation for at least two out of the three races on the calendar.
Alongside the classic Normandy Channel Race and Rolex Middle Sea Race is the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race now slated for 22 August, which last week received its first French Class 40 entry in the shape of Antoine Magre’s Palanad 3.
That move has boosted hopes here that fellow French sailors will look to the Round Ireland as they return to racing at Cherbourg for next week’s Drheam Cup and seek to salvage a season shortened by coronavirus controls.