Alfa Romeo set to finish Rolex Fastnet Race later today
by RORC Press Office 12 Aug 2003 17:23 BST
With the eagerly anticipated arrival of the first boat in the 2003 Rolex Fastnet due later today, excitement is mounting in Queen Anne’s Battery Marina, Plymouth. Alpha Romeo, Neville Crichton’s massive Reichel/Pugh and others in the ‘big boat’ classes will no doubt take the limelight over the next couple of days but it is the majority of the fleet of 246 boats whose news and arrival later this week is also welcomed by friends, families and other crews.
The marina and race village are gearing up to welcome around 2,000 yachtsmen as well as hundreds of visitors who will arrive to see the spectacle of such a large number of yachts. The main focus for crews as they head ashore will probably be the local hostelry ‘Chandlers’ who are situated beside the dockside area and will be open 24 hours a day.
Several boats have been sending in email reports and messages providing us with a day-by-day account of life on board during the 608 mile race:-
Double handers, Donald Wilks and Kieron O’Connel competing in their Mills 36 in Class Zero - Thunder II – reported at 1730 yesterday evening. “It is hell in the Channel” said co-skipper Kieron O'Connell, we are having an abominable time somewhere off the Eddystone. 15 knots at 60 apparent, 9 knots boat speed – ‘Golden sector’ sailing! This morning at 0958 they had 74 miles to the Rock.
Mike Broughton, who provided the in-depth weather analysis and update at the Skipper’s Briefing before the start in Cowes called in at lunchtime today to report rounding the Fastnet Rock and a sighting of the brand new Farr 65 Hugo Boss behind them. Racing aboard Chris Bull’s J-145 Jazz, the crew are contemplating rations for the remainder of their race, with Pot Noodles seeming to be the order of the day!
Harry Heijst’s and his Dutch crew aboard Winsome also reported in yesterday evening that: “Everything on board was in good order, including the food and crew. We are finally reaching good speeds after anchoring in what should now be known as the ‘Anchor in the Fastnet Race’.
Daily log reports and life aboard the Dutch yacht Zwerver can be found on: www.zwerver.org .
The Farr 50 Chernikeeff racing for charity with an all-girl crew, which includes current holders of the Fastnet double handed record - Lorna Graham and Jo Burchell, are also having a good race and are currently approaching the Lizard. They should also be very pleased with themselves as this morning a 3½ minute programme was aired on Meridian Television highlighting their fundraising efforts during the Rolex Fastnet Race for the Naomi House Children’s Hospice in Winchester.
Hugh Thompson, the Fundraising Manager for the Hospice says: “On behalf of all of us here at Naomi House, I would just like to thank all the team on Chernikeeff for their tremendous fundraising efforts. To date, they have raised nearly £40,000 and we all hope that they are appreciating the experience! We look forward to welcoming them back soon.” For more information about Naomi House, please visit: www.naomihouse.org.uk or call 01962 843513.
Latest news from the front runners: Alpha Romeo and Zephyrus are currently involved in some very close match racing off the Lizard and are 400 metres apart going 5 knots through the water. They will also be racing against the tides and are not expected to arrive at the finish until late afternoon/early evening. At 13.37 Alpha Romeo was a fraction ahead, passing Bass Point followed at 13.41 by Zephyrus V.
Watch this space for updates...
HELLOMOTO CLOCKED AROUND THE ROCK
At a little after 2 o'clock in the early hours of this morning, HELLOMOTO reached the Fastnet Rock in the company of Mike Golding's Open-60, Ecover. At that time, HELLOMOTO was lying in a remarkable 5th place, having made up ground on the leading boats throughout the night.
"Passing the Rock was an uplifting moment - another little victory", said co-skipper Conrad Humphreys. "We've really had to grit it out. Keeping concentration in what are very frustrating conditions for the crew is far from easy and our performance is a great credit to them".
From the Fastnet Rock, HELLOMOTO continued west to a temporary mark, laid to prevent collision with boats still outbound to the Rock, before turning for home.
"I've no doubt that it will be a difficult, final 150 miles", continued Conrad. "We can't see any boats ahead and I think we've managed to gain yet another place. But we've recently headed northeast in search of wind and right now, we're stuck in a hole. I've just come down from the top of the mast and there's not a ripple anywhere. It's just like the Doldrums - let's pray for a squall!"
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