History

2021

A LONG AND SUNNY 82ND EDITION

The main news from BOM21 is that it took place! The pandemic restrictions were still in force in Switzerland when the Organising Committee announced that the 82nd edition would happen. So, the event went back to basics running the race on its classic course, with no shore-based events. Jean Le Cam was godfather of this edition.

Under a blazing sun and in very light airs, Bertrand Demole's TF35 Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier won just a few seconds ahead of Zen Too and Art Explora, finishing at 23:00. For their first BOM, the TF35s were lightning fast - well behind their rivals at the start of the race and still behind at Le Bouveret barge where the M2 Emineo rounded in the lead at 17:00, they flew during the final two hours back to Geneva and overtook their arch-rivals.

In the monohulls, the Hungarian Raffica won a second consecutive BOM, while the new Luthi Katana took second place.

439

Boats at the start of the 82nd edition! A huge success for the Organising Committee, which had to organise the event in the middle of a pandemic. The strict measures did not dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors.

2020

2020 EDITION CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

Due to COVID-19, the BOM Organising Committee decided to cancel the 2020 edition. After evaluating various possibilities for maintaining or postponing the event, and in view of the health situation, the Organising Committee was forced to come to this conclusion. It was not a time for sailing and even less so for celebrating. The objective of the Organising Committee is to safeguard the essence of the BOM, a great popular festival on and around the lake, much loved by competitors and the public.

Cancellation

For the first time in its history since 1939, the regatta was cancelled.

2019

A DANTESQUE STORM FOR A MEMORABLE 81ST EDITION

Météo Suisse had predicted it and organisers had called for vigilance ahead of a major storm that swept over Lake Geneva and the Bol d'Or Mirabaud fleet at around 17:00. Competitors of the 81st edition saw gusts of 60 knots, hail, zero visibility and huge waves. Despite numerous distress flares, several incidents and a few dismastings, all the competitors returned safely. The fleet showed great seamanship in what were very rare conditions for Lake Geneva, many returned to port or dropped their sails before the storm.

196 boats crossed the finish line, while there were 221 withdrawals, 37 over the time limit and 10 non-starters. Ladycat Powered by Spindrift racing (Yann Guichard) won the Bol d’Or in real time, Raffica (Kiraly Szolz) the Bol de Vermeil and Matière Grise (Lionel Maret) the ACVL-SRS trophy on corrected time.

Bicentennial

An edition that will go down in history for the storm that marked the 200th anniversary of Mirabaud, the Bol d’Or’s title partner.

2018

AN 80TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION, WELL CELEBRATED

The Décision 35 Mobimo (Christian Wahl), won the 80th edition of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud after over 14 hours on the water. The ‘sorcerer of Lake Geneva’ made a fantastic comeback at the entrance to the Petit Lac to finish in front of Okalys Youth Project, helmed by the young Arnaud Grange with Loick Peyron on board.

The first monohull, TBS (François Thorens), crossed the finish line at 03:30 on Sunday morning, after 17h30’57’’. After leading from the start the Hungarian Libera Taxiphone Premium Raffica, skippered by Kiraly Zsolt, was overtaken by TBS at the entrance to the Petit Lac.

Birthday

A comic book, a photo exhibition on the quays of Geneva and La Neptune moored in the port to celebrate the 80th anniversary.

2017

A BOM TO REMEMBER!

A near record edition in 2017! The wind blew hard on Saturday 10 June, to the delight of the 567 participants. Among them were 132 Surprises, making up the largest class, which was won by Nicolas Mirabaud.

The godfather of the 79th edition, Alan Roura, did us the honour of participating on board a Diam 24. Alinghi won the edition, the Bol de Vermeil went to Psaros 40 SYZ & CO while the M2 record was broken by TeamWork in 6h11’23’’.

Speed

Record almost equalled! Alinghi wins the BOM17 in 5h11’, just 10’ over the record set by Triga IV.

2016

IMPLANTCENTRE RAFFICA WINS LE BOL DE VERMEIL

Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing, helmed by Xavier Revil, won the 78th Bol d’Or Mirabaud, ahead of Alinghi and Mobimo, while the Hungarian monohull Implantcentre Raffica, helmed by Kiraly Zsolt, won the Bol de Vermeil trophy, awarded to the crew that wins three times in five years. The ACVL-SRS challenge went to the Luthi F10 Triumvirat helmed by Yves Tournier. Another highlight of this edition: the victory of the small catamaran C1 Eagle 20XXL led by Robin Maeder and Félicien Ischer, winner of its category after 15h28’ of racing.

