Geneva, October 18, 2007 – The Décision 35 catamarans Smart Home and Julius Baer have beaten the thirteen years old record of the Bol d’Or course, between Geneva and le Bouveret (and back). This prestigious record is called the Ruban Bleu.

Smart Home’s crew decided to start their record attempt this morning at 10:30 AM (Thursday October 18), soon after the arrival of the strong northerly breeze. Their goal was to benefit from a good angle whilst avoiding big waves when beating against the wind. Julius Baer started five minutes later whilst Cadence – another D 35 was already on her way since fifteen minutes.

Smart Home and Julius Baer sailed out of the “petit lac” in less than one hour. They both decided to cross the lake towards its northern bank; a longer route usually considered safer as more windy than the French coast. This choice proved to be right as Cadence got stuck alongside the French coast and had to give up.

Smart Home reached the half course mark after two hours and fifty minutes, a few boat lengths ahead of Julius Baer. “That’s when we knew we had lost the record”, commented Christian Michel, Smart Home’s owner. “They’ve sailed better than us and they deserve the record. But I am extremely pleased as this is my first season on a Decision 35.”

After rounding the mid-course mark, both crews knew that they had to accelerate on their way back to Geneva in order to beat the record; they also knew that the wind was going to be stronger and the angle more favorable.

Smart Home and Julius Baer sailed neck to neck from Le Bouveret to Geneva, surfing like mad and almost capsizing on several occasions. The show was extraordinary when they both arrived in sight of the arrival, under full main sail and big gennaker, sailing very close from the limit of the boats.

Smart Home was first over the arrival line, in 4 hours 57 ‘ 36’’ (four minutes better than the previous record). But Julius Baer crossed sixteen seconds later; having started five minutes later than Smart Home, Julius Baer is the new holder of the record.

"The arrival was amazing”, comments Michel. “It was really hot and we almost capsized several times.”

The man of the day is called Edouard Kessi. Crewmember on board Triga IV, he was also sailing onboard “Tilt”, who broke the monohull’s record last month. He sailed today on Julius Baer. As for Philippe Cardis, the owner and helmsman of the new record holder, he commented that he didn’t think the record was reachable for a Decision 35. “But last month, when Smart Home concluded an attempt in 5h 30’, it became clear that it was achievable.”