IN 2005-2006 LARRY HUNTINGTON BUILT A 50 FOOT JASON KER DESIGN AT NEB. LAUNCHED FOR THE 2006 BERMUDA RACE IN WHICH WE WON OUR CLASS.
Category: transatlantic 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.
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.
START TRANSATLANTIC RACE 2019
AT 11 AM JUNE 25 THE FIRST GUN FOR THE START OF THE 2019 TRANSATLANTIC RACE. 14 STARTERS IN THREE CLASSES. TRACKING AVAILABLE BY YELLOWBRICK
the weather will not be a repeat of our joyous ride in 2015. It will be more like the 2011 race with a big hole in the middle of the racecourse.
LARRY HUNTINGTON
No-one deserves to be nominated more than Larry Huntington. Sailor of the Month really does not justify the lifetime of Love of the Sea. Few have demonstrated a stronger commitment to sailing; particularly offshore long distance racing. His career spans wooden schooners to the latest carbon yachts.
CLICK HERE TO CAST A VOTE FOR LARRY.
another look at the 2015 transatlantic race:
MORE TRANSATLANTIC 2015
The remark at the end by Robin Knox-Johnson about having crossed the ocean 6 times with one of his crew. I have had the great privilege of having made 5 crossings with Jack Cummiskey, 3 with Larry Huntington. And crossings with so many of the other competitors; being that this was my 9th.
I am 8 years younger than Robin but Perhaps my last? Who knows.
ARE THERE ANY LIMITS?
I crossed the Atlantic in 11 1/2 days this summer. For someone of my generation this was special. I never expect to repeat this experience. But I am still on a slow boat in today’s world.
The America’s Cup will never go back to non foiling boats. I still predict that the next Olympics will have at least one foiling class, if not two. No one is looking back, unless it is to true classic yachts. That is for different reasons of beauty and elegance.
11 MEN, 11 DAYS TRANSATLANTIC RACE 2015
I am finally re-united with my computer; having just returned from the 2015 transatlantic race aboard “Snow Lion”. We crossed the ocean in 11 1/2 days. never a days run less than 250 miles. an extraordinary adventure.
BAND OF BROTHERS
I am about to start my 9th transatlantic race on 7 different boats. I have sailed with a number of people as a result; and have warm memories of each race, each boat, and each and every person.
It is a fraternity that one can only join by competing.
I had news a few days ago that another of that fraternity had died. Peter Van Dyke passed away. A loss to our group.