First

The Bol d'Or Mirabaud welcomes small sports catamarans from 18 to 21 feet (such as the C1)

2015

A STORM IN THE HAUT-LAC AND CALM CONDITIONS ALL THE WAY HOME: A BOL D’OR MIRABAUD JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT!

Helmed by 19-year-old Sébastien Schneiter, the Decision 35 Team Tilt won by 18 seconds over Alinghi and 1 minute 11 over Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing. He is the youngest helmsman in history to win the Bol d'Or. Team Seven won the M2 class, while Oyster Funds was the first monohull to cross the finish line, ahead of Psaros 33 Raijin. The winner on corrected time (ACVL-SRS Trophy) was Ardizio Toitures.

19 years old:

The age of Sébastien Schneiter, the youngest ever winner of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud.

2014

A YEAR OF RECORDS!

A fast Bol d'Or Mirabaud, raced in strong winds with gusts of over 30 knots. The Monohull, Grand Surprise and Ventilo M2 records were all broken. After winning in light airs in 2010, Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard won again on the Decision 35 Ladycat powered by Spindrift racing. The Surprise Mirabaud 1 won on corrected time. An unmissable edition!

Records

Four new records were set: Decision 35, M2, Monohull and Grand Surprise.

2013

A WESTERLY WIND ARRIVED JUST ON TIME FOR THE START AT 10:00, AND THE FLEET SAILED UNDER SPINNAKER AS FAR AS EVIAN

Light airs saw Jean-Philippe Bucher's Ventilo Zenith Fresh, skippered by Christophe Péclard, take the lead in Le Bouveret, a position that he defended brilliantly on the return leg against an armada of D35s who eventually admitted defeat in this 75th edition. The wind was strong enough on Sunday for most of the competitors to finish. The Bol de Vermeil went to the Hungarian Libera Raffica and the ACVL-SRS Trophy to Philippe Mathey's Luthi 38.2 Canopus 3.

Zenith Fresh

First victory for a Ventilo M1.

2012

A VERY SLOW START – THE WESTERLY THAT KEPT US WAITING

From the start, the D35 Realstone broke away along the Swiss side of the lake. Only De Rahm took the same route but the youngsters from the CER, brilliantly led by Jérôme Clerc, controlled the race from start to finish winning ahead of the event heavyweights! The Bol de Vermeil went to the Hungarian Libera Raffica.

First victory for an all-youth crew.

2011

A START UNDER SPINNAKER AND IN HEAVY RAIN

Conditions were generally quite windy as a front moved through, and very windy at Le Bouveret for the frontrunners. Victory went to Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi, following in his sister's footsteps and taking his first D35 win in 6h25'50” a record time for this category. Antonio Palma's Mirabaud 1, helmed by Cyrus Golchan, took first place in the hotly contested Surprise class. The Bol de Vermeil went to Syz & Co, helmed by Jean Psarofaghis.

6:25:50’

New record for the Decision 35 category (Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli)

2010

DONA BERTARELLI MAKES HER MARK

First victory for a predominantly female crew, skippered by Dona Bertarelli. The D35 Ladycat crossed the finish line at 02:49 on Sunday morning. The Ventilo M2 Safram, having led for a long time finished third behind the D35 Banque Populaire. 183 boats managed to finish before the cut off. The Bol de Vermeil went to the Psaros 40 Oyster Funds, owned by Messrs Delaye / Boaron.

First victory for a predominantly female crew.

2009

RECORD....SLOWNESS

The first to arrive, the D35 Foncia helmed by Alain Gautier and Michel Desjoyeaux, crossed the finish line at 05:33 on Sunday, at daybreak. The leaders of this race don’t usually spend the night on their boat! Only 64 boats reached the finish at the SNG, and 62 were ranked based on their passage to Le Bouveret. Taillevent, owned by Nicolas Engel, won his third Bol de Vermeil.

19:33:26

Slowest time on a Decision 35 (Foncia, Alain Gautier). Only 64 boats reached the finish line. 10:00 is the new official start time.

2008

FRANCK CAMMAS TAKES THE VICTORY

D35 Zebra 7-Girard-Perregaux, helmed by Frank Cammas, takes the victory followed by the Ventilo M2, Parmigiani, helmed by Michel Vaucher. The Bol de Vermeil was won by Oyster Funds owned by Messrs Delaye / Boaron.

2nd:

Best result for an M2 catamaran (Parmigiani, Michel Vaucher).

