History

2023

84th edition

The skipper of Double You Team and his crew, in collaboration with the Sailing Squad, won at the end of an exhilarating final with 18 minutes and 30 seconds ahead of the M2 Swiss Medical Network catamaran. After his victories acquired in 2018 and 2022, Christian Wahl definitively wins the Bol d’Or Trophy. The Hungarian Libera Raffica won the Bol de Vermeil, awarded to the first monohull.

Trophée du Bol d’Or

Après ses victoires acquises en 2018 et 2022 Christian Wahl remporte définitivement le Trophée du Bol d’Or.

2022

Beautiful 83rd edition

In light conditions, Christian Wahl, skipper of the Décision 35 w-team, enters the legend of the race with his record of 8 victories; he is now the most successful sailor in the history of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud.
Among the monohulls, the Libera Raffica definitively won the Bol de Vermeil for the third time.

Huit

Christian Wahl, skipper du Décision 35 w-team remporte les Bol d'Or pour la huitième fois.

2021

A long and sunny 82nd edition

The main information from this BOM21 is that it took place! The pandemic further handicaps Switzerland when the Organizing Committee announces the continuation of the 82nd edition. He therefore turned towards a return to basics: the race, on its classic course, but no events on land. Jean Le Cam is the godfather of publishing.

Under a blazing sun and in very light air, it was Bertrand Demole's TF35 Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier which won at 11:00 p.m., only a few seconds ahead of Zen Too and Art Explora. For their first BOM, the TF35s were hot - well behind their competitors at the start of the race, they finally flew two hours on the return to Geneva and overtook the Archimedeans. It was also the M2 Emineo which passed the Bouveret barge in the lead, at 5:00 p.m.!

In the monohulls, the Hungarians of Raffica won their second consecutive BOM, while the new Luthi Katana achieved a magnificent second place.

439

bateaux au départ de la 82e édition, une immense réussite pour le Comité d'organisation qui a dû organiser cette édition en pleine pandémie. Mesures restrictives et plan de protection sanitaire stricte n'ont pas freiné l'engouement des concurrents.

2020

The 2020 edition is canceled due to Coronavirus

Due to COVID-19, the BOM Organizing Committee took the decision to cancel the 2020 edition. After evaluating the different possibilities for maintaining or postponing the event, and in view of the health situation, the BOM Organizing Committee The organization had to come to terms with this obvious fact. In such conditions, there was no time for sailing and even less for celebrations. The objective of the Organizing Committee is to maintain the BOM as it has been designed to date and appreciated by competitors and the public: a large popular festival on and around the lake.

Annulation

Pour la première fois de son histoire depuis 1939, la régate est annulée.

2019

A Dantesque storm for a memorable 81st edition

Météo Suisse had predicted it and the organization had called for vigilance: a serious blow hit the Bol d'Or Mirabaud fleet in the big lake around 5:00 p.m. The sky fell on the heads of the competitors in this 81st edition, with winds peaking at 60 knots, hail, zero visibility and huge waves. Despite numerous distress flares, several damages and some dismasting, all the competitors returned safely. They all demonstrated great seamanship in very rare conditions for Lake Geneva, many reaching a port or lowering their sails before the storm!

196 boats crossed the finish line, while 221 withdrawals, 37 out of time and 10 non-starters were announced. 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 in corrected time.

Bicentenaire

Une édition qui restera dans les annales, pour son orage d'anthologie qui marquera les 200 ans de son partenaire titre : Mirabaud.

2018

A well-celebrated anniversary edition

Décision 35 Mobimo (Christian Wahl) won the 80th edition of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud after more than 14 hours. The “wizard of Lake Geneva” made a fantastic comeback at the entrance to the Petit Lac, finishing in a close call 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 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning, after 5:30:57 p.m. After leading there and back, the Hungarian Libera Taxiphone Premium Raffica, skippered by Kiraly Zsolt, was beaten by TBS at the entrance to the Petit Lac.

Anniversaire

Une bande dessinée, une exposition photo sur les quais de Genève et la Neptune dans le port pour fêter le 80e

2017

An anthology BOM

An almost record edition in 2017! The wind blew hard on Saturday June 10, to the delight of the 567 participants. Among which 132 Surprise, the most represented class, won by Nicolas Mirabaud.

