The Bol d’Or Mirabaud, the world’s biggest inland regatta, was founded in 1939 by Pierre Bonnet. At the first event, twenty-six crews lined up for the start. By 1987, not long before the event’s 50th anniversary, the milestone of 500 entries was reached. In 2018, more than 500 boats and 3,000 crew members participated in the 80th edition of this prestigious sailing regatta.
This year Hublot, partner and official timekeeper of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud for the sixth year running, invited some privileged guests on board two boats, to experience the race in person. With Geneva’s water jet as a backdrop, we were able to admire the yachts as they prepared to ply the waters of Lake Geneva on the traditional course from Geneva to Bouveret and back again. On the start line, marked out by orange and yellow buoys, the crews of the fastest boats positioned themselves at the front of the fleet. Most of the sails were white or grey, although there were some with black, red or even more brightly coloured sails. At 10 a.m. precisely on Saturday 9 June, the start was announced by the third cannon (the first two sounded five and ten minutes before).
Not a breath of wind
Unlike last year’s regatta, which took place in a strong northerly, this anniversary edition had the opposite problem to contend with. Very light airs alternated with a complete absence of wind. There was no risk of our Hublot-branded caps flying away!
With weather more suited to sunbathing than sailing, the crews faced a conundrum: in the search for a favourable breeze, they were obliged to resort to different tactics. So there were no speed records this weekend (the mark of 05:01:50 set in 1994 by Peter Leuenberger’s Triga IV still stands), but patience and perseverance were rewarded. The Decision 35 Mobimo, skippered by Christian Wahl, conjured up an amazing burst of speed as he cruised into the Petit Lac, breaking the suspense with a winning time of 14:14:02, just after midnight on Sunday 10 June. The Okalys Youth Project (14:17:05), helmed by Arnaud Grange, came a close second. Alinghi, the 2017 winner, finished in fourth place with a time of 14:19:33, behind Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier (14:18:35).
Classic Fusion Chronograph Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2018
In addition to the large timing screens placed around the Geneva waterfront, Hublot also unveiled a special 80-piece limited edition watch, in reference to the 80th edition of the Bol d’Or Mirabaud.
The aesthetic of the Classic Fusion Chronograph Bol d’Or Mirabaud 2018 is inspired by the nautical world. Its blue ceramic case is a reminder of the waters of Lake Geneva, whose outline features on the watch back in the form of a sapphire window revealing part of the movement.
The dial is made of black carbon, a light, shock-resistant material also used in boat design. The applied markers and blue plated hands, as well as the chronograph counters, echo the case colour.
The watch is driven by the automatic calibre HUB1143, which beats at 28,800 vph and provides a power reserve of 42 hours. It is water resistant to 50 metres, and comes with a blue rubber and black carbon fibre strap with white topstitching.
For the 2018 football World Cup, official timekeeper Hublot has teamed up with WorldTempus
to organise a competition for all fans of football and watches.
See what you can win and how to enter
