
This 298-foot classic three-masted schooner designed by Gerard Dijkstra & Partners and built at Royal Huisman in Alustar aluminum for an American client was finally sailing at the end of September. The fore-, main-, and mizzenmasts were all built in aluminum by Rondal; the topsails can be furled in the mast while all the lowers furl into carbon booms. All deck hardware was custom-built by Rondal with Dyneema and Vectran line from Gleistein. After builder’s trials off Amsterdam, Athena sailed to the Mediterranean where these photographs were taken. Royal Huisman Shipyard BV, Flevoweg 1, Box 23,8325 ZG, Vollenove, Netherlands; tel. 011-315-27-243-131. www.royalhuisman.com