26.06.2006
Beecom Start Recorded at Golden Gate Bridge
News from the SCYE Syndicate
Photography, Video and Audio: available rights free at www.superyachting.com
With a Touch of the Dramatic, Fog Clears for Yacht’s Pacific Challenge Start
26 June 2006, Sydney, Australia and Annapolis, Maryland: On Sunday, 25 June 2006 at 16:18:29 PDT (23:18:29 GMT), Japanese sailing yacht Beecom—a 72’ Reichel Pugh designed sloop—made her start in an attempt to set a new WSSRC crewed monohull special category Transpac record from San Francisco, United States to Yokohama, Japan. As though on cue, a two-day fog bank dramatically cleared just in time for WSSRC timekeeper, Shama Kota-Gutheti, to observe and record the start. Officially, the start line is located under the Golden Gate Bridge at 37°49.2 N - 122°28.65 W.
In an impressive display of helmsmanship, Beecom owner and skipper, Isao Mita, steered his way through a maze of weekend sailors. With news helicopters on hand to film the start, excitement was clearly the order of the day. Challenge crew member, Kazuhiro Nishimura who just completed the record-breaking San Francisco-Yokohama Challenge aboard Geronimo, commented about his new race, “It was really great to be aboard Geronimo last time but for me, being on this Japanese yacht is exciting in a different way. First, she’s a monohull and the challenges will be different. Second, my teammates are from home and as we approach the Japanese coast, the exhilaration will be even greater.
“Of course, we’ll have to use everything we know about sailing the tricky waters heading into the finish line at Joshima Lighthouse in order to be successful. We’re sailing in July which is typhoon season. And, we’re trying to set a record into one’s homeland which makes it a different kind of pressure than trying to beat a long-standing record as we did aboard Geronimo,” Nishimura continued.
Joining the Japanese yacht and crew is David Munday, a New Zealander. Known for his weather eye and a knack for precise navigation, he talked about Beecom’s route and expected conditions for the days ahead. “While we’d envisioned a northerly route, it looks like, at 10 miles out, we’ve got light offshore winds until at least about 80 miles out. We then expect to pick up reasonable norwesterlies which will let us get moving. At this point, we’re thinking about taking the more southerly route although if needed we’ll change the navigation plan.
“What’s exciting about sailing this kind of yacht is that the weather plays into the moment-to-moment navigation plan in such a demanding way. From the coast of the United States all the way into the complex current and wind patterns along Japan, we have to keep our eyes out. I talked to some of Geronimo’s crew and this was precisely what they said they did. Keep an eye out. Always,” said Munders.
With an estimated 3-week challenge at hand, Beecom will issue communications every few days to keep the sailing community apprised of her progress. For enthusiasts of moment-to-moment tracking to see where and how the yacht is doing, SARS well be available on both Beecom and SYCE web sites within 48 hours (www.teambeecom.jp and www.superyachting.com).
More About: The record to establish: San Francisco (USA) - Yokohama (Japan)
More About: Beecom
Sail number: Jpn 5535
Rig: sloop
LOA (ft.): 72.00
Draft (ft): 12.8
Beam (ft): 16.4
Hull color: Blue
Yacht Club: Tokyo Bay Sailing Club
Hailing port: Road Harbour, B.V.I
Designer: Reichel-Pugh
Class or type: R/P 72
Builder: Marten Yachts
Where built: New Zealand
Year launched: 2004
Owner/Skipper: Isao Mita
More About: SYCE
In the Pacific Rim sailing arena, SYCE is the singular organization providing pivotal support services to owners, teams and yachts. Services include but are not limited to event and maritime logistics, transportation and accommodations, communications and exposure (TV, photo, press and public relations), Web support, partner, sponsor and supplier participation, and the selection of technical suppliers. Superyachting Challenge Events handles every rudimentary detail leaving sailors the task of sailing to world records.
SYCE Contact
Rob Stirling
Tel: + 612 9929 1455
AUS Mobile:+ 61 (0)433157319
USA MOBILE: + 619 203 2787
Fax: 612 9929 5711
rob@superyachting.com
rob@pacificrimmaritime.com.au
robs@protectoraustralia.com
Strategic Partner-Media Support
Europe Contact: Rivacom
Tel +33 (0)6 08 51 42 53 Fax +33 (0)2 98 43 68 01
Vincent Caumes: vincent@rivacom.fr
Web Sites
Yacht (BeeCom) Site: www.teambeecom.jp
Superyachting Challenge Site: www.superyachting.com
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