2007

LOÏCK PEYRON, NEW KING OF LAKE GENEVA

Inauguration of a second start line for the multihulls, with a rounding mark to give them the same length course as that of the monohulls. The D35 Okalys, skippered by Loïck Peyron, wins. Jean Psarofaghis wins the Bol de Vermeil at the helm of Syz & Co.

Mirabaud becomes the title sponsor of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud.

2006

RUSSELL COUTTS, A VICTORY THAT MAKES WAVES

Three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts won the Bol d'Or at the helm of Banque Gonet. A victory that made waves, as Coutts was embroiled in a painful conflict with Alinghi at the time. Alex Schneiter and Patrick Firmenich's Tilt won the Bol de Vermeil for good after winning in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Bol de Vermeil

Awarded to Tilt (Alex Schneiter, Patrick Firmenich). 34 racing multihulls at the start, sharing the same line as the monohulls for the last time.

2005

LOÏCK PEYRON WINS IN LIGHT AIRS, IN 16H29'

The D35 Okalys, helmed by Loïck Peyron, won the Bol d'Or in 16h29'. The new Ventilo M2 catamaran fleet joined the event for the first time. The Psaros 40 Oyster Funds owned by Messrs Delaye / Boaron won the Bol de Vermeil.

Start of partnership with Mirabaud.

2004

FIRST ENTRY AND FIRST VICTORY OF A DECISION 35 CATAMARAN

Team Red Zebra 5, helmed by Etienne David, won against seven other D35 one-design catamarans. Second victory in the Monohulls for Psaros 40 Tilt, helmed by Alex Schneiter and Patrick Firmenich.

First participation of a Decision 35 catamaran.

2003

FOURTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY FOR ALINGHI 'LE BLACK'

Fourth consecutive victory for Alinghi 'Le Black', a few months after Alinghi won the America's Cup in Auckland. This latest win puts Alinghi equal on victories with Happycalopse and Ylliam IV (last victory in 1966); all three are the second most successful yachts in the history of the Bol d'Or, behind the 8mJI Glana (later named Marie-José II) with eight victories. Nicolas Engel's Taillevent was the first monohull to cross the finish line.

2001

ALINGHI'S THIRD VICTORY IN FIVE YEARS

Alinghi, skippered by Ernesto Bertarelli, won a third Bol d'Or, securing the trophy for good following victories in 1997 and 2000. Taillevent, helmed by Nicolas Engel, won the Bol de Vermeil.

Bol d'Or Challenge won by Alinghi (Ernesto Bertarelli).

2000

FIRST VICTORY FOR ALINGHI 'LE BLACK'

Designed by Sébastien Schmidt, this catamaran was considered the most powerful multihull in the world. Bol de Vermeil won by Multilink-Relance, owned by Pascal Desplands.

11:24:32

Record for the Grand Surprise category (Wahoo, François Séchaud)

1999

HAPPYCALOPSE'S FOURTH VICTORY

Helmed by Philippe Cardis the famous trimaran, designed by the American Gino Morelli and updated over the years, won in 10h52'04''. Willy Sauter's Libera BMS won the Bol de Vermeil.

1998

THE BOL DE VERMEIL IS AWARDED FOR THE FIRST TIME

Awarded to the monohull that wins the Bol d'Or three times in five years, the Bol de Vermeil was presented to the Italian Libera Raffica, owned by M. Valerio, also a winner in 1996 and 1997. Ylliam, owned by Pierre-Yves Firmenich, won overall.

1996

CATAMARAN KHAMSIN, OWNED BY ALAIN GOLAZ AND HELMED BY PIERRE BONJOUR, WINS

The Bol de Vermeil Challenge, awarded to the first monohull to cross the finish line, was put into play for the first time. Like the Bol d'Or Challenge, it must be won three times in five years to be permanently retained.

First Bol de Vermeil, won by Raffica.

1995

HAPPYCALOPSE TRIMARAN WINS AFTER 15H12'24''

Credit Suisse becomes the first title partner of the Bol d'Or and remains so until 1999.

1994

AN ALL-TIME RECORD

A strong ‘bise’ saw the multihull record and Blue Ribbon broken by Peter Leuenberger's Triga IV in 5h01'51'. Ernesto Bertarelli raced his first Bol d'Or aboard Charles Pictet's ex-Poseidon, a competitive multihull bought for 1 franc in exchange for a guarantee that it would be sailed competitively. He crossed the finish line in third place.
Monohull record beaten by Beat Siegfried's Modulo 108 Corum in 8h45'40.
More than 600 boats registered for the regatta.

