In 2024, the professional sailing team formerly known as Spindrift, now renamed Sails of Change, will return to compete with an expanded fleet of multihulls. This transformation marks a new chapter in the team’s long history of success and environmental commitment.
Duncan Späth, son of Dona Bertarelli, will assume the role of skipper of the TF35 Sails of Change 10. After three seasons as mainsail trimmer, Duncan inherits the sail number SUI10 from his mother, who helmed the legendary D35 Ladycat multihull for over a decade. This transition marks a family continuity in the world of competitive sailing.
Duncan has been actively involved in team activities from a young age, balancing sailing with his studies. His experience includes three world record attempts for the Jules Verne Trophy and victories in prestigious competitions such as the Transat Québec-Saint Malo and the Rolex Fastnet Race. Now, in addition to being skipper, Duncan works as a manager in sustainability management, taking on more responsibility within the team.
New challenges and young promise
Yann Guichard, Duncan’s stepfather and Olympic sailing champion, will lead a new challenge with the launch of Sails of Change 8. The team’s second TF35 flying catamaran, with sail number SUI8, will be piloted by a crew mainly composed of young sailors making their debut on the TF35 circuit.
Guichard, who finished a brilliant second in the 2023 TF35 circuit, is excited about the team’s potential for 2024. ‘With Duncan now at the helm of the second TF35, we look forward to expressing our full potential in the six events of 2024,’ he said.
Duncan Späth shares this ambition: ‘Remaining at the centre of what is a family and therefore very personal project gives me great motivation. We are working in the areas where we know we can still improve; that has been our goal since the beginning of the season.’
A commitment to nature
Sails of Change is not only a successful sailing team, but also an active promoter of environmental sustainability. Dona Bertarelli, Yann Guichard and their children are committed to raising awareness of the need to protect biodiversity. This vision underpins the activities of the Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy.
The foundation recently signed the Sports for Nature Framework, a joint initiative of the IUCN, IOC, UNEP and CBD to promote sports activities that contribute to the restoration and protection of biodiversity. Dona Bertarelli, defender of the oceans and fastest woman around the world, has always advocated the importance of a deep connection with nature.
A calendar full of events
The TF35 Trophy 2024 will see the two Sails of Change teams compete in a series of six events. It will start with the Nyon Cup on Lake Geneva from 24 to 26 May. The crews are preparing intensively for this season, which promises to be extremely competitive.
Sails of Change 8 (SUI8)
– Skipper and helmsman: Yann Guichard (FRA)
– Tactician: Noé Delpech (FRA)
– Mainsail trimmer: François Morvan (SUI)
– Headsail trimmer: Bruno Mourniac (FRA)
– Bowman: Adrien Mestre (FRA)
– Grinder: Solune Robert (FRA)
Sails of Change 10 (SUI10)
– Skipper and Helmsman: Duncan Späth (SUI)
– Tactician: Yann Jauvin (FRA)
– Mainsail trimmer: Xavier Revil (FRA)
– Headsail trimmer: Pieter Tack (BEL)
– Bowman: Jules Bidegaray (FRA)
– Grinder: Thibault Julien (FRA)
(Sails of Change, Duncan Späth picks up Dona Bertarelli’s legacy – barchemagazine.com – May 2024)
