Ran

UK based Niklas Zennstrom’s Rán, a 72-footer from the design board of the noted German-based naval architects Judel-Vrolijk, was launched in April last year. While conditions in 2009 Rolex Fastnet Race favoured the larger boats, Rán sailed an impressive race to win overall.

The crew of Rán is a veritable who’s who of international offshore yachtsmen including Volvo Ocean Race veterans Tim Powell (skipper) and Steven Hayles (navigator).  Following last year’s Rolex Fastnet Race Rán returned to the Mediterranean to win the Mini Maxi Division 00 of the Maxi World Rolex Cup in Sardinia in September, beating Neville Crichton’s RP71 Alfa Romeo 3.  In her debut Rolex Sydney Hobart last year, Ran won IRC Division 1 and placed 6th overall.

After staying in Sydney for the early part of 2010 and making modifications to the boat with the most notable a reduction in the weight of the bulb to improve the light wind performance, Ran returned to Europe via Antigua winning her class and the USA winning her class (Class 10 Gibbs Hill Division) in the Newport to Bermuda race.  She went on to win her division in the Copa Del Ray regatta in August and won the inaugural Mini Maxi World Championships in Sardinia.

Interviews with the crew of Ran:

Steve Hayles - 26 December 2010  

Niklas Zennstrom, Owner/Skipper - 21 December 2010

Protest decision - Race Commitee -v- Ran

Competitor Details