5:01:51

New event record (Triga IV, Peter Leuenberger)

1993

PIERRE-YVES FIRMENICH WINS WITH THE TRIMARAN YLLIAM

Thanks to a strong westerly, Pierre-Yves Firmenich and his team improved the record by 40 minutes.

Photo: © Gilles Favez

6:19:11

The new reference time (Ylliam, Pierre-Yves Firmenich)

1992

PHILIPPE STERN'S SEVENTH VICTORY

Stern, along with Philippe Durr, is the most successful sailor in the history of the Bol d'Or, with seven victories. His catamaran, Altair XII, sailed with a standard rig, its famous wing mast having been destroyed during the previous edition.
Eric Tabarly takes part.

1991

FIRST WING-MASTED YACHT TO COMPETE, PHILIPPE STERN'S CATAMARAN ALTAIR XII

The rig was destroyed in a terrible gust. Happycalopse wins for the second year in a row.

1990

RECORD PARTICIPATION WITH NO LESS THAN 684 COMPETITORS REGISTERED

A record that remains to be beaten! Victory for Marc-Edouard Landolt's Happycalopse trimaran, skippered by Philippe Cardis.

Gennakers make an appearance on large multihulls on Lake Geneva.

1989

DENNIS CONNER AND HIS REVOLUTIONARY CATAMARAN STARS AND STRIPES - WITH WHICH HE JUST WON THE AMERICA'S CUP - CROSS THE FINISH LINE FIRST

However, they were not ranked, as the boat was too big under Lake Geneva rules. Victory went to the catamaran Le Matin, skippered by Edouard Kessi and Gérard Gautier. Vincent Varesio, official Bol d'Or starter since the first edition in 1939, officiates for the last time!

6h 57’ 33’’

New reference time established by Le Matin (Edouard Kessi, Gérard Gautier).

1987

A MILESTONE IS PASSED WITH 500 REGISTERED YACHTS

'Amateur' sailors are now in the majority; sailing as a sport continues to become more democratic.

Photo: © Gilles Favez

500

Competitors.

1986

NEW SUB-EIGHT HOUR SPEED RECORD AND THIRD CONSECUTIVE VICTORY FOR ALTAÏR XI

Third victory

of Altair XI.

1985

PHILIPPE STERN ONBOARD ALTAÏR XI IMPROVES HIS RACE TIME WITH 8H37'14''

The catamaran was fitted with a composite rig – a world first.

8:37:14

Record broken by Altaïr XI.

1984

PHILIPPE STERN'S CATAMARAN ALTAÏR XI WINS A SECOND BOL D'OR CHALLENGE WITH A NEW VICTORY IN 9H24'20''

First victory for a catamaran

1983

VICTORY FOR A FOILER

The trimaran Holy Smoke, owned by Albert Schiess, won thanks to daggerboards equipped with foils. The ‘Unidentified Planing Object’ made its mark and rounded the Le Bouveret mark in the lead.

First victory for a boat equipped with foils.

1982

THE TRIMARAN ALTAÏR X WINS, BREAKING 26-YEAR-OLD RECORD SET IN 1956 BY THE 6MJI YLLIAM IX

The monohulls are now relegated to the background.

New speed record by Philippe Stern's Altaïr X

8h40’01’’

1981

ZOÉ, THE LAST VICTORY OF A MONOHULL

Fernand Isabella's Améthyste Zoé won against a growing number of multihulls.

Last victory for a monohull.

1980

PHILIPPE STERN'S TRIMARAN ALTAÏR IX WON IN 15H27'06'' AFTER SURVIVING A GALE DURING WHICH THE 6MJI VALENTINA SANK OFF EVIAN

André Mercier drew one of his famous Bol d'Or maps, which have become legendary, and as he did every year until 1983. His drawing immortalises the storm!

Copyright: Musée du Léman

First victory for a multihull.

1979

END OF THE TOUCANS’ REIGN

Fernand Isabella's Améthyste Zoé wins, putting an end to the domination of the Toucans, winners of the previous eight editions.

Participation of the first racing multihull, Pierre Muskens' Oiseau Roc.

1978

KING JEAN'S FIRST VICTORY!

1976

Hubert BREITENMOSER TAKES VICTORY WITH HIS TOUCAN SANSNOM

First participation of a Surprise one-design, the biggest and most contested class today (more than 100 boats at the start nowadays).

First participation of a Surprise one-design.

1973

TOUCAN SANSOUCI WINS, WITH A RECORD 6H20' LEAD OVER THE RUNNER-UP

6h20’

The winner's lead over the runner-up.

