HSH Nordbank Blue Race - Finish News

The Irish Chieftain was the second yacht to cross the finish line of the HSH Nordbank blue race off Cuxhaven, Germany on Tuesday afternoon. She continued to Hamburg in the evening. Outsider awaited her competitor in the safe waters of the city marina. The main part of the fleet is now labouring forward in unfavourable wind, fighting for the best ranks.

Hamburg, 4 July 2007 – The Chieftain crew crossed the finish line like they had crossed the North Atlantic – hiking the rail. Bearded and battered the team patted skipper Ger O´Rourke on the shoulder after finishing their journey across the big Pond in 16 days, 14 hours, 57 minutes and four seconds. Their goal had been to make it in 14 days. Nonetheless, eleven happy guys jumped onto the pontoon in Cuxhaven, made fast their ship and continued by throwing each other into the water. "When I go, you go," the skipper tried to prevent his saltwater bath, and took three of his crew with him.

"It’s good to be here," beamed the 44-year old building contractor. His guess was to arrive two days earlier, but patchy winds to the North of Scotland made him lose valuable time. The first thing he wanted after taking the involuntary bath was a hot shower. His crew preferred cold beer and instantly devoured a pack of sweets, as food had become rather scarce during the last days at sea. Stocks had run down. Mark Tighe (29), boatman of the Chieftain: "It was a good race, and we were close on the heels of the Outsider until the Shetland Islands. We never got bored, but told each other long stories when hiking the rail,“ said Tighe. „Now I’m looking forward to Hamburg’s Reeperbahn.“

Kevin Trautmann from Durban, South Africa, has crossed the Atlantic many times, but this was the first time he did it in a race. "And that’s quite a difference," said the tall man, who missed the usual beds and the comfort, but it was the constant noise he had to get used to most. "Now I think I know what it feels like to roll down a hill in a 44-gallon barrel," said Trautmann comparing the hammering and rolling of the ship.

The course from Newport/Rhode Island (USA) to the estuary of the German River Elbe made them sail 3600 gruelling miles on the northern course, leaving Great Britain to starboard.

While the Rambler is catching up from behind, and Grey Goose is trying to defend it’s new goal of being the third yacht to cross the HSH Nordbank blue race finish line. Norddeutsche Vermögen Hamburg and Bank von Bremen are still engaged in a close fight for the better rank. And some of the fleet have yet to round the way mark north of Scotland – in unfavourable winds. Rambler shows her imposing potential rushing through the fleet. The 90-foot yacht of American George David only started in the second group on 23 June - a week after the main part of the fleet. She is now on position four of the position leader board.

Grey Goose of Tobias König, whose company König & Cie is also a partner of the race, has to speed up. The original intention of her 16 crew members had been to challenge Outsider and win line honours. Sail damage; however, forced them to lower their expectations last week. Now the Swan 82 seems to be back on track, and hopes to bet he race’s third yacht to cross the line. It will be hard work for her, as Rambler is chasing close on her heels. The two club yachts Norddeutsche Vermögen Hamburg and Bank von Bremen are also fighting for the better rank on the last miles across the North Sea.

Meeno Schrader, the race meteorologist from Kiel comments: “The low named “Winfried” will be crossing the North Sea from England on Wednesday, but with a light wind zone stretching over to Jutland. So finding the right wind will be a difficult job."