Fujin Rocks the Heineken

While they didn’t get much recognition from the official press, a big congratulations is due Greg Slyngstad and crew of the Seattle-based Bieker 53 catamaran Fujin. We’ll let Greg explain why:

“Just finished the last race of the Heineken Regatta. We ended with 1, 1, 4, 1 for first place in the Offshore Multihull class. In the third race, our halyard release line broke, so we had to sail a half mile past the leeward mark before we got our kite down. Awesome crew work and great conditions all regatta.

“We made it around the island in 2 hours, 17 seconds, which was 10 minutes faster than the monohull record. We have some great video which we’ll post in a couple days.”

It’s true that Fujin was tied with the new Morrelli-Melvin 66 R Six, but easily won on the tie-breaker of having three first-place finishes. Fujin also bested three Gunboat 60s.

By the way, the around-St. Martin monohull record was set this year by the Volvo 70 SFS, giving you an idea of Fujin’s speed.

Congratulations to Greg, who had the balls to commission a most unusual design, and who has had to endure a dismasting and several regattas where the light wind was not suited to his cat. Next up for Greg and Fujin? The Voiles de St. Barth and, in July, the Los Angeles-to-Hawaii Transpac.