ALEGRE 3 72′ IRC Mini-Maxi

Aggressive IRC 72 combining extensive research and innovative solutions to create the next generation of Mini-Maxi.

The latest Alegre is an exciting development in the intense design race of the IMA Mini-Maxi fleet, perhaps the top level owner-driver racing on the planet. These 72’ IRC racers compete over inshore and coastal courses in a series of Mediterranean events such as the Copa Del Rey in Palma and the Rolex Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo. With a clean sheet of paper from the experienced owner Andy Soriano we were free to build on the success of our previous Alegre (now Caol Ila R) and implement a number of innovations we knew would advance Mini-Maxi design. Just as progressive as the design was the Design Team ethos which melded together many different specialists into a coherent whole.

Forming the core design team were Mark Mills of Mills Design Ltd., Valencia CFD and VPP specialist KND/Sailing Performance , raceboat engineering specialist Steve Koopman at SDK, North Sails designer Kevin George , and Project Manager and Boat Captain Olly Cameron. Other key players in the project included boatbuilder Longitud Cero, Southern Spars, winch specialist Jon Williams of Stay In Phase, Cariboni hydraulics, electronics from Diverse, and Greg Peck’s fairing and painting team. Every member played a role in the larger design development, helping validate and refine many of the new and unique ideas employed on Alegre, as discussed in the Seahorse Article, see link.

Every area was open to review, leading to some significant developments. Most obvious of these is the ramp deck, a continuous surface from cockpit floor to foredeck. This unbroken load path increases the stiffness of the boat, allows for much better crew movement and communication both fore-and-aft and transversely. The keel fin bolts to a keel tower internally to further maximise stiffness, to produce the lowest jib luff sag %. The primary winches were placed in the optimal location for the trimmers, on pods which incorporate the winch gears and shafting for maximum rigidity. The narrow sidedecks are optimised for most comfortable crew hiking and optimal transfer across the boat in a manoeuvre.

Thanks to Jesus Renedo for the use of his excellent images.