Double Victory for Bernard Stamm in Leg 1 of Around Alone
Torbay, England 26th September
Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm has won Leg 1 of the Around Alone 2002-03. Sailing his Pierre Rolland designed Open 60 Bobst Group - Armor Lux, Stamm crossed the finish line off the Berry head Hotel in Torbay harbour at 15:33:38 local time (14:33:38 UTC). Throwing his arms into the air and smiling broadly Stamm looked tired but jubilant as he waved at the crowds assembled on the docks to welcome him in. Stamm clocks up 10 points as the Class 1 winner for Leg 1, and after starting from New York harbour at 16:00 hrs UTC on September 15th, after sailing 2,930 miles his elapsed time is 10 days 22 hours 33 minutes 38 seconds.
It has been two bites at the cherry for Stamm, who earlier this morning also established a new solo monohull transatlantic record when he passed Lizard Point off the southwest coast of England at 07:42:22 UTC (08:42:22 local time). His official time for the crossing from Ambrose Point to Lizard Point will be ratified by the World Speed Sailing Record Council later today, but his unofficial time was 10 days, 11 hours, 57 minutes and 19 seconds from Ambrose Light. His time will become a benchmark record for all future solo Atlantic crossings. A fast crossing for a single-hander compared to the crewed transatlantic record that he broke last year on the same boat, which was just 38 hours less at 8 days, 20 hours and 55 minutes.
“I am very excited to hold a new record and to win this first leg of the Around Alone race. My team and I have been preparing the boat for the last year and the hard work has paid off," he said. Stamm must be especially happy to step off the boat in Torbay after losing all his power from the on board electrics two days ago, forcing him to hand steer for the reindexder of the trip. "I am very tired from steering my boat by hand and looking forward to getting some rest, but now I am too excited to sleep. Maybe later."
Second place finisher is set to be Frenchman Thierry Dubois on Solidaires, who is due to arrive at around mid-night tonight. Thierry was disappointed not to have been able to close the gap on his friend Bernard after encountering light winds last night, and so was still 109 miles behind when Bernard finished. As Around Alone is won on points Thierry nevertheless is happy to be taking the second spot on the podium. Who knows which boat in Class 1 will end up on in third as it is a four boat race between Tiscali, Garnier, Hexagon and Pindar…more on this drama later, but these boats will be arriving in Torbay over this weekend.
Watch the finishes in Torbay
The finish line for the yachts is off the Berry head Hotel in Brixham. The boats will cross the line and then be towed into the pontoons at the Brixham Yacht Club. From there the skipper will be escorted to the public platform in the Race Village at the Brixham Yacht Club to hold interviews and be welcomed by the Torbay community.
ENDS
Event Calendar in Torbay (all times are local):
30th September Reflex 38 South Western Championships in Torbay
09:00 – 16:00
1st – 15th October Five historic yachts will be berthed at the Brixham Yacht Club,
including Jester, Lively Lady, Suhaili, British Steel and Group 4
5th October Red Devils Parachute Display in Torbay
16:30
5th October Herald Express Dinner, Imperial Hotel, Torquay
19:00 For tickets email: mpugh@westcountrypublications.co.uk
11th October Press Conference & Photocall at the Berry head Hotel, where the
11:30 – 12:30
skippers are introduced to the media
11th October House of Commons and House of Lords Sailing Challenge
11:00 Reflex 38 yachts
11th October FICO lunch at the Berry head Hotel – media requesting invitations
12:30 – 14:00 are to contact Mary Ambler via email by October 7th:
mambler@clipper-ventures.com
11th October Around Alone Awards Dinner, Imperial Hotel, Torquay
19:00 – 00:00 Please contact Louise Knight for tickets:
lknight@paramount-hotels.co.uk
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Alle Fotos Copyright: www.marinepics.com
Pierre Rolland designed Open 60 Bobst Group - Armor Lux
In Rekordzeit über den Atlantik
Erster an der Ziellinie in Torbay
Champagner für den Doppelsieg
Thierry Dubois Zweiter in Torbay
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