The sponsor of the 79th edition, Alan Roura, does us the honor of participating aboard a Diam 24. Alinghi wins the edition, the Bol de Vermeil goes to the Psaros 40 SYZ & CO while the record in the M2 category was beaten (TeamWork, 6h11'23'').

Vitesse

Record presque égalé ! Alinghi remporte le BOM17 en 5h11, soit 10’ de plus que le record établi par Triga IV

2016

Implantcentre Raffica definitely wins the 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, definitively won the Bol de Vermeil trophy, awarded to the winning crew three times in five years. The ACVL-SRS challenge goes to the Luthi F10 Triumvirat helmed by Yves Tournier. Another highlight of this edition: the victory of the small C1 Eagle 20XXL catamaran led by Robin Maeder and Félicien Ischer, winner of its category in 15 hours 28 minutes of racing.

Première

Le Bol d’Or Mirabaud s’ouvre aux petits catamarans de sport de 18 à 21 pieds (type C1)

2015

Calm, smoke in the upper lake then calm on the way back: a real Bol d'Or Mirabaud as we like them!

Helmed by Sébastien Schneiter, 19 years old, Décision 35 Team Tilt won with an 18-second lead 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 wins the M2 ranking, while Oyster Funds is the first monohull to cross the finishing line, ahead of the Psaros 33 Raijin. The winner in corrected time (ACVL-SRS Trophy) is Ardizio Toitures.

19 ans :

l’âge de Sébastien Schneiter, plus jeune vainqueur du Bol d’Or Mirabaud

2014

A year of records!

A sporty and fast Bol d'Or Mirabaud, contested by a sustained wind, with peaks of more than 30 knots. The Monocoque, Grand-Surprise and Ventilo M2 records have fallen. After winning in light airs in 2010, it was Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard who won in the breeze on the Décision 35 Ladycat powered by Spindrift Racing. The Surprise Mirabaud 1 is the winner on corrected time. This was the edition not to be missed!

Records

Quatre nouveaux records ont été établis cette année : Décision 35, M2, monocoque, Grand Surprise.

2013

A westerly wind which rises punctually at 10:00 a.m., just for the departure, a fleet grouped under spinnaker until Evian.

Light airs then which allow the Ventilo Zenith Fresh of Jean-Philippe Bucher, helmed by Christophe Péclard, to take the lead at Bouveret, a place which he will brilliantly defend on the return against the armada of D35s who must admit defeat during this 75th edition. Sufficiently strong air on Sunday to allow the majority of competitors to finish well. The Bol de Vermeil goes to the Hungarian Libera Raffica and the ACVL-SRS Trophy goes to the Luthi 38.2 Canopus 3, by Philippe Mathey.

Zenith Fresh

Première victoire d’un Ventilo M1

2012

A soft start, even very soft. A westerly wind is predicted and is expected.

From the start, the D35 Realstone escapes to the Swiss coast. Only De Rahm takes the same train but the young people of the CER, brilliantly led by Jérôme Clerc, control the situation from start to finish and impose themselves in front of the tenors of the series! A scenario very comparable to 2010. The Bol de Vermeil returns to the Hungarian Libera Raffica.

Première victoire d’un équipage composé exclusivement de jeunes.

2011

A start under spinnaker and in heavy rain.

Conditions generally quite windy due to the passage of a front, even very windy at Bouveret for the first. Alinghi victory for Ernesto Bertarelli, who succeeds his sister, winning his first victory in D35 in record time for this series of 6h 25' and 50''. Antonio Palma's Mirabaud 1, helmed by Cyrus Golchan, took first place in the most competitive class, the Surprise. The Bol de Vermeil returns to Syz & Co, helmed by Jean Psarofaghis.

6:25:50’

Nouveau record de la catégorie Décision 35 (Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli)

2010

Dona Bertarelli imposes herself in the air of young ladies

First victory for a predominantly female crew, skippered by a woman: Dona Bertarelli. The D35 Ladycat arrives at 2:49 a.m. on Sunday morning. The Ventilo M2 Safram, after having sailed at the forefront for a long time, finished on the podium, magnificent third behind the D35 Banque Populaire. 183 boats arrived before the closing. The Bol de Vermeil goes to the Psaros 40 Oyster Funds, from MM. Delaye / Boaron.

