Half Ton Classics Cup 2025

In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup

Royal Yacht Club Nieuwpoort, 5 – 9 August ’24

Local knowledge – great talent

On Friday morning, the last racing day of the 2024 Half Ton Classics Cup, the committee cancelled the final short inshore as at sea the wind peaked over 30 knots, transforming the North Sea into a giant washing machine. So after the morning briefing all teams gathered around Tom Florizoone and his crew to congratulate the strong local team.

Red Cloud (a Joubert designed halftonner from 1980) is declared overall winner of an eventful In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup, the 14th since the revival edition of 2003 and the 5th in Nieuwpoort at the Royal Yacht Club Nieuwpoort.

Looking ahead

At the start of the 3^rd and last race on Wednesday team Red Cloud was seconds too soon over the line and as this coastal race was started under black flag after numerous general recalls, the team immediately sailed back to port considering their options.

After the race, the Belgians convinced the Jury to give a ‘redress’, however this was turned into a bigger penalty the morning after when the Jury reversed its decision into a more appropriate penalty. This mishap didn’t stop the Red Cloud crew from taking the lead at the start of the 35-mile long inshore sailed on Thursday. Tom Florizoone & team would not relinquish that leadership. The course led around six buoys in a wide bend around the sandbanks west of Nieuwpoort.

But the fluctuations in wind strength and direction didn’t make it any easier as the wind threatened to disrupt the stage (from 10 to 2 knots and then back to 20 knots and more). Finally the course was shortened.

Shortly after Red Cloud it was Secrets (Christopher Agar) finished in second place, determined to get the most out of these long battles between Ostend and the French border. Unfortunately due to the heavier handicap, she ended up in a tie for third place with the Norwegians on board The Evil (NOR 66666). Irish contender Harmony (John Swan) placed between the winner and this double third place.

Jacques Lemaire and his young crew kept Waverider up to speed all along Thursday’s long inshore and finished again as the best Vintage class halftonner.

Jeremy Florizoone: turning a problem into a solution

Engineer Jeremy Florizoone, son of team skipper Tom, not only helms Red Cloud, he is also the hub of the team driving this boat. Project management is his profession, finding solutions for complex processes.

Jeremy Florizoone: “The boat is from 1980 and is in excellent condition, although technically we can’t match some of the foreign top boats. But it’s the team that took us to victory. We know each other for years. We sometimes sail together, sometimes on other boats. I know their abilities and I know that they give everything. Some of us also sail regularly J/80 on a high level and travel to all the major international championships for that. I also sail European and World Championships myself. That experience comes in handy here, especially at the start. Of course, a good start is of enormous importance as is the knowledge of the local currents. That’s a huge advantage that we have.”

Honorary Award – Diversity Award – Winner’s Award

Tom Florizoone and team won more than just one trophy. Of course, he lifts the coveted Half Ton Classics Cup trophy as the overall winner. After his final speech Baudouin Meyhui, commodore of the KYCN, presented him with both a special award from Wind en Watersport Vlaanderen – Flemish sailing federation- for his enormous commitment to yachting far beyond Nieuwpoort as well as a well-merited large wooden crate with a giant bottle, the contents of which leaves nothing to the imagination.

That’s the spirit

The most important trophy, according to Bert Janssen of the Half Ton Class Europe, goes to the crew that most conveys the spirit of this exceptional class. This year the winner came from Boulogne-sur-Mer (France) with a production built and tomato red Super Arlequin from 1971, with the sweet name of Douce Folie II. They struggled to stay away from last place, were not discouraged because the finish was closed while they were still sailing and the skipper, Christan Ratel, gave an impassioned farewell speech.

Philippe Pilate, Chairman of the Half Ton Class Europe emphasized that women in sports deserve all the attention. For this Half Ton Classics Cup the Class not only facilitated an extra ranking for female teams (i.e. teams with 50% or more female sailors) won by the Georg Nissen designed A+, helmed by Ann Callens, they also invited an official Charity to join the event: Sailing For Think Pink and their commitment to raise funds for research into breast cancer.

