BP Explorer wins Round Britain & Ireland Challenge 2004
by Rachel Anning 11 Jun 2004 20:09 BST
BP Explorer, skippered by David Melville, has won the Round Britain & Ireland Challenge 2004, crossing the line at 08:31BST this morning after 11 days and 20 hrs.
In an amazing final 24 hours, BP Explorer snatched the lead from Kunachi, Skippered by Amedeo Sorrentino, and after over 2000 miles of racing, took victory by the amazingly narrow margin of just 24 minutes.
During the night the two teams had been locked in a relentless tacking duel, where the yachts were often just yards apart. Both crews were exhausted, yet jubilant as they came into Ocean Village to the shouts and cheers of their friends, families and supporters.
In third place at 10:18 (finish time) was Team Seven, followed by Barclays Adventurer at 14:12. At the time of writing race organiser, Challenge Business is currently waiting for SAIC, The Firm, Save the Children and Besso to finish, all of which are due in the next few hours
It has been a hard fought race for all the crews, at times the winds and seas whipping the crews into shape whereas at other times the crews have been crippled by lack of wind, the high pressure keeping us all basked in sunshine in the UK yet making for some very slow sailing offshore!
When BP Explorer arrived into Ocean Village she arrived to rapturous applause from friends, families and supporters. As she was tied up to the pontoon the skipper jumped ashore to hug his wife and his young son, who was born shortly before the start of the race.
As soon as Kunachi arrived into Ocean Village, David was the first person to congratulate skipper Amadeo Sorrentino, in true sportsman like style. Amadeo was then whisked off in a waiting car to be driven to Stanstead Airport for a flight to Italy and a reunion with his wife and first sight of his newborn son, Virilio 'Alfio' Sorrentino, who came into the world at the first waypoint - 'Alpha'!
Simon Walker, Challenge Business managing director comments: 'This has been a great race, with close match racing right up to the end. It's been tough for the crews but unbelievably exciting for them and those held captivated on shore.'
The race has proved to be such a success that Challenge Business now plans to run the event again next year, most probably in October.