Working backwards. Before the 2003 race my previous race was in 1975. Newport to Cowes, IOW. A Swan 48 named “Weald”. A fine sailing boat. We broke the headstay just off Nantucket in about 40 knots; the beginning of a strong low. We put into Marblehead and got a new headstay; restarted and managed to pass several boats.
Author: ws lirakis
a sailor who carries a camera
TRANSATLANTIC RACE 2003
This race was the second longest race I ever sailed. The start was once again in Newport, finishing in Hamburg, Germany. The course took us north of Ireland, Scotland and north of the Orkneys. Our time was 18 days 19 hours; I believe. Like every transatlantic race there are so many anecdotes that are associated with the race.
DRIVING A TRUCK
The 2005 Transatlantic race was organized for “big” boats. I sailed aboard “Tempest” the 80 foot ketch, around 125,000 lbs of displacement designed by Sparkman & Stephens; the second smallest boat in the race. I liked to tease that I earned my Chauffeurs license (driving an 18 wheeler). We were allowed help from off the boat, which meant we had a router; Pierre, was in Grenoble behind a computer and he really steered the boat. We won our class and I do not remember our overall position. Actually a great boat to sail, very sea-kindly. The finish was off the needles on the Isle of Wight. We finished in just under 14 days, I believe.
WORKING BACKWARDS
The 2011 Transatlantic race was very much the opposite of the 2015 race. 14 1/2 days instead of 11 1/2 days. A lot of frustrating light air. We still managed to hit 28 knots one day; however not nearly enough to overcome the light air. closing on the finish we were jibing every twenty minutes as the wind was shifting quite a bit. The finish was at the Lizard; which is pretty much a lovely field of cows grazing by the sea.
LONG DISTANCE SAILING
I have raced Dinghys, Big Boats around closed courses with bouys. I enjoyed it enormously. Distance racing is another thing altogether. You use what you learned around the bouys; this is where you are close to other boats and can tell if what you change is right or wrong. in the Ocean you have to have confidence that your choice is the right one. It is unlikely that there will be another boat against which to measure you choices.
I have raced across the Atlantic 9 times. the video below is the last race I sailed; and the quickest crossing ever; for me. I still smile at the memories evoked by the images. In order to have achieved this crossing we had a number of 300+ mile days.
MY LIFE IN BOATS
I assembled this a few years ago because even I forget some of the boats and events I sailed. Still fond memories; and still making more.
SIREN IN THE PANDEMIC
With the winches electrified we are able to sail the boat with 5. instead of 12-15. We miss the weight on the rail upwind, which is worth about 1/2 knot. The joy of being on the water was unmatched.
WEATHER CATCHING US
We completed a race and were headed south back to the mooring. the storm clouds were behind us. We could not quite outrun the squall.
NYYC INVITATIONAL CUP 2019
This past week the NYYC hosted the 2019 Invitational Cup in Newport, RI. 20 amateur teams racing the new IC37 class (designed by Mark Mills) over 4 days on Narragansett bay.
12 METER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019 DAY 3
THE LEADERBORD FOR THE 12 METER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS REMAINS TIGHT AND IN FLUX. THIS REGATTA WILL GO DOWN TO THE WIRE.
SATURDAY IS THE FINAL DAY OF RACING FOLLOWED BY THE PRIZE AWARDING.
