For me. this is an example of a boat ready to go and too much time on their hands.
Category: transatlantic
JUNE 27TH
We start on wednesday. My gear is loaded, I have been packed for longer than I care to admit. Snow Lion went back in the water today. Bottom faired and carefully wet sanded. I few details left which we will accomplish tomorrow; fuel, food, people.
We had a weather briefing this afternoon before the Perini Navi reception at Harbor Court. We have hope. A most pleasant evening overlooking Newport Harbor. If you look at the tracker, the first group is struggling with light air , headed in almost every point of the compass at some time.
FIRST SIX BOATS ARE OFF
The first start for the transatlantic race went off at 2pm on schedule in a 10 knot southerly wind and a flooding tide. Our start is scheduled for wednesday at 2pm.
As things are at the moment we may not have much more wind , just a different direction.
START DAY FOR THE FIRST GROUP
Today is the first start for the transatlantic race leaving Newport, RI to the Lizard, UK, at 2pm from Castle Hill. There are only six boats in this start, ranging from the 40′ “British Soldier “to the classic 86′” Nordwind”. Their start will be in a flood tide and a light southerly wind, and likely sunshine.
Our start is wednesday the largest class with 14 entries; again with a broad variety of boats. A swing keel Cookson 50, “Jazz”, two class 40 boats, a 66′ catamaran “Phaedo” and the 289′ “Maltese Falcon”.
On July 3rd the last group sets off. These boats, “Rambler 100”, “Leopard of London” will all still finish ahead of us despite having started 5 days after we leave.
For every boat routing is the key to doing well. Finding a weather pattern and being able to sail to the boat’s rating. If a boat can sail to it’s potential throughout the race, it should win.
POINT ALPHA
Point Alpha was finally revealed this evening at the skipper’s meeting. 46 20 n 51 w There are also some exclusion zones because of whales.
THEY ARE COMING TO SEE YOU
The departure time is closing in. The Skipper’s meeting is tomorrow evening. The inspection team was making the rounds today and I expect tomorrow. I hope you are ready.
TRANSATLANTIC RACE DEPARTURE COMING
The Skippers meeting for the Transatlantic race will be Friday evening. Three starts are scheduled. June 26, June 29 and July 3. Yellow Brick will provide tracking during the race. For those of you who might like to watch our every move, Register with Yellow Brick.
TRANSATLANTIC UPDATE
TRANSATLANTIC RACE 2011 PANEL TODAY
Today there will be a panel discussion hosted by Thomson Reuters about the upcoming transatlantic race from Newport, RI to the Lizard, Uk. An audio feed and live blog will be HERE.
Gary Jobson will moderate, John Rousmaniere, Reeves Potts, Bob Towbin, Larry Huntington, George David, and Chris Gartner will participate.
TRANSATLANTIC CLASSES
Our start (Snow Lion) is on June 29. As you can see it will be an active day. Once again “Zaraffa” will be in our class. She was in our class in the 2003 transatlantic race. I have told the story before; the day of our best 24 hour run at 275 miles , Zaraffa sailed 475 miles. Needless to say she beat us.
Once again our class will prove a challenging one. The big boats start July 3rd and will almost certainly arrive ahead of us. As you might imagine, each class will have it’s own unique set of weather conditions.