Première victoire d'un équipage majoritairement féminin

2009

A record....slowness.

The first to arrive, the D35 Foncia helmed by Alain Gautier and Michel Desjoyeaux, crossed the finish line at 5:33 a.m. on Sunday, at daybreak. The first had lost the habit of spending the night on their boat! Only 64 boats reached the finish at the SNG and 62 were classified on the basis of their passage at Bouveret. Taillevent, by Nicolas Engel, wins his third Bol de Vermeil.

19:33:26

Record de lenteur en Décision 35 (Foncia, Alain Gautier. Seuls 64 voiliers ont rejoint la ligne d’arrivée. 10h00 la nouvelle heure officielle de départ

2008

Franck Cammas gets everyone in agreement

Victory for the D35 "Zebra 7 - Girard-Perregaux", helmed by Frank Cammas, followed by a surprising Ventilo M2, "Parmigiani", helmed by Michel Vaucher. Bol de Vermeil won by Oyster Funds of MM. Delaye / Boaron.

2ème:

Meilleur résultat d’un catamaran M2 (Parmigiani, Michel Vaucher)

2007

Loïck Peyron, new king of Lake Geneva

Inauguration of a second starting line for multihulls, with a clearance buoy to impose on the latter a course of identical length to that of the monohulls. Scratch victory for the D35 Okalys, skippered by Loïck Peyron. Jean Psarofaghis wins the Bol de Vermeil at the helm of Syz & Co.

Mirabaud devient le sponsor-titre du Bol d'Or Mirabaud

2006

Russell Coutts, a victory that makes waves

Then three-time winner of the America’s Cup Russell Coutts won the Bol d’Or at the helm of “Banque Gonet”. A victory that made waves, Coutts then being entangled in a painful conflict with Alinghi. Tilt, by Alex Schneiter and Patrick Firmenich, definitively won the Bol de Vermeil after his victories in 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Bol de Vermeil

attribué à Tilt (Alex Schneiter, Patrick Firmenich). 34 multicoques de course au départ, qui partagent ainsi pour la dernière fois la même ligne que les monocoques

2005

Loïck Peyron wins in light airs, in 16h29’

The D35 Okalys, helmed by Loïck Peyron, won the Bol d’Or in 16h29’. First participation of the Ventilo M2 catamaran fleet, which has just been born. The Psaros 40 Oyster Funds of MM. Delaye / Boaron wins the Bol de Vermeil.

Début du partenariat avec Mirabaud

2004

First participation and first victory of a Décision 35 catamaran

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

Première participation d’un catamaran Décision 35

2003

Fourth consecutive victory for Alinghi “Le Black”

Fourth consecutive victory for Alinghi “The Black”, a few months after Alinghi’s victory in the America’s Cup in Auckland. Thanks to this success, Alinghi finds itself tied for victories with Happycalopse and Ylliam IV (last victory in 1966); all three are the second most successful sailboats in the history of the Bol d'Or behind the 8 m JI Glana (later named Marie-José II) and its eight victories. The fleet of large Lake Geneva multihulls, dominated by Ernesto Bertarelli, was decimated by a terrible bout of tobacco, and is now moribund. Taillevent, by Nicolas Engel, is the first monohull to cross the finish line.

2001

Alinghi's third victory in five years

Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi definitively won the third Bol d'Or challenge following its victories in 1997 and 2000. Taillevent, helmed by Nicolas Engel, won the Bol de Vermeil.

Challenge Bol d’Or remporté par Alinghi (Ernesto Bertarelli)

2000

First victory for Alinghi “The Black”

Designed by Sébastien Schmidt, this catamaran was considered the most powerful multihull in the world.

Bol de Vermeil won by Multilink-Relance, by Pascal Desplands.

11:24:32

Record de la catégorie Grand Surprise (Wahoo, François Séchaud)

1999

Happycalopse's fourth victory

Helmed by Philippe Cardis, the famous trimaran, designed by the American Gino Morelli and brought up to date over the years, won in 10h 52' 04''.

Willy Sauter's Libera BMS wins the Bol de Vermeil.

