Category: transatlantic 2011

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.

weather for first start
weather for our start on wednesday

As things are at the moment we may not have much more wind , just a different direction.

4 hours after the start

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.

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 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 RACE DEADLINE EXTENDED AND THE NEW PTARMIGAN

Jason Ker has certainly evolved in his thinking since he designed “Snow Lion” in 2005

NEW KER 44 PTARMIGAN

Increased Interest Prompts Extension of Transatlantic Race Entry Deadline to March 31

New York, NY, March 3, 2011 — The organizers of the Transatlantic Race 2011 (TR 2011), the Royal Yacht Squadron, New York Yacht Club, Royal Ocean Racing Club and Storm Trysail Club, have extended the deadline to enter the Race  to March 31, 2011. With the transatlantic fleet now over 30 entries and many new inquiries following the success of the RORC Caribbean 600 – part of the companion Atlantic Ocean Racing Series – the organizers encourage those interested to enter the TR 2011 as soon as possible to secure a spot since the Notice of Race notes a maximum of 50 yachts for the Race.

The TR 2011 will cover 2,975 miles from Newport, R.I., to the Lizard in England. The focus of pre-race activities will be the New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court clubhouse in Newport, R.I. There will be three staggered starts from June 26 to July 3. The awards ceremony on August 9th and other post-race activities will be held at the Castle, the home of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, England.

The fleet will include IRC Racing, IRC Racer/Cruiser, Classic and Open divisions with a minimum length overall (LOA) of 40 feet and no maximum. Competition is building within several segments of the diverse fleet, notably the 100’ and up range which includes Sojana, Rambler 100, ICAP Leopard, and Maltese Falcon.

Tight racing is also expected in other classes and divisions, such as yachts in the under 50’ range in IRC Racing and IRC Racer/Cruiser including the Class 40s – Concise 2, Dragon, and Kamoa’e, the Rogers 46s – Shakti and Varuna, as well as British Soldier ASA, Jacqueline IV, Sasha, Dawn Star, and Carina. For a complete list of entries click here.

Prospective entrants in the TR 2011 will find the Notice of Race here and the Entry Form here. Entry forms should be returned as soon as possible – but no later than March 31, 2011 – to sailingoffice@nyyc.org.  All race documents are available at www.transatlanticrace.org.

The TR 2011 is the centerpiece of the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series (AORS), and is organized in concert with the following clubs: Royal Malta Yacht Club, Annapolis Yacht Club, Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Montego Bay Yacht Club, Naval Academy Sailing Squadron, Jamaica Yachting Association, Antigua Yacht Club and Real Club Nautico de Sanxenxo.

Two races in the AORS have been completed: the Pineapple Cup – Montego Bay Race and the RORC Caribbean 600. The Pineapple Cup, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to Montego Bay, Jamaica, a distance of 811 miles, was won by Genuine Risk, a 97-foot canting keel super maxi skippered by Hugo Stenbeck. In the RORC Caribbean 600, George David’s Rambler 100, took line and overall IRC honors and set the monohull record of one day, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 2 seconds for the course’s 600 miles.

In addition to the TR 2011, upcoming races in the AORS are the Annapolis to Newport Race (June 3); Rolex Fastnet Race (August 14); Biscay Race (September 11-12) and Rolex Middle Sea Race (October 22).

Interest in competing for the Series has been increasing rapidly with nearly half of the TR 2011 entries planning to compete for the AORS. Of the seven races in the Atlantic Ocean Racing Series, three races including the Transatlantic Race 2011 must be completed to qualify. Races will be weighted equally with the exception of the Transatlantic Race 2011, which will be weighted 1.5 times. Cox-Sprague points will be awarded within individual races in the series to accommodate differences in fleet sizes. A yacht will be scored in the series using its two best finishes in addition to the Transatlantic Race 2011. Awards for the AORS will be presented in November, 2011 at the New York Yacht Club’s Annual Awards Dinner in New York.

Contacts at the organizing clubs are:

Brad Dellenbaugh

New York Yacht Club

+1(401) 845-9633

dellenbaugh@nyyc.org

Trish Lewington

Royal Yacht Squadron

+44 (0)1983 292191

mail@rys.org.uk

Ian Loffhagen

Royal Ocean Racing Club

+ 44 (0)207 493 2248

racing@rorc.org.uk

Marcy Trenholm

Storm Trysail Club

+1(914) 834-8857

stormtry@aol.com

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Newport Shipyard – official sponsor of the TR 2011

Home to the America’s Cup for half a century, Newport continues to be one of the most sought after yacht harbors in the USA. Rich in yachting history, Newport is home to the best sailors, best boats and is ground zero for major yachting events. Newport Shipyard brings all this together on Newport Harbor, including Belle’s Cafe, a gym, and the can-do attitude the Shipyard is known for. This year the magnificent J’s from the 30’s will base at the Shipyard for a summer regatta, major Transatlantic Race contenders will visit before they depart, and the 25th anniversary of the Bucket will call the Shipyard home.

For downtown dockage, lifts and a dedicated workforce, look no more. www.NewportShipyard.com