Every year, the Amel shipyard invites its owners to get together for a friendly get-together. It's an opportunity to forge links between yachtsmen and to maintain privileged contact with the shipyard. For 2023, Amel yachts gathered in Porquerolles. No fewer than 12 models were moored at the dock on this sunny island.
The latest models in the spotlight
The majority of the yachts present represented the yard's latest models. There were 3 Amel 50s and 5 Amel 60s. Three Amel 55s and an Amel 64, older and still ketch-rigged, completed this attractive fleet. On the transoms flew flags of many nationalities: German, American, English and also French. Exchanges between the boats take place in all languages!
The Amel Cup Med is not a regatta. Indeed, these yachts are not designed to race between 3 buoys. Nevertheless, for 3 days, courses were laid out around Porquerolles, and the determination of each crew to do battle could be felt on the pontoon before the start.
Participation on an Amel 60
For the occasion, we boarded an Amel 60. Sailing on this type of unit requires a little acclimatization. In fact, almost everything on board is automatic. The helmsman, in this case the owner, pilots his yacht with his fingertips, thanks to his various joysticks. Here you furl the jib, here you adjust the mainsail traveler, there you trim the genoa...
All that's left for the crew to do is enjoy the ride, admiring all these beautiful boats gathered on a stretch of water as marvellous as ever.
Navigation and tasting
For this edition, the Amel Cup Med encountered light wind conditions on the first day, with fairly short courses to the north of the island. Fortunately, on Saturday, the day of the traditional circumnavigation of the island, the wind kicked in and the course was sailed from east to west, passing through the south of the island. Like good sailors, everyone was able to sail at their own pace, making the most of the fine weather.
But the Amel Cup Med is also a chance for crews and shipyards to get together, with evening events in some of the island's finest restaurants, and events such as a visit to the Courtade wine estate and wine tasting.
