After the visit of the commander and officers of the 'Zenobe Gramme' to WSC on Saturday night, our temporary members from Team France were invited aboard this lovely ketch for a visit to sample Belgian beer and tour the ship, which celebrates its 50th birthday this year.
At 29 metres, 136 tons, built entirely of wood with a sail area of 300 square metres, the Zenobe Gramme is a far cry from minimum-weight fibreglass Olympic dinghies, but team members found much to discuss with the permanent and trainee crew members.
The international flavour of the evening continued with dinner 'chez les Portugais', where four countries were represented, and conversation was conducted in as many languages, and Jeremie (FRA 470) demonstrated his considerable talents as a pianist, while Nicolas and Rubrio shared their secret vinaigrette recipes..
(Note: Zenobe Gramme was a Belgian inventor who developed the electric dynamo.)
Steve Fraser
Submitted on 24th May 2011