Around Alone Leg 2 - Tiscali sets off again
by Mary Ambler 9 Nov 2002 19:50 GMT
Today at 5 o'clock GMT, the Italian Open 60 Tiscali in Class 1 of Around Alone 2002-03, left the port of "El Ferrol del Caudillo" in Northern Spain with skipper Simone Bianchetti at the helm, for Cape Town (South Africa), where she is expected in 30 days time.
Since 23rd October, the boat has been moored at the Spanish Naval base 15 miles North East of the commercial port of La Coruna, following her dismasting during the second leg of the Around Alone race.
Tiscali is able to set off once more on the race after the replacement of her mast with one made available by competitor and current leader Bernard Stamm, skipper of the Open 60 Bobst Group - Armor Lux, which was transported to Spain on the Hatherleigh trawler owned by Pindar, sponsors of Emma Richards. The boat has a suit of sails entirely customized to the new rig. Rain, with 25-30 knots of wind from the WSW heralded the boat's departure.
Work was also done on the electronics and three stanchions. The last sea test today gave positive results, and the rig underwent a final tuning before departure. The repairs were effected by the Tiscali shore team, led by Mauro Piani, with the support of the Spanish Navy and the valuable assistance of the following memebers of the Spanish Navy base: Jose S. Lopez De Sagredo, President of the CNR (Commision Naval de Regata El Ferrol), Francisco Sancez Barcaiztegui, Fleet Captain (CNR) and Don Juan J. Vazquez Aneidos, Contramaestre (CNR).
We will be speaking with Simone later to catch up on his life back on the water in racing mode, and from now on his race will be to get to Cape Town before the restart, now rescheduled for the 14th December.