Oceanracing 2002 - Around Alone, das Highlight des Jahres

14th October, 2002
Torbay, England
20:30 local time: The wind has died and the fleet has slowed down. Bobst Group still holds a commanding lead, but the night is still young.
16:30 local time: Bruce Schwab on Ocean Planet has started the race. Bruce was towed from the dock out to the start area. He hoisted his sails and sailed for the mark of the course in the bay. The wind has died making his progress slow, but finally the whole fleet is underway.
Original story: What a difference a day makes. Yesterday Tor Bay was whipped white from gale force winds that lashed the coast; today it was a perfect postcard as the fleet of Around Alone yachts set sail for South Africa. The day could not have been better with a light northerly wind blowing and sunny skies above. The northerly wind brought a chill to the air, but nothing could detract from the festive atmosphere as the eleven yachts sailed a short leg across the bay, and then set a course for the northwest corner of France. Only Ocean Planet reindexed at the dock while skipper Bruce Schwab finished some last minute details.
A large spectator crowd gathered on the breakwater off Brixham harbor to cheer the fleet on while an equally large armada of boats chased the yachts across the bay and out into the Atlantic. Atop Berry head a large group of enthusiastic spectators waved British flags and cheered Pindar as Emma Richards guided her boat close inshore. The steep cliffs provided a spectacular backdrop for the colorful sails.
When the start gun fired it was Derek Hatfield that stole the show. With a burst of speed Spirit of Canada shot out into the lead and held onto the top spot for the first few miles until the larger boats powered on by. First it was Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group-Armor lux that rolled the smaller Canadian entry, and then Thierry Dubois on Solidaires did the same. It was plain to see that Bernard and Thierry looked set to battle each other all the way to Cape Town. Neither skipper was giving an inch and the close racing continued until the first mark. In a spectacular display the yachts crossed tacks within feet of each other right at the mark with the Italian entry Tiscali sliding in between the two to add to the excitement and drama. The first three yachts rounded within seconds of each other. It was as if the boats were out for an afternoon of round-the-buoys racing, not a marathon to Africa.

Derek Hatfield managed to hold onto to fourth place and rounded the mark first in Class 2. There is an intensity about this Canadian sailor that has his rivals sailing larger yachts concerned. It takes more than waterline length to win a race; it takes a professional approach and a fast boat and Derek has both. Despite the conditions that suited the Open 50s, Spirit of Canada was still in the lead when the fleet passed a northerly transit off Berry head, and by doing so Derek, as the first non-sponsored entry, won a 1000 pound sterling prize donated by a member of the Brixham Yacht Club.
Once the fleet had rounded the mark they eased sheets and set a course that would take them across the English Channel towards France and the notorious Bay of Biscay, and then beyond to the Southern hemisphere. It’s going to be a tough few days for the yachts. The idyllic sailing will not last long as another cold front is fast approaching from the west forecast to bring strong southerly winds. For now though the weather could not be better. With large sails set the fleet were heading south at speed. Bernard Stamm kicked his yacht into gear and within a half hour had proceeded to leave the pack in his wake. His dark blue yacht reveled in the conditions while the small, wiry sailor darted around the deck checking sail trim and eking as much speed as possible from his boat. The second group were dead level sailing in a line. For a while Emma Richards on Pindar, sailing close to the coast, appeared to have an edge, and at other times Graham Dalton on Hexagon, sailing offshore, looked like he was in second place. As the leaders sailed over the horizon it was too close to call the second place yacht, but the stage has been set for a close duel.
In Class 2 Tim Kent on Everest Horizontal overtook Spirit of Canada and was holding a slim edge over Brad van Liew on Tommy Hilfiger Freedom America. Both yachts were sailing at speed with Code 0’s making good distance on the rest of Class 2. It should be an easy evening for the fleet, including Ocean Planet who was due to leave the dock later this afternoon.
Brian Hancock great.circle@verizon.net