1998

The Bol de Vermeil is awarded for the first time

Awarded to the monohull which will win the Bol d'Or three times in five years, the Bol de Vermeil is won by the Italian Libera Raffica, of Mr. Valerio, already winner in 1996 and 1997. Ylliam, of Pierre-Yves Firmenich, wins the scratch victory.

1996

Victory for the Khamsin catamaran, by Alain Golaz, helmed by Pierre Bonjour

First start of the Bol de Vermeil Challenge, which rewards the first monohull to cross the finish line. As with the Bol d’Or Challenge, it must be won three times in five years to be permanently retained.

Première mise en jeu du Bol de Vermeil, remporté par Raffica.

1995

The Happycalopse trimaran wins in 15h12’ 24’’

Credit Suisse becomes the first title partner of the Bol d’Or; it will remain so until 1999.

1994

A historic record

Powerful kiss, multihull and Blue Ribbon record beaten by Peter Leuenberger's Triga IV in 5h01'51'. Ernesto Bertarelli is competing in his first Bol d'Or aboard a competitive multihull, Charles Pictet's ex-Poseidon (purchased for 1 franc against the guarantee that it sails competitively). He crossed the finish line in third place, in an uncomfortable position...

Monohull record beaten by Beat Siegfried's Modulo 108 Corum in 8h45'40.
More than 600 boats registered for the regatta.

5:01:51

Nouveau record absolu (Triga IV, Peter Leuenberger)

1993

Victory for Pierre-Yves Firmenich aboard the trimaran Ylliam

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

Photo: © Gilles Favez

6:19:11

Le nouveau temps de référence (Ylliam, Pierre-Yves Firmenich)

1992

Seventh victory for Philippe Stern

Stern is, with Philippe Durr, the most successful sailor in the history of the Bol d'Or, with seven victories. Its catamaran, Altair XII, sports a standard rig on this occasion, its famous wing mast having been destroyed during the previous edition. Participation by Eric Tabarly.

1991

First participation of a sailboat equipped with a wing mast, the Altair XII catamaran by Philippe Stern.

The rigging was destroyed during a terrible gale. Happycalopse wins for the second year in a row.

1990

Participation record broken, with no less than 684 competitors registered.

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

Apparition des gennackers sur les grands multicoques lémaniques

1989

Dennis Conner and his revolutionary catamaran Stars and Stripes – with which he has just won the America’s Cup – cross the finish line in the lead.

However, they are not classified, the sailboat being too large compared to the Lake Geneva gauge. Victory went to the catamaran Le Matin, skippered by Edouard Kessi and Gérard Gautier. Official starter of the Bol d’Or since the first edition in 1939, Vincent Varesio is officiating for the last time!

6h 57’ 33’’

Nouveau temps de référence établi par Le Matin (Edouard Kessi, Gérard Gautier)

1987

The milestone of 500 registered sailboats has been reached.

So-called “popular” browsers are now in the majority; Sailing as a sport continues its democratization.

Photo: © Gilles Favez

500

concurrents

1986

New speed record in less than eight hours and third consecutive victory for Altaïr XI

Troisième victoire

consécutive d’Altaïr XI.

1985

Philippe Stern's Altaïr XI improves his race time with 8h37'14''.

On this occasion, the catamaran sports a composite rigging as a world first.

8:37:14

Record battu par Altaïr XI.

1984

Altaïr XI, Philippe Stern's catamaran definitively wins the second Bol d'Or challenge with a new victory in 9h24'20''.

Première victoire d’un catamaran

1983

Victory for a foiler and triumph for a ladder dinghy.

The Holy Smoke trimaran, by Albert Schiess, won thanks to daggerboards equipped with foils which allowed it to take off in the Morget and set sail. The OPNI - Unidentified Hovering Object - leaves a lasting impression and crosses the Bouveret mark in the lead.

Première victoire d’un voilier doté de foils

1982

The Altaïr X trimaran won by beating the record set 26 years earlier, in 1956, by the 6mJI Ylliam IX.

Monohulls are now relegated to the background.

Nouveau record de vitesse par Altaïr X de Philippe Stern

8h40’01’’

1981

Zoé, the last victory of a monohull

Fernand Isabella's Amethyst Zoé wins against an ever-increasing number of multihulls.