1972

PARTICIPATION INCREASES BY 21%, WITH NO LESS THAN 390 YACHTS ON THE START LINE. DANIEL GIRARDET'S TOUCAN SAMAOUI WINS

390

Competitors.

1971

200 BOATS REGISTERED. FIRST VICTORY FOR A TOUCAN

Marcel Stern's Toucan XI wins. Photographed here during the Eynard Cruise, Marcel Stern always took a hen on board to have fresh eggs! The Toucans went on to win the next seven editions of the Bol d'Or.

First victory for a Toucan.

1970

FIRST VICTORY FOR A FOREIGN SAILOR, SWEDE ARNE TENGBLAD WINS WITH 75M2 MARGOT II

On the start line, in the pouring rain, the 6.5m have the advantage!

1969

EIGHTH AND FINAL VICTORY FOR THE 8MJI MARIE-JOSÉ II, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL YACHT IN THE HISTORY OF THE BOL D'OR

1967

6MJI VEGA IV VICTORY

Vega IV had already won 23 years earlier and holds the record as the oldest winning yacht in the Bol d'Or. Claude Bourquin and Michel Nerbolier crossed the halfway mark in the lead aboard their catamaran Tornado. They achieved the first non-stop tour of the lake in a multihull, finishing fourth, but were not ranked by the Race Committee at the time.

First non-stop tour of Lake Geneva in a multihull.

1966

A CATAMARAN PARTICIPATES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Charles Pictet's Shark, sailed with two separate watches (Charles and Bénédict Pictet to Le Bouveret, and Bernard Bourquin and François Devaud back to Geneva). The boat crossed the finish line but was not ranked. The 6mJI Sylphe won the event.

First participation of a catamaran.

1965

ANDRÉ FIRMENICH DIES ENDING (TEMPORARILY) A LONG LINE OF YLLIAM YACHTS (11)

Second consecutive victory for the 6mJI Diane.

1963

HORACE JULLIARD WINS THE FIRST BOL D'OR CHALLENGE WITH MARIE-JOSÉ II, HELMED BY HENRI COPPONEX

Henri Copponex was also the first Swiss helmsman to win an Olympic medal (Rome Olympics, 1960).

1962

THE 8MJI MARIE-JOSÉ II, OWNED BY HORACE JULLIARD, TAKES A FIFTH VICTORY, AHEAD OF THE SURPRISING 6.50 NAUSICAA OWNED BY ANDRÉ MERCIER

31:54:49

Slowest time on record! Marie-José II, Horace Julliard.

1956

FIRST RACE COMPLETED IN LESS THAN TWELVE HOURS BY ANDRÉ FIRMENICH ONBOARD YLLIAM IX, HELMED BY LOUIS NOVERRAZ IN 11H04'57''

The 5.5mJI l'Insoumise sank shortly after the start.

11:04:57

New reference time, which will last until 1982!

1953

YLLIAM VII, OWNED BY ANDRÉ FIRMENICH, HELMED BY THE LEGENDARY LOUIS NOVERRAZ WINS

First participation of a catamaran (which did not finish the race).

1950

50 REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS

First race completed in less than twenty hours by Henri Guisan onboard the 8mJI Glana, in 16h25'45''.

Photo: © Gilles Favez

1949

THE SOCIÉTÉ NAUTIQUE DE GENÈVE SUCCEEDS THE YACHT CLUB DE GENÈVE AND ORGANISES THE BOL D'OR FOR THE FIRST TIME

Henri Guisan, son of General Guisan, achieves his first victory with the 8mJI Glana in 21h17'30''.

The Geneva Yacht Club is not the one we know today, it is a descendant of the Société d'Encouragement à la Navigation de Plaisance.

First victory for Glana, which will win eight more titles!

1944

FIRST VICTORY FOR A WOMAN, RIQUETTE THÉVAND, ON BOARD VEGA

It was not until 2010 that a woman, Dona Bertarelli, won again.

1940

MADAME MADELEINE BIGAR REPLACED HER HUSBAND PIERRE AT THE HELM OF BORÉE II WHEN HE WAS CALLED UP FOR THE WAR

1939

FIRST EDITION UNDER THE NAME OF THE TOUR DU LAC DES FACES PÂLES

There were 26 participants for the inaugural race, created by Pierre Bonnet. Ylliam IV, owned by Fred Firmenich and helmed by the great talent of the time, Louis Noverraz, won.

23h08’34’’

First Bol d’Or reference time, set by Fred Firmenich onboard Ylliam IV