This Route Halifax-St Pierre will be the first big adventure for Ann Acland’s new ANTICIPATION, an Archambault 31. This smaller version of the renowned A35 and A40, has only been in production for a year and is performing exceptionally well in Europe and Australia. This will be the first A31 to be raced in the Americas.

Since ANTICIPATION's delivery date is scheduled after the press deadline, these photos are of a sistership.

After a test sail last summer in 35(+) knots of wind I knew the A31 could go offshore in pretty much any condition. The idea of racing her to St Pierre was then hatched.

This being my 15th offshore race as skipper, or crew, it is time to attempt a double-handed entry. -Reserving the right to change our minds if my nerve gives way, or we don’t get enough practice time in between now and July.

Guillaume Poirier (YC St Pierre, FRA) and I (RNSYS, CAN) have won this race, as crew, and managed to come in second 3 consecutive times! Adding in the last Marblehead-Halifax Race, Guillaume and I have covered a lot of enjoyable ocean miles together.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that this edition will be hot, sunny and the wind never drops below 10 knots!

A31 Specifications

• Length Overall: 9.55 m / 31.33'
• Beam: 3.23 m / 10.60'
• Draft: 1.90 m / 6.23'
• Displacement: 3,050 kg / 6,724 lb
• Sail Area (Upwind): 50 m² / 538 ft²
• Sail Area (Downwind): 102 m² / 1098 ft²
• Auxiliary Power: 10.4 kW / 14 hp Diesel

More details: www.archambault-boats.ca

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