Dernière victoire d’un monocoque

1980

Philippe Stern's Altaïr IX trimaran won victory in 15h27'06'' after having tamed a gale of rare violence, during which the 6m JI Valentina sank steeply off the coast of Evian.

André Mercier draws one of his famous Bol d'Or cards, which have become legendary, as he did every year until 1983. His drawing immortalizes the tobacco stroke!

Copyright: Musée du Léman

Première victoire d’un multicoque

1979

End of reign for the Toucans

Victory for Amethyst Zoé, by Fernand Isabella, which puts an end to the domination of the Toucans, winners of the eight previous editions

Participation du premier multicoque de course, l'Oiseau Roc de Pierre Muskens

1978

King John's first victory!

1976

Victory of the Toucan Sansnom by Hubert Breitenmoser

First participation of a Surprise one-design, the most numerous and competitive class today (more than 100 boats at the start these days).

Première participation d'un monotype Surprise

1973

Victory for the Toucan Sansouci, 6h20' ahead of the second: the absolute record in this area.

6h20’

L’avance du vainqueur sur le second

1972

Participation increases by 21%, with no less than 390 sailboats on the starting line. Victory for Toucan Samaoui of Daniel Girardet.

390

concurrents

1971

200 boats registered. First victory of a Toucan

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

Première victoire d’un Toucan

1970

First victory for a foreign sailor, the Swede Arne Tengblad aboard the 75m2 Swedish Margot II.

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

1969

Eighth and final victory for the 8m JI Marie-José II, the most successful sailboat in the history of the Bol d’Or.

1967

Victory of the 6mJI Vega IV

which had already won… 23 years earlier and which holds the longevity record for a Bol d’Or winning sailboat. Claude Bourquin and Michel Nerbolier cross the halfway mark in the lead aboard their catamaran Tornado. They completed the first non-stop tour of the lake in a multihull. They finished fourth but were not classified by the Race Committee at the time.

Premier tour du Léman sans escale en multicoque

1966

First participation of a catamaran

Charles Pictet's Shark, conducted in two shifts (Charles and Bénédict Pictet to Bouveret, Bernard Bourquin and François Devaud on the return journey). The sailboat crosses the finish line but is not classified. Victory for the 6m JI Sylphe.

Première participation d’un catamaran

1965

Death of André Firmenich and (temporary) end of the long line of Ylliams (eleven sailboats).

Seconde victoire consécutive du 6 m JI Diane.

1963

Horace Julliard definitively wins the first Bol d’Or challenge with Marie-José II, helmed by Henri Copponex

Henri Copponex is also the first Swiss coxswain to win an Olympic medal (Rome Olympic Games, 1960).

1962

Le 8 m JI Marie-José II, propriété de Horace Julliard, remporte sa cinquième victoire, devant le surprenant 6,50 Nausicaa d’André Mercier.

31:54:49

Record de lenteur! Marie-José II, Horace Julliard

1956

First race in less than twelve hours, by Ylliam IX, by André Firmenich helmed by Louis Noverraz in 11:04:57.

The 5.5 m JI l’Insoumise sank shortly after the start.

11:04:57

nouveau temps de référence, qui tiendra jusqu’en 1982!

1953

Victory of Ylliam VII, by André Firmenich, helmed by the legendary Louis Noverraz

Première participation d’un catamaran (qui ne termine pas la course)

1950

50 registered participants.

1949

The Société Nautique de Genève succeeds the Yacht Club de Genève, and organizes the Bol d’Or for the first time.

First victory of an 8mJI, Glana by Henri Guisan, son of General Guisan, in 21h17'30''.

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

Première victoire du voilier Glana, qui en remportera huit!

1944

First victory for a woman, Riquette Thévand, aboard Vega.

We would have to wait until 2010 to once again witness the victory of a woman, Dona Bertarelli.

1940

Madame Madeleine Bigar replaces her husband Pierre, mobilized by the war, at the helm of Borée II.

1939

First edition under the name of the Tour du Lac des Faces Pâles

26 participants in this race, created by Pierre Bonnet. Ylliam IV, by Fred Firmenich, helmed by the great talent of the time Louis Noverraz, won.

23h08’34’’

premier temps de référence du Bol d’Or, établi par Ylliam IV de Fred Firmenich