The charity teamed up with the A+ team  for this occasion, but also is preparing a Belgian ‘all female’ boat for the next 2025 Fastnet Race. And last but not least the Class inaugurated a collaboration with enterprising women in yachting industry: Solène Saclier of Sailiz (technical sailing clothing exclusively for women) and Justine Robeets of Bleu Marine Dunkirk, shipyard, yachting dealer and retailer.

What’s next?

At the awards ceremony, Quokka skipper Peter Rutter announced that the next Half Ton Classics Cup will be hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club in early August 2025. The club promises “fine sailing waters, lots of sunshine, little current and waves and plenty of social events.”

In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup – Long Inshore Ranking

1: Red Cloud / Tom Florizoone / BEL 8500

2: Harmony / John Swan / IRL 1484

3: Secrets / Christopher Agar / GBR 5395

In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup – overall ranking after 7 races

1: Red Cloud / Tom Florizoone / BEL 8500 / 2.2 | 1.0 | (4.0) | 4.0 | 4.0 | (34.1) BFD | 1.5 = 12.7

2: King One / Espen Kamperhaug / NOR 18094 / (3.3) | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | (5.5) | 9.0 = 17

3: Harmony / John Swan / IRL 1484 / (12.1) TLE | 5.0 | (6.0) | 1.0 | 5.0 | A 3.3 | 3.0 = 17.3

Vintage class : Waverider / Jacques Lemaire / BEL 3486 /

Production boats:  Hullabaloo XV / David Evans / GBR 108 /

Female class: A+ / Ann Callens / BEL 5678

In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup 24

Event website

https://halftonclassicscup.com/

The day to day results:

https://www.manage2sail.com/en-BE/event/04e1e40a-fce9-4cca-ad44-6bc3563e92a8#!/results?classId=HTC –

Copyright Free Images In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup 24

Hi Res photos Long Inshore  https://photos.app.goo.gl/fvMPT8cP8rDB8yxe9

Hi Res photos day 4 windward leeward – short inshore https://photos.app.goo.gl/m4zR8i4cSsaKJEAr8

Video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1262rB847-qvfeoy8GFcZhl6gqETObWqu

On Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@half.ton.class?_t=8ocrgHBUu6i&_r=1

On YouTube: https://youtube.com/@halftonclasstv9728?si=arhSJ7cq3iIDTXsw

Only for publication with editorial pieces about the Half Ton Classics Cup ® and/or the Half Ton Classics Class Europe ® and non-commercial context.

Photos by Pit De Jonge

With barely 7 knots of wind, the first round of the In Advance Half Ton Classics Cup 24 got underway. The ‘windward-leeward’ track was located east of the port entrance.

The time to reach the first windward mark, against strong current was too long. So this round was cancelled.

After waiting for more stable breeze, the fleet started in an 8 mile long ’round the cans’, a course along the fixed buoys along the North Sea coast in front of Nieuwpoort.

Windward duel

Local hero Tom Florizoone immediately took the lead with Red Cloud (BEL 8500) over a fleet that fanned out very quickly. Everyone looking for the best breeze and still avoiding the counter-current as much as possible..

With the advancing 2Farr (IRL 2296) the battle for first place was quickly settled, Robert O’ Leary forced the Nieuwpoort native into a windward duel, quickly fell off under Red Cloud and took the lead. The Irish only built up their lead from here on.

Cautious

When the course was shortened again, because the wind continued to decrease little by little, the 2Farr clocked in sight of the harbour channel of Nieuwpoort at 1h38min09sec, more than two minutes ahead of Red Cloud.

King One managed to make an impressive comeback. After having to return behind the starting line for an early start, Espen Kamperhaug managed to sail his King One (NOR 18094) to third place.

Not bad for a team that prefers to have a lot more wind.

The race control closed the line half an hour after the first boat had finished. Ten participants finished within the time limit.

Daily Ranking

1: 2Farr / IRL / Robert O’Leary

2: Red Cloud / BEL / Tom Florizoone

3: King One / NOR / Espen Kamperhaug

Histoire des Halfs – more than the complete history of this unique class – mentions King One, formerly known as King First – F 8094, as being a Berret designed Halftonner, built by Bénéteau in 1980.
The famous yacht builder invested in several series, King was one of the First Evolution series.

King One switched hands -and home waters- many times.

Even Olympic medalist Paul Elvström was at her helm in ’81. He dominated the Cup with 1 – 1 – 2 – 19 – 1.

The Irish years started in 1982 when King wasn’t selected for the la Rochelle Half Ton cup.

Recent owners like David Cullen, Patrick Boardman and David Kelly improved the boat and her equipment year after year.
In 2009 a Mark Mills keel was fitted.

After Boardman and his team won the Half Ton Classics Cup in Cowes in 2022, it was time to switch again. King One sails with the Norwegian number NOR 18094 with skipper Espen Kamperhaug.

More below…

Recent results

2024 – 1^st National Championship Norway

2023 – 3^rd Hankø Half Ton Classics Cup

2023 – 1^st National Championship Norway

King One crew

Espen Guttormsen – Eilert Kamfjord – Calle Andersen – Karl Otto Book – Petter Hagelund and Sindre Sørebø

Houston, we have a challnger to look out for.

Many thanks to Histore des Halfs

Let’s be fair: sailing isn’t that simple. The Half Ton Class Europe is quite aware of the complexity of the sport.
Challenging, no question about it, but complex nevertheless,

Again at the last day of this Half Ton Classic Cup more than one team will be awarded.

Here’s the prize list.

The Half Ton true spirit – more a matter of attitude than speed

The Half Ton Classics Cup Trophy – the over all winner

The Half Ton Classics and vintage trophy – the best performing Half Tonner in the most original state.

The Half Ton Corinthian Trophy – no pro zone

The Half Ton ladies trophy – harr.

The bets are on.

Half Ton owners and their crew are not only world famous for their sailing skills. It happens to be that they are keen DIY guys too. Sometimes it even starts when they are merely nine. Here is how Brice VILLION, owner and skipper of Cardiac Blues fell in love with the formula.  

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She’s a 1978 Berret Half Tonner, built in Kevlar/Epoxy, a new way of building boat in these years. She came out first with a mobile lest but was soon changed into a normal one.

She used to be my dad’s boat, he bought her around 1981. I was 9 years old at this time and I discovered sailing on Cardiac Blues with him, he learned me how to helm and years after years how to sail and all he knew about it. I really was in love with this boat and the sensations she gave me.

In 1989 my dad had to sell her because even if they were three co-owners, they couldn’t keep her. That was heart breaking for me and I swore to myself  “when I grow up I will find her and get her back in the family !!”

I had to wait until 2011!

I was surfing on the net and came to visit the Histoire des Halfs website. So I checked the Cardiac Blues file and found she was on sale! Excitement, heart beating fast, dream becoming true… it took at least 6 months before I reached the owner, another 6 months before I could sign the selling agreement, because he was overseas most part of the year.

I was flying!! So happy !!

I took my time to rebuilt her.
First because I never thought about how I could pay for a refit, secondly because I discover she needed a big one and finally because I did it depending on time and money I could involve in this refit.

Ten years later she was back into the water, the same ones I saw her the last time, in La Trinité-sur-mer, Baie de Quiberon, Bretagne.

Since then, the dream continues: I organised a crew around friends, we sail every race we can and I finally get to participate in the HTCC, which I raced in 2003 with my dad on his second Half  Toner called Diablesse.

This is the accomplishment of a kid’s dream, I’m so happy and proud of that !

As the majority of the usual crew couldn’t come to Nieuwpoort, I created with the help of Marc Strickman a French/Belgian crew for the HTCC, with local and experimented sailors.

I hope to learn as much as I can about Cardiac Blues and the way she needs to be managed. Those boats are very special and I’m sure I will enjoy the crew skills about Half Toners !!

Editor: we’re looking forward to meet Brice, his crew and have a closer look at Cardiac Blues.