As a devoted reader of my blog you may know that I am not only an ex-owner of a First 27 SE but also an almost-buyer of the First 36. I have a deep connection with the boats made by Seascape in Slovenia and albeit my purchase decision went for a completely different yacht in the end, I am still convinced that a First, made by people like Andraz, Kristian, Sam, Lorenzo & Co, is the best choice for any sailor who is looking for a fast, safe and fun boat that combines easy planning with cruising comforts.
In this, I am still closely connected to the Seascape community, which is second to none in the boating world. One of the flamboyant names is Milan Tomek. The Czech is also a dedicated owner of a First 27 SE himself and a regular regatta contender, participating in the most prestigious names of sailboat racing. Having won the Silverrudder in 2023, he also completed the Fastnet multiple times, Jabuka, Centomiglia and others. But one stunt of his remains to bear a very special aura: His win of the Middle Sea Race in 2024. It´s as crazy as sailing can get, I promise!
Middle Sea Race? Sure, why not!?
As the story goes, Milan and his close friend, Czech sailor Milan Kolacek, at one point decided that it would be a fun thing to attend the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Both are very experienced and skilled skippers. Milan Kolacek is even about to become the first Vendée Globe-contender for the Czech Republic ever. Albeit owning the First 27 SE himself, Milan and Milan wanted to go for a bigger boat. As he already had done a pretty wet Fastnet Race with the First 36 himself (here´s the article about this race, told from the perspective of Seascape boss Andraz Mihelin), this seemed quite a nice idea. And they quickly found one: A charter boat in Greece.
With the last charter-family coming off the yacht after a fun sailing vacation, Milan and Milan took over the boat right away. Nothing special about this one, as Miland assures: It was just a pretty regular First 36 in standard configuration. No racing optimization whatsoever, no special equipment. It was a boat, as Milan tells me, „well equipped indeed and kept in a very good condition.“ As both knew, that immediately after the Middle Sea Race the next party was already preparing to take her on their vacational fast cruising trip, this was a kind of „booster“ for the morale to sail as fast as possible. Anyway, messing around in one of the big, big names of sailboat-racing with a chartered boat … that either takes some balls or a significant portion of craziness. I guess, maybe both.
Because, the race was about to become as tough as it can get. Milan says that although the start took place in nice and moderate conditions, shit began to hit the fan pretty soon thereafter: A grown-up storm ravaged the starting field, causing a good third of the whole fleet to abandon the race and return to safe harbor. „It was pretty tough!“, Milan tells me: „All around us the high wind speeds and building seastate caused lots of trouble for many crews.“ Gennakers blew, some masts came down as well. A bloodbath, but no wonder: Milan clocked gusts peaking with up to 70 knots! This surely would be called „severe conditions“ even down in the Roaring Fourties … For the history books, the 2024 edition of the Middle Sea Race entered as one of the toughest in many years.
Nevertheless, Milan and Milan managed to cope with those stormy conditions. Moreover, they could even pick up speed, keep a good pace and even make good ground over a lot of contestants. „It was absolutely rewarding to see how incredibly well the boat could cope with these circumstances“, says Milan. So, what´s the secret of the „Twin Milans“ then? He smiles, no magic indeed, at least for him: „The key to easy, safe, yet powerful sailing in planning mode is control and balance. The First 36 is so incredibly well-designed in terms of hull shape and sail plan, that she remains stable and responsive even at high speeds.“ And apparently, also in such adverse conditions.
„What sets this boat apart from others I´ve tried is its ability to plane early – without ever becoming overwhelming. Plus, you don’t need a full pro crew, just good trim and focus.“ Milan says that this boat even forgives mistakes, but immediately rewards good sailing. „That’s rare!“ Sounds a bit over-exaggerating? Well, Milan raced Figaro 2, M37, JP54, even the legendary VO 70 and all Pogos from 12.50 to the small 30, 36 and the bigger Pogo 44 and 50. He is also one of the few people I know having tried the Ofcet 32. So, I guess, his word means something.
Winning in a chartered boat, that´s even slightly offending …
In the end, the two racing Milans arrived with a glorious double-win. Finishing after five days and almost 15 hours, both are pretty worn down, but cheerful and really proud. They should be: Winning both the IRC Double Handed category and the ORC Class 5 is a huge thing! More than 14 hours (before correction) faster than the second place, a Nautor´s Swan 47, and arriving more than 16 hours earlier than the third place, a Jeanneau SunFast 3300, speaks volumes.
„It is so cool to prove that even a regular boat, if sailed well, can win one of the world’s most prestigious offshore races!“, Milan says. I´d say it´s also a bit offending, in a funny way. But in essence, it nicely and very impressively shows the potentials of this design. And I am personally very happy to see that my initial buying decision of what would be my next new boat was pretty spot on: Because, even if the First 36 is a boat that offers all the amenities, volume and comforts of a true family cruiser, she remains a thoroughbred racing yacht that can indeed push limits. Milan and Milan´s crazy Middle Sea story proves this. „Besides the boat, what made the difference was the teamwork, preparation, and smart tactical decisions throughout the race. But because we knew that we had a reliable and capable boat, we were able to fully focus on clean maneuvers, precise sail trim, and choosing the right weather windows.“ Well, it paid off, I´d say. So, which stunt is your next, you crazy twin Milan double?
Pictures with kind permission of Milan Tomek
Like to read more about the First 36? Here are some more articles:
Discovering the First 36 inside and outside
Visiting the First 36 production in the Seascape shipyard in Slovenia
POV: Why I wanted to go for the First 36 becoming my own new sailboat