Why I sail a Super3
Actually, back in 2018, I wanted to continue to sail my Norlin Mark III.
The Finnish boatyard that had enjoyed a virtual monopoly had become bankrupt again and the 2.4 world had no producer. As I and others were convinced that "A class without a manufacturer will die." A finding that still applies today.
A joint attempt to secure the building moulds so that production could continue was unsuccessful.
To make matters worse, the Norlin license situation was so confusing at the time that no manufacturer wanted to take the risk under the existing conditions to start a building line. In order to stop the impending negative development, it was necessary to search for a manufacturer who builds boats already and now with the Norlin license rights clearly ceased the build would be simply a 2.4mR boat.
Then-President Steve Bullmore was asked to coordinate this. In order to implement it, it was a matter of attracting at least eight buyers to invest without which a new production could not be started.
As the chairman of the German NCA, which is the only NCA growing in the world, it was particularly important to me that this necessary international activity should begin. I joined the first order of a Super3.
My main requirement was strict adherence to the OD rules for rigging, sails and J dimensions. This was not only for economic reasons, but also ensured that an extreme hull shape within the meter formula would not happen. With the Super3, a boat was created that could operate in the front, in the middle and sometimes in the back of the fleet in international regattas. Since then about 30 boats have been delivered.
What I particularly like about the Super3 is the tough hull with the side tanks. Stiff boats are easier to trim and remain in the TOP range unchanged up to date.
On this occasion:
At the last major European regattas of the year in the Netherlands and in Belgium, the first 4 places were alternated with Stradivarius, Norlin, Sodergren and Super3 at the top of the results. This supported that the 2.4mR formula guarantees equal competitiveness between the different brands.
With this different mix of brands participating in regattas in Europe, it will again be possible to get larger international fields together in order to create the 2.4 class for newcomers to make attractive.
Friendly sailing with no one-way classespolitics and up-and-coming European exchange with each other support and with all existing boats of the 2.4mR class must be the cornerstones of growth in Europe.
I very much like the European initiative of EUROPEAN CIRCUIT - especially because with my Super3 I don't run the risk of being excluded there.
Ulli Libor GER 7
Chairman of the German 2.4mR Class Association 2017-2021
1968 and 1972 Olympic medalist in the Flying Dutchman
Thank you Ulli, for your informed opinion. I'm looking forward to the season with many 2.4mR regattas, with many different sailors and many different 2.4mR boat types!
This is a good and important explanation of why diversity is so important in our class. That's the only way it will continue to grow. However, the technical diversity must be kept within fixed limits in order to maintain equal opportunities. So it can go further up with the